Ch. 2 - The Cytoplasm Flashcards
What is the functional and structural unit of a tissue?
The cell
Eukaryotic cell
Cells with distinct membranous nuclei surrounded by cytoplasm containing membrane-bound organelles
Larger than prokaryotic cells
I.e. animals
Prokaryotic cell
Cells with a cell wall around the plasmalemma and lack membranous structures
Smaller than eukaryotic cells
I.e. bacteria
Zygote
The single cell formed by the merger of a spermatozoon with an oocyte at fertilization
Blastomeres
Cells produced by the first zygotic cellular divisions
Give rise to all tissue types of the fetus
Embryonic stem cells
Pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner mass of the embryo
Cell differentiation
Specialization of embryonic stem cells
Cells synthesize increased quantities of specific proteins and become very efficient in specialized functions
Often change shape to match function
What is an example of cell differentiation?
Muscle cell precursors elongate into fiber-like cells containing large arrays of actin and myosin
Name the specialized activity of muscle and contractile cells.
Movement
Name the specialized activity of epithelial cells.
Form adhesive and tight junctions between cells
Name the specialized activity of fibroblasts and the cells of bone and cartilage.
Synthesize and secrete components of the ECM
Name the specialized activity of neurons and sensory cells.
Convert physical and chemical stimuli into action potentials
Name the specialized activity of cells of the digestive glands.
Synthesis and secretion of degradative enzymes
Name the specialized activity of cells of mucous glands.
Synthesis and secretion of glycoproteins
Name the specialized activity of certain cells of the adrenal gland, testes and ovaries.
Synthesis and secretion of steroids