Cellular Level Of Organization (Questions) Flashcards
What is the basic structural and functional unit of the body?
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of the body.
What are the three principal parts of a cell?
The three principal parts are the cell membrane (plasma membrane), cytoplasm, and nucleus.
What is the function of the cell membrane (plasma membrane)?
The cell membrane acts as a boundary between the inside and outside of the cell.
What is the cell membrane composed of?
The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, membrane proteins, membrane carbohydrates, and microvilli.
What are the components of the phospholipid bilayer?
The phospholipid bilayer consists of hydrophilic phosphate head groups and hydrophobic fatty acid (FA) tails.
What are the two types of membrane proteins?
The two types of membrane proteins are integral proteins and peripheral proteins.
What is the function of the phospholipid bilayer in the cell membrane?
The phospholipid bilayer divides the intracellular fluid (ICF) inside the cell from the extracellular fluid (ECF) outside the cell.
What role does cholesterol play in the cell membrane?
Cholesterol is scattered throughout the membrane and adds stability to the cell membrane.
What is the difference between integral and peripheral proteins in the cell membrane?
Integral proteins are embedded within the membrane and may extend across the entire membrane (transmembrane proteins), while peripheral proteins are attached to the surface of integral proteins.
What are the functions of membrane proteins?
Membrane proteins function as enzymes, transporters, channels, receptors, anchors, and identity markers for the immune system.
Where are membrane carbohydrates located, and what are their functions?
Membrane carbohydrates are found only on the outer surface of the membrane. They function in cell recognition (e.g., sperm recognizing egg cells) and anchoring cells together.
What are microvilli, and what is their function?
Microvilli are small projections of the cell membrane that increase surface area. They are best seen on cells of the small intestine and kidney.
What is the Fluid Mosaic Model of the cell membrane?
The Fluid Mosaic Model describes the cell membrane as being fluid, meaning its constituents can move around, and a mosaic, where proteins dot the surface like tiles in a mosaic.
What is cytoplasm?
Cytoplasm is the area between the inside of the cell membrane and the outside of the nucleus.
What are the two divisions of the cytoplasm?
The two divisions of the cytoplasm are cytosol and organelles.