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MCAT: Biology > Chapter 1: The Cell > Flashcards

Chapter 1: The Cell Flashcards

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1
Q

What was Robert Hooke’s contribution to the cell theory? In what year?

A
  • Assembled a crude compound microscope
  • Observed nonliving cells (did not see nuclei, organelles, or cell membranes)
  • In 1665
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2
Q

What was Anton van Leeuwenhoek’s contribution to the cell theory? In what year?

A
  • First to view a living cell under a microscope

- 1674

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3
Q

What was Rudolph Virchow’s contribution to the cell theory? In what year?

A
  • Demonstrated that diseased cells could arise from normal cells in normal tissues
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4
Q

What are the four fundamental tenets of the cell theory? Which three are part of the original form?

A

1) All living things are composed of cells (original)
2) The cell is the basic functional unit of life (original)
3) Cells arise only from preexisting cells (original)
4) Cells carry genetic information in the form of DNA. This genetic information is passed on from parent to daughter cell

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5
Q

What are viruses?

A

Small structures that contain genetic material, but are unable to reproduce on their own

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6
Q

Why aren’t viruses considered to be living organisms? (2)

A
  • Violation of the 3rd and 4th tenet of the cell theory
  • Because virions can only replicate by invading other organisms
  • Because they contain RNA as their genetic information
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7
Q

What are the three differentiating characteristics of eukaryotes?

A
  • Have membrane-bound organelles
  • Have a nucleus
  • May form multicellular organisms
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8
Q

What fluid suspends the organelles in the eukaryotic cell and allows diffusion of molecules out of the cell?

A

Cytosol

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9
Q

Which lipid do cell membranes and membranes of organelles contain? How are they organized?

A
  • Phospholipids

- Organize to form hydrophilic interior and exterior surfaces with a hydrophobic core

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10
Q

In Eukaryotic cells, the genetic material is encoded in ____, which is organized into _____ and held in the _____.

A

DNA, chromosomes, nucleus

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11
Q

How do Eukaryotic cells reproduce? What does that allow for?

A
  • By mitosis

- Allowing for the formation of two identical daughter cells

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12
Q

What is the nucleus surrounded by? How many membranes does it contain?

A
  • Nuclear membrane or envelope

- Double membrane

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13
Q

What do nuclear pores in the nuclear membrane allow for?

A

Selective two-way exchange of material between the cytoplasm and the nucleus

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14
Q

What are the coding regions in DNA called?

A

Genes

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15
Q

Linear DNA is wound around organizing proteins known as _____, and is then further wound into linear strands called ________.

A
  • histones

- chromosomes

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16
Q

The location of DNA in the nucleus allows for the compartmentalization of __________ separate from ___________.

A

DNA transcription, RNA translation

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17
Q

Where is the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesized in Eukaryotic cells? What % volume does that section take up within the nucleus?

A
  • In the nucleolus, within the nucleus

- 25% volume of the nucleus

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18
Q

What is the power plant of the cell?

A

Mitochondria, in reference to their important metabolic functions

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19
Q

What are the two layers of the mitochondria?

A

Inner and outer layer

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20
Q

What is the function of the outer layer of the mitochondria?

A

Serves as a barrier between the cytosol and the inner environment of the mitochondrion

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21
Q

What are the foldings of the inner membrane of the mitochondria called? What does the inner membrane contain?

A
  • Cristae

- Contains molecules and enzymes necessary for the electron transport chain

22
Q

What is the space between the inner and outer membrane of the mitochondria called? What is the space inside the inner membrane of the mitochondria called?

A
  • Intermembrane space

- Matrix

23
Q

How is ATP generated through oxidative phosphorylation?

A
  • Pumping of protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space establishes the proton-motive force
  • These protons flow through ATP synthase to generate ATP
24
Q

How are mitochondria semi-autonomous?

A

They contain some of their own genes and replicate independently of the nucleus via binary fusion

25
Q

How can mitochondria divide independently?

A

Via binary fusion

26
Q

What triggers apoptosis? How? What is apoptosis?

A
  • Mitochondria
  • By releasing enzymes from the electron transport chain
  • Programmed cell death
27
Q

What is the major function of lysosomes?

A

Membrane-bound structures containing hydrolytic enzymes that are capable of breaking down many different substrates, including substances ingested by endocytosis and cellular waste products

28
Q

In the lysosomes, what does the lysosomal membrane do to prevent cell damage?

A

Sequesters hydrolytic enzymes in their membrane

29
Q

When does autolysis occur? What does it result in?

A
  • The release of hydrolytic enzymes from the lysosomal membrane
  • Results in apoptosis
  • Released enzymes directly lead to the degradation of cellular components
30
Q

Which organelle in Eukaryotic cells does this passage refer to: _____________ is a series of interconnected membranes and is contiguous with the nuclear envelope

A

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

31
Q

What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum? What is its major function?

A
  • Studded with ribosomes

- Permit the translation of proteins destined for secretion directly into its lumen

32
Q

What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum? What is its major function?

A
  • Lacks ribosomes

- Utilized for lipid synthesis and the detoxification of certain drugs and poisons

33
Q

What transports proteins from the RER to the Golgi apparatus?

A

The SER

34
Q

What is the Golgi apparatus?

A
  • Consists of stacked membrane-bound sacs

- Cellular products can be modified, packaged, and directed to specific cellular locations (through signal sequences)

35
Q

If the Golgi apparatus marks a product that is destined for secretion, what happens?

A

The secretory vesicle merges with the cell membrane and its contents are released via exocytosis

36
Q

What chemical do peroxisomes contain?

A

Hydrogen peroxide

37
Q

What are the major functions of peroxisomes? (3)

A
  • Breakdown of very long chain fatty acids via B-oxidation
  • Participate in the synthesis of phospholipids
  • Contain some of the enzymes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway
38
Q

What are the major functions of the cytoskeleton? (2)

A
  • Provides structure to the cell and helps it to maintain its shape
  • Provides a conduit for the transport of materials around the cell
39
Q

What are the three components of the cytoskeleton?

A
  • Microfilaments
  • Microtubules
  • Intermediate filaments
40
Q

What are microfilaments made up of? What do they provide?

A
  • Made of actin

- Provide structural protection

41
Q

How can actin filaments generate force for movement?

A

Use ATP and interact with myosin

42
Q

What is cytokinesis?

A

Division of materials between daughter cells

43
Q

What are microfilaments role in mitosis?

A

Help form the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis in mitosis

44
Q

What are microtubules composed of?

A

Tubulin

45
Q

How do microtubules help carry vesicles throughout the cells?

A

Microtubules radiate throughout the cell, providing the primary pathways along which motor proteins like kinesin and dynein carry vesicles

46
Q

What are cilia and flagella composed of? What is their structure?

A
  • Microtubules
  • 9 pairs of microtubules forming an outer ring, with two microtubules in the center
  • 9 + 2 structure (only in Eukaryotic cells)
47
Q

What is cilia?

A

Projections from a cell that are primary involved in movement of materials along the surface of the cell

48
Q

What is flagella?

A

Structures involved in movement of the cell itself (ex: sperm through reproductive tract)

49
Q

Where are centrioles found in the cell? What is their structure? What is their major role?

A
  • In centrosomes
  • 9 triplets of microtubules with a hollow center
  • Involved in microtubule organization in the mitotic spindle
50
Q

During mitosis, the microtubules emanating from the centrioles attach to the chromosomes via complexes called ________ and can exert force on the sister chromatids, pulling them apart.

A

kinetochores

51
Q

What are common examples of intermediate filaments?

A

Keratin and desmin

52
Q

What is the major function of intermediate filaments?

A
  • Involved in cell-cell adhesion or maintenance of the integrity of the cytoskeleton
  • Help anchor organelles

MCAT: Biology (12 decks)

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