Chapter 3: Cells Flashcards
what are the 3 main parts of a cell
- plasma membrane
- cytoplasm
- nucleus
plasma membrane
Forms the cells flexible out surface, separating the cells internal environment (inside the cell) from the external environment (outside the cell)
selective barrier: regulates flow of materials in and out of the cell
Cytoplasm
- Consists of all the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus
- Two components: cytosol and organelles
cytosol
fluid portion of cytoplasm, contains water, dissolved solutes, and suspended particles
- constitutes 55% of total cell volume
- site of many chemical reactions
Nucleus
- Large organelle that houses most of the cells DNA
- Contains hereditary units called genes that control cellular structure and function
fluid mosaic model
describes the plasma membrane
- Resembles an ever moving sea of fluid lipids that contain a mosaic of many different proteins
Lipid bilayer
structural framework - two back-to-back layers made up of three types of lipid molecules—phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids
Phospholipids
About 75% of the membrane lipids
Polar: “head” – which is hydropobic (hydro =water phallic = loving)
Nonpolar: hydrophobic (-phobic = fearing)
Amphipathic
molecules, which means that they have both polar and nonpolar parts
Integral proteins
extend into or through the lipid bilayer among the fatty acid tails and are firmly embedded in it
Transmembrane proteins
which means that they span the entire lipid bilayer and protrude into both the cytosol and extracellular fluid
peripheral proteins
associate more loosely with the polar heads of membrane lipids or with integral proteins at the inner or outer surface of the membrane
glycoproteins
proteins with carbohydrate groups attached to the ends that protrude into the extracellular fluid
functions of membrane proteins
- ion channels
- carriers
- receptors
- enzymes
- linkers
- cell identity markers
ion channels
(integral)
o Selective
o Form pores or holes through which specific ions, such as potassium can flow to get across the membrane
Carriers
(integral)
o Selectively moving a polar substance or ion across the membrane
o Known as transporters
Receptors
(integral)
o Serve as recognition sites
o Each is bound by a specific type of molecule
o Molecule that binds to a receptor is called a ligand of that receptor
Enzymes
(integral & peripheral)
Catalyze specific chemical reactions at the inside or outside surface of the cell
Linkers
(integral & peripheral)
Anchor proteins in the plasma membrane of neighbouring cells to one another or to protein filaments
Cell Identity Markers
(glycoproteins)
o may enable a cell to recognize other cells of the same kind during tissue formation or to recognize and respond to potentially dangerous foreign cells
Membrane Fluidity
allows interactions to occur within the plasma membrane, such as the assembly of membrane proteins
- enables movement of membrane components responsible for cellular processes such as growth, secretion
- allows lipid bilayer to self seal if torn or punctured
Organelles
tiny specialized structures within the cell that have characteristics shapes: they perform specific functions in cellular growth, maintenance and reproduction
Nucleus
spherical or oval shapes organelle that is usually the most prominent feature of a cell
* Contains most of the cells DNA
Nuclear envelope
double membrane that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm