Chapter 4 - Tour of the Cell Flashcards
What are the three parts of the Cell Theory?
The Cell is the fundamental unit of an organism.
Organisms can be single-celled or trillions of cells.
All cells come from pre-existing cells.
What are the characteristics of the Plasma Membrane?
Separates the outside from the inside of the cell.
Is a gatekeeper for materials.
Communicates with other cells.
What are the characteristics of Cytoplasm?
“Goo” inside the cell, but outside the nucleus.
Enzyme and protein synthesis take place here.
What is involved in Heredity?
DNA and RNA as genetic material.
All information used to produce new cells, new nuclei, and new “daughter” cells.
What is the importance of environment?
All energy comes from the sun.
Builds and burns energy.
Acquires ingredients from the outside.
Cells cannot get too big!
What are the characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells?
Comparatively small.
Nearly all Prokaryotes have a cell wall to promote shape.
Outer capsule for surface attachment.
Flagella for movement.
Pili for transfer of gametes (germ cells) between other cells.
Unbound nucleoid.
Singular, circular chromosome (DNA).
Some have plasmids.
Ribosomes for protein synthesis.
Mesosomes for cellular respiration = ATP production.
What are the characteristics of the Cell Wall?
To promote shape and to protect the cell.
What are the characteristics of the Outer Capsule?
A hydrated polysaccharide structure that covers the outer layer of the cell wall.
What are the characteristics of the Flagella?
Helps the cell move, or to “swim”.
What are the characteristics of Pili?
Hair-like structures that have a role in movement, but are more effective in adhering to surfaces.
What are the characteristics of Nucleoids?
Found in cytoplasm containing DNA, RNA, and associated proteins for cell reproduction.
What are plasmids?
“Free-floating” rings of DNA.
What are the characteristics of Ribosomes?
Consist of RNA and associated proteins in large numbers within the cytoplasm to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
What are the characteristics of Mesosomes?
Appears as an invagination of the plasma membrane and functions in either DNA replication and cell division, or excretion of exoenzymes.
What are the characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells?
Some have cell walls for support and protection (plants and fungi).
Some have cilia and flagella for locomotion.
Cytoskeleton is framework inside cytoplasm.
Nucleus is the control center. Membrane bound, but porous.