Cellular Level Flashcards
What are found on the surface or outside of cells?
Cilia or Flagella
What are cilia?
Cilia are tiny hair-like arms that moves objects, debris, or cells.
What is flagella?
Flagella are long whip-like tails that are involved in the locomotion of cells.
What are the functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane or plasma membrane’s functions are:
- Separating the interior of the cell from the outside environment
- Enclosing the cell contents
- Monitors what comes in and out of the cell (Selective Permeability)
What are the characteristics of the cell membrane?
The cell membranes’ characteristics are:
- Made up of a phospholipid bilayer
- Fluid-like & flexible
- Selective permeability
What is the cytoplasm and what does it do?
The cytoplasm is a gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell. Its functions are to:
- Serve as a platform wherein organelles can operate
- Where cell expansion, growth, and replication are carried out
What structure is also present in the cytoplasm? What does it do?
CYTOSKELETON
- A structure that helps in maintaining the shape and internal organization of the cell.
- Provides mechanical support to help the cell in carrying out essential functions
What are the types of filaments that make up the cytoskeleton?
- Actin Filaments
- Microtubules
- Intermediate filaments
What are the differences between actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments?
Actin Filaments
- Narrowest
- Made up of 2 intertwined strands of actin, a globular protein
- Resist tension
- Provide some rigidity and shape to the cell
Microtubules
- Small hollow tubes
- Made up of polymerized dimers of α-tubulin and β-tubulin
- Help cells resist compression, provide a track for vesicle movement, and pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends during division
Intermediate Filaments
- Thickest
- Maintain the shape of the cell
- Anchor the nucleus and other organelles in place
What are centrosomes and their functions?
The centrosome is made up of 2 perpendicular centrioles. It is also called the “Microtubule-organizing Centre (MTOC)” which helps in the creation of additional microtubules. It also provides structure to the cell and pulls chromatids apart during cell division.
What is the Endoplasmic Reticulum?
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is made up of a phospholipid bilayer. It creates a network of membranes that carry stuff around the cell.
What are the 2 types of Endoplasmic Reticulum and their functions?
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
- bumpy texture due to ribosomes on the surface
- helps in creating proteins through the ribosomes - Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
- NO ribosomes
- creates lipids from enzymes
- other enzymes are for detoxification
- stores ions
What are the functions of ribosomes?
Ribosomes are responsible for creating proteins. It reads and translates the genetic code from mRNA to create amino acids which turn into proteins.
What is the Golgi apparatus and its functions?
Golgi apparatus, also known as Golgi bodies, are organelles that process and package proteins and lipid molecules. They also send these molecules to their destination.
These organelles are composed of a phospholipid bilayer that encloses molecules and other objects within the cells and ships them to different destinations. What are these organelles?
VESICLES
