Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

MCAT Biology > Chapter 1. The Cell > Flashcards

Chapter 1. The Cell Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
MCAT flashcards AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Who is Robert Hooke?

A
  • In 1665, Robert Hooke assembled a microscope and tested it using a piece of cork.
  • He could not see cell structures because corks are nonliving.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who is Anton van Leeuwenhoek?

A
  • In 1674, Anton van Leeuwenhoek was the first to view a living cell under a microscope.
  • He looked at his dental scrapings under the microscope.
  • He noticed many animal creatures moving around and he named them “animalcules”–> it was actually bacteria!
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In 1850, ____ demonstrated that diseased cells could arise from normal cells in normal tissues.

A

Rudolph Virchow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the cell theory?

A
  • All living things are composed of cells.
  • The cell is the basic functional unit of life.
  • Cells arise only from preexisting cells.
  • Cells carry genetic information in the form of DNA. This genetic material is passed on from parent to daughter cell.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Are viruses considered living organisms? Explain.

A

No

  • They are unable to reproduce on their own.
    • They can only replicate by invading other organisms.
  • They contain RNA as their genetic information.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the main difference between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells?

A

Eukaryotic cells contain a true nucleus enclosed in a membrane, prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Membranes of eukaryotic cells are composed of a ____.

A

phospholipid bilayer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The ____ allows for the diffusion of molecules throughout the cell.

A

cytosol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Eukaryotic cells reproduce by ____, which results in two identical daughter cells.

A

mitosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the function of the nuclear pores in the nuclear membrane?

A

Nuclear pores in the nuclear membrane allow for the selective two-way exchange of material between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where is the nucleolus located and what is its function?

A
  • Located in the nucleus.
  • Where the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized.
  • Takes up about 25 percent of the volume of the entire nucleus.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why are mitochondria known as “the power plant of the cell”.

A

Due to their important metabolic functions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How many layers do mitochondria have? What are they?

A
  • Two
  • Outer membrane and inner membrane
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the difference between the inner and outer membrane of mitochondria?

A
  • The outer membrane serves as a barrier between the cytosol and the inner environment of the mitochondrion.
  • The inner membrane contains the molecules and enzymes necessary for the electron transport chain.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The inner membrane of mitochondria is thrown into numerous foldings called ____.

A

cristae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the function of the cristae in mitochondria?

A

The cristae increase the surface area available for the electron transport chain enzymes.

17
Q

The pumping of protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space (space between the inner and outer membrane) establishes the ____.

A

proton motive force

18
Q

The pumping of protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the intermembrane space (space between the inner and outer membrane) establishes the proton motive force. These protons flow through ATP synthase to generate ATP during ____.

A

oxidative phosphorylation

19
Q

Mitochondria are different from other parts of the cell in that they are semiautonomous. What does this mean?

A

Contain some of their own genes and replicate independently of the nucleus via binary fission.

20
Q

How can mitochondria kill the cell?

A

They are capable of killing the cell (apoptosis) by the release of enzymes from the electron transport chain.

21
Q

What are lysosomes?

A
  • Lysosomes are membrane-bound structures containing hydrolytic enzymes that are capable of breaking down many different substrates, including substances ingested by endocytosis and cellular waste products.
  • The release of these enzymes can occur in a process known as autolysis, degradation of cellular components.
22
Q

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a series of interconnected membranes that are actually contiguous with the ____.

A

nuclear envelope

23
Q

What is the difference between the rough ER and the smooth ER?

A
  • Rough ER (RER)
    • Stubbed with ribosomes, which permit the translation of proteins destined for secretion directly into its lumen.
  • Smooth ER (SER)
    • Lacks ribosomes.
    • Utilized primary for lipid synthesis and the detoxification of certain drugs and poisons.
    • Transports proteins from the RER to the Golgi apparatus.
24
Q

Materials from the ER are transferred to the Golgi apparatus in ____.

A

vesicles

25
Q

In the Golgi apparatus, what happens if the product is destined for secretion?

A

If the product is destined for secretion, then the secretory vesicle merges with the cell membrane and its contents are released via exocytosis.

26
Q

Peroxisomes contain ____.

A

hydrogen peroxide.

27
Q

What are the three roles of peroxisomes?

A
  • Breakdown very long fatty acids via beta-oxidation.
  • Participate in the synthesis of phospholipids.
  • Contain some enzymes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway.
28
Q

What are the three functions of the cytoskeleton?

A
  • Provides structure to the cell.
  • Helps the cell to maintain its shape.
  • Provides a conduit for the transport of materials around the cell.
29
Q

What are microfilaments composed of?

A

Solid polymerized rods of actin.

30
Q

Microfilaments play a major role in ____, or the division of materials between daughter cells.

A

cytokinesis

31
Q

What are microtubules?

A

Hollow polymers of tubulin proteins.

32
Q

Which component of the cytokeleton provides the primary pathways along which motor proteins like kinesin and dynein carry vesicles?

A

Microtubules

33
Q

Cilia and flagella are motile structures composed of microtubules. What is the difference between them?

A
  • Cilia are projections from a cell that are primarily involved in the movement of materials alone the surface of the cell.
  • Flagella are structures involved in the movement of the cell itself.
34
Q

Centrioles are found in the ____ of the cell.

A

centrosome

35
Q

What is the structure of centrioles?

A

Structures as nine triplets of microtubules with a hollow center.

36
Q

The microtubules emanating from the centrioles attach to the chromosome via ____.

A

kinetochores

37
Q

Which component of the cytoskeleton is involved in cell-cell adhesion or maintenance of the overall integrity of the cytoskeleton?

A

Intermediate filaments

MCAT Biology (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions