Cellular Biology and Adaptation Flashcards
8 Specialized Functions of a Cell
- Movement
- Conductivity
- Metabolic Absorption
- Secretion
- Excretion
- Respiration
- Reproduction
- Communication
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Movement
- Muscle cells can generate forces that produce motion
- Cardiac, muscle, and blood vessel contraction
- White blood cells (WBC’s) are able to travel to the site of the infection through this function
Conductivity
- The capacity of living cells to transmit a wave of electrical disturbance from one point to another within the body
- Occurs as a response to a stimulus manifested by waves of excitation, an electrical potential that passes along the surface of the cell to reach other parts
- Occurs due to the presence of ions and mobile polar molecules within the system
- Chief function of the nerve cells
- Present in nerve cells and the electrical conduction system of the heart
Metabolic Absorption
- A function of the cell that allows all cells to take in and use nutrients and other substances from their surroundings
- Occurs in the intestine and renal tubules
Secretion
- A process by which substances are produced and discharged from a cell, gland or organ for a particular function in the organism or for excretion
- Certain cells can synthesize new substances from substances they absorb and then secrete the new substances to serve as needed elsewhere
- Ex) Hormone producing cells; Pancreas; Sex Organs; Pituitary Trophiv Hormones
Excretion
- All cells can rid themselves of waste products resulting from the metabolic breakdown of nutrients
- Lysosomes within cells contain enzymes that break down or digest large molecules, turning them into waste products that are released from the cell
- Occurs in the renal tubules
Respiration
- The process by which cells break down glucose to release the energy they contain in order to power other chemical processes
- Aerobic or Anaerobic
Cellular (Aerobic) Respiration/Oxidation
- The process that releases energy by breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide, water and energy
- Occurs in mitochondria
Fermentation (Anaerobic) Respiration
- The chemical process by which molecules such as glucose are broken down without the presence of oxygen
- Regenerates NAD+ so glycolysis can continue
- Can lead to the build up of toxins due to lack of O2
Reproduction
- Process by which cells duplicate their contents and then divide to yield multiple cells with similar, if not duplicate contents
- Not all cells are capable of continuous division (Nerve, muscle, and retina cells can not regenerate)
- Tissue growth occurs as cells enlarge and divide themselves
- Even without growth, tissue maintenance requires that new cells be produced to replace cells that are lost normally through cellular death
Cell Cycle
G1, S, G2, M
Can last 12-24 hours
Mitosis
Cell division that results in two daughter cells that each have same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent
Prophase
first appearance of chromosomes
* Each chromosome has 2 identical halves called chromatids
Metaphase
Chromosome line up in the middle of the cell and chromosomes are arranged in an orderly fashion
Anaphase
Chromosomes pulled to opposite sides of the cell