Chapter 6 - The Cell Flashcards
What is a light microscope?
Visible light is passed through the specimen and then through glass lenses. This magnifies the image.
What are 3 important parameters in microscopy?
Magnification - the ratio of an object’s image size to its real size.
Resolution - the measure of the clarity of the image; it is the minimum distance two points can be separated and still be distinguished as separate points.
Contrast - the difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of an image.
How much can LMs magnify an image?
To about 1,000 times the size of the actual specimen.
What is an organelle?
The membrane enclosed structures within eukaryotic cells that have specialized functions.
What is an electron microscope?
The EM focuses a beam of electrons through the specimen or onto its surface in order to study subcellular structures.
What are the two different kinds of electron microscopes? How do they function?
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) - useful for the detailed study of the topography of a specimen. The electron beam scans the surface of the sample, which is usually coated with a thin film of gold, showing a 3D image of the surface.
Transmission electron microscope (TEM) - useful for studying the internal structures of cells. The thin specimen is usually stained with atoms of heavy metals, which attach to certain cellular structures, thus enhancing the electron density of some parts of the cell more than others, making that portion more visible.
What is cytology?
The study of cell structure.
What is biochemistry?
The study of the chemical processes (metabolism) of cells.
What is cell fractionation?
Takes cells apart and separates major orangelles and other subcellular structures from one another. Ultracentrifuges fractionate cells into their component parts. This enables scientists to study and determine the functions of organelles.
What basic features do all cells share?
- Bounded by a selective barrier called the plasma membrane
- Inside all cells is a semifluid, jellylike substance called cytosol
- Contain chromosomes, which carry genes in the form of DNA
- Contain ribosomes, which synthesize proteins
What is cytosol?
A jellylike substance inside all cells, in which subcellular components are suspended.
What is a eukaryotic cell?
Cells that have internal membrane bound organelles that compartmentalize their functions. Contains a double membrane bounded nucleus with DNA. The cytoplasm is in the region between the plasma membrane and the nucleus. Includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals. Generally much larger than prokaryotic cells.
What is a prokaryotic cell?
Organisms of the domains bacteria and archaea. Contains no nucleus. The DNA is contained in an unbounded region called the nucleoid. Contains no membrane enclosed organelles. The cytoplasm is bound by the plasma membrane.
What is a nucleoid?
A non membrane enclosed area of a prokaryotic cell where its chromosome (DNA) is located.
What is the cytoplasm?
The interior of either type of cell. Refers only to the region between the nucleus and the plasma membrane.
What are the smallest cells known?
Bacteria called mycoplasmas.
What is the plasma membrane?
Functions as a selective barrier that allows passage of enough oxygen, nutrients, and wastes to service the entire cell.
What is the general structure of a biological membrane?
A double layer of phospholipids.
Explain the surface area to volume ratio and its importance in cellular metabolism.
The logistics of carrying out cellular metabolism sets limits on the size of cells. The surface area to volume ratio of a cell is critical as a high surface-to-volume ratio facilitates the exchange of materials between a cell and its environment. As the surface area increases by a factor of n^2, the volume increases by a factor of n^3. Therefore, as a cell increases in size, the surface area grows proportionately less than its volume.
Explain the organelles in eukaryotic cells.
The eukaryotic cell has extensive, elaborately arranged internal membranes that divide the cell into compartments, which provide different local environments that support specific metabolic functions.
What is the nucleus?
Contains most of the cells genes and is usually the most conspicuous organelle.
What is the nuclear envelope?
A double membrane. Each membrane is a lipid bilayer with associated proteins. The nuclear envelope encloses the nucleus, separating its contents from the cytoplasm.
What is a pore complex?
The nuclear envelope is perforated by pore structures. At the lip of each pore, the inner and outer membranes of the nuclear envelope are continuous. An intricate protein structure called a pore complex lines each pore and plays an important role in the cell by regulating the entry and exit of proteins and RNAs, as well as large complexes of macromolecules.
What is the nuclear lamina?
A netlike array of protein filaments that maintains the shape of the nucleus by mechanically supporting the nuclear envelope. Lines the inner surface of the nuclear envelope and may help organize the genetic material so it functions efficiently.
