Cellular & Molecular Biology

Question 1

Polymer degradation

Answer 1

Hydrolysis. Adds a water molecule breaking a bond.

Question 2

Light microscopy

Answer 2

To visualize whole cells and large sub-cellular organelles.

E.g nucleus and chromosomes

Question 3

Electron microscopy

Answer 3

Use electromagnets to focus a beam of electrons through specimen or onto its surface.

Question 4

Transmission Electron microscopy

Answer 4

To study internal cell structure

E.g organelles proteins and nucleus acids

Does this by beam through specimen

Question 5

Scanning Electron Microsopy

Answer 5

To study cell surface and generate 3D images

Focus a beam onto the surface of specimen

Question 6

Prokaryotic cells

Nucleoid

Answer 6

Where DNA is concentrated

Question 7

Describe the internal structure of prokaryotic cells

Answer 7

Little or no internal structure or organelles

Question 8

Name and describe the main features of a prokaryotic cell

Answer 8

Plasma membrane: encloses cytoplasm
Cell wall: rigid structure
Capsule: jelly like coating 
Fimbriae: attachment to other bacteria 
Flagella: locomotion

Question 9

Describe the nucleus in eukaryotic cells

Answer 9

Have a nucleus that contains most of the cells DNA

Question 10

What do eukaryotic cells have that prokaryotic cells don’t

Answer 10

Cellulose cell wall: Protects cell and maintains shape
Central vacuole: storage and breakdown of waste products
Chloroplasts: photosynthesis

Question 11

Cell organelles

Nucleus

Answer 11

Nucleolus
Chromatin fibers
Inner membrane 
Outer membrane 
Nuclear pores
Connect to rough ER

Question 12

Cell organelles

Endoplastic reticulum and ribosomes

Answer 12

Smooth ER
Rough ER
ER lumen 
Cisternae 
Ribosomes bound to ER
Free ribosomes in cytosol

Question 13

Cell organelles

Golgi apparatus

Answer 13

Cis face (receiving end)
Vesicles from ER > Golgi
Cistern all maturation move cis to teams direction
Vesicles leave Golgi carrying specific proteins

Question 14

Cell organelles

Lysosomes

Answer 14

Carry active hydrolytic enzymes
Used to digest food or breakdown damaged organelles
Fuses with vesicle
Hydrolytic enzymes digest food particles/organelle components

Question 15

Cell organelles

Mitochondria

Answer 15

Outer membrane 
Inner membrane
Cisternae
Matrix 
Free ribosomes in matrix 
Respiratory enzymes in inner membrane and matrix

Question 16

Cell organelles

Chloroplast

Answer 16

Only in plants and algae
Site of photosynthesis
Thylakoids
Stacked = granum

Question 17

Cytoskeleton

Answer 17

Maintain cell shape
Facilitate cell movement 
Facilitates movements within cell 
Three types: 
Micro tubules
Micro filaments
Intermediate filaments

Question 18

Micro tubules

Answer 18

Protein: tubulin
Function: cell shape
Organelle + chromosome movement
Motility

Question 19

Micro filaments

Answer 19

Protein: actin
Function: change in cell shape
Cell division
Contraction

Question 20

Intermediate filaments

Answer 20

Protein: keratin
Function: anchorage of nucleus and organelles

Question 21

Cell fractionation

Answer 21

Isolates cell components based on size and density through centrifugation

Question 22

Macromolecules

Answer 22

Polymers constructed of identical or similar building blocks called monomers

Question 23

Types of macro molecules

Answer 23

Lipids
Polysaccharides
Proteins
Nucleic acids

Question 24

Lipids

Answer 24

Hydrophobic 
Water insoluble 
Function: energy storage 
Structural molecules 
Hormones

Question 25

Polysaccharides

Answer 25

Function: energy storage
Structural molecules e.g cellulose, chitin
Carbohydrate residue can be joined to proteins or lipids

Question 26

Storage of polysaccharides in plants

Answer 26

Starch.

Polymers of glucose monomers

Question 27

Polymer assembly

Answer 27

Dehydration. Removes a water molecule forming a new bond