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Microbiology > Comparative Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells > Flashcards

Comparative Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Flashcards

1
Q

What are the major differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

A
  • Size
  • Presence or lack of nucleus
  • Compartmentalisation
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2
Q

Nucleus

A
  • Contains chromatin (DNA complexed with histones)

- Site of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA synthesis (rRNA in the nucleolus)

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3
Q

Rough ER

A
  • Membrane network covered with ribosomes
  • Site of protein synthesis
  • Specific sorting signals allow import into RER
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4
Q

Smooth ER

A
  • No protein synthesis
  • Contributes to lipid synthesis (steroids)
  • Toxin breakdown
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5
Q

Golgi complex

A
  • Carbohydrate synthesis (for cell walls, extracellular matrix)
  • Modification of proteins for specific targeting (secretion/incorporation in membranes)
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6
Q

Lysosomes

A
  • Originate from Golgi
  • Can fuse with other vesicles
  • Contain digestive enzymes to hydrolyse macromolecules
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7
Q

Peroxisomes

A
  • Originate from ER
  • Incorporate lipids and proteins from cytoplasm
  • Oxidise alcohols and fatty acids (role in lipid metabolism)
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8
Q

Mitochondria

A
  • “Power house of the cell”
  • Involved in respiration, oxidative phosphorylations, Krebs cycle
  • Has its own genome
  • Multiply by division
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9
Q

Chloroplasts

A
  • Made of thylakoids forming grana, found in storm (~matrix)
  • Converts light into organic compounds via the Calvin cycle
  • Has its own circular DNA and translation machinery
  • Multiply by division
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10
Q

Flagella/Cilia

A
  • Consist of a bundle of 9 pairs of microtubules surrounding a central pair (axoneme) - microtubules are connected to adjacent ones via nexin molecules
  • Motion is driven by ATP hydrolysis carried out by dynein molecules
  • Microtubules slide against one another, giving a whiplike movement
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11
Q

Nucleoid

A
  • Usually a single, circular chromosome
  • DNA complexed with histone-like proteins
  • Genetic material also includes plasmids
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12
Q

Cytoplasm

A
  • Compartment enclosed by a membrane with a dedicated physiological function
  • Contains proteins, tRNAs, mRNA and ribosomes
  • Can contain several inclusion bodies (protein bound), e.g. carboxysomes (CO2 reduction in photosynthetic bacteria), storage granules (sulphur/phosphate/nitrogen) and gas vesicles
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13
Q

Envelope

A
  • Consisting of a cytoplasmic membrane, peptidoglycan, polymers covalently bound to peptidoglycan and an outer membrane
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14
Q

Appendages

A
  • Pilus
  • Fimbriae (or pili)
  • Flagella
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15
Q

Pilus

A
  • appendage dedicated to conjugation (plasmid exchange)
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16
Q

Fimbriae (or pili)

A
  • involved in adherence to host cells/surfaces; antigenic structures made of one major protein
17
Q

Flagella

A
  • supramolecular assembly involved in bacterial motility
18
Q

Endosymbiotic Origin of Eukaryotes

A
  • Stable incorporation of endosymbiotic bacteria resulted in the formation of mitochondria and chloroplasts
  • Nucleus appears before the acquisition of mitochondria and chloroplasts by endosymbiosis
  • Problem: does not account for the fact that both eukaryotes and prokaryotes have similar lipid composition
19
Q

Origin of Mitochondria

A
  • from engulfment of a H2-producing bacterium by an H2-consuming Archae
20
Q

Origin of Lipid Synthesis

A
  • Genes for lipid synthesis were transferred to host giving rise to the nucleus
21
Q

Origin of Chloroplasts

A
  • Chloroplasts were acquired later by endosymbiosis leading to the first phototrophic eukaryotes
22
Q

Anatomy of Eukaryotes

A
  • Nucleus (RNA transcription)
  • RER (protein translation/modification)
  • SER (lipid/steroid synthesis)
  • 80S ribosomes
  • Golgi body (carbohydrate synthesis, protein modifications)
  • Mitochondria (power station, ATP synthesis)
  • Chloroplasts (light-dependent CO2 assimilation)
  • Peroxysomes (lipid metabolism, detoxification role; e.g. alcohol)
    Lysosomes (digestive organelle)
  • Flagella/Cilia (made of microtubules)
23
Q

Anatomy of Prokaryotes

A
  • Nucleoid and plasmids (ds DNA)
  • 70S ribosomes
  • Rare membrane-bound organelles, frequent protein bound vesicles
  • Complex envelope (peptidoglycan + polymers/proteins, outer membrane)
  • Appendages (pilus, flagella, fimbriae)
24
Q

Endosymbiotic Theory

A
  • Both mitochondria and chloroplasts result from engulfment of prokaryotic cells by a deep branching ancestor that gave rise to Archaea and Eukarya

Microbiology (6 decks)

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