Cellular Biology Flashcards
What is the smallest unit of life?
The cell
What are the two types of cell?
Prokaryotes (bacteria are an example of prokaryotic cells)
Eukaryotes (animals and plants both are made up of eukaryotic cells)
List 3 differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells?
1) Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus. This means their DNA is enclosed by a membrane (the nuclear envelope)
2) Prokaryotes have a single chromosome to hold all their DNA. This chromosome is circular and is ‘naked’. Eukaryotes have multiple chromosomes for example humans have 23 pairs. The chromosomes are linear
3) Prokaryotes have smaller ribosomes (70S). Eukaryotes have ribosomes that are 80S
4) Prokaryotes have no organelles. Eukaryotes do.
5) Prokaryotes have a cell made up of peptidoglycan. Not all eukaryotes have a cell wall - plants do have one, but it is made up of cellulose.
There are many other examples and these are just for illustration
What is the function of the plasma membrane?
The membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that allows selective permeability. This means the cell can control what comes in and what leaves the cell.
What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
The rough endoplasmic reticulum has many ribosomes on it and is important in the process of protein synthesis (aka translation)
What do ribosomes do?
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis (aka translation) in which mRNA is converted to protein
What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
The site of lipid synthesis
What is the function of the golgi apparatus?
Golgi apparatus are a number of membranous sacs that are involved in modifying proteins if they are to be secreted out of the cell (i.e. released out of the cell such as hormones)
What is the function of the lysosome?
Lysosomes are vesicles important in degradation of material taken up by the cell for example digestion of bacteria
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus houses all the genetic information of the cell - it is where the chromosomes lie
What is the function of the nucleolus?
The nucleolus is the site in which ribosomes are produced
What is the function of chloroplasts?
Chloroplasts are only found in plants and are the site of photosynthesis
What is the function of mitochondria?
Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration
What is the function of the nuclear envelope?
The nuclear envelope is continuous with the rough ER. The nuclear envelope encloses the genetic information and separates it from the cytoplasm
List the constituent biomolecules of membranes
Phospholipids, Proteins Glycolipids Glycoproteins Cholesterol
