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Biology A- Level > Core Concepts (Cell Structure and Organisation) > Flashcards

Core Concepts (Cell Structure and Organisation) Flashcards

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1
Q

Define eukaryotic cell

A

A type of cell that contains a true nucleus along with membrane-bound organelles.

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2
Q

Describe the structure of the nucleus.

A

● Surrounded by nuclear envelope which is
semi-permeable and double membraned
● Nuclear pores allow substances to enter/exit
● Dense nucleolus (made of RNA and proteins)
assembles ribosomes

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3
Q

Describe the function of the nucleus.

A

● Contains DNA coiled around chromatin into chromosomes
● Coordinates cellular activities

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4
Q

Describe the function of the nucleus.

A

● Contains DNA coiled around chromatin into
chromosomes
● Coordinates cellular activities

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5
Q

What is chromatin?

A

A DNA-protein complex found in
eukaryotic cells.

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6
Q

Describe the structure of mitochondria.

A

● Surrounded by double membrane, mitochondrial envelope
● Folded inner membrane forms cristae (large surface area)
● Fluid matrix contains mitochondrial DNA, respiratory
enzymes, lipids and proteins

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7
Q

Describe the function of mitochondria.

A

Site of aerobic respiration to produce ATP.

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8
Q

Describe the structure of the
endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

A

● Series of flattened membrane-bound sacs
(cisternae) within the cytoplasm, continuous with
the nuclear envelope
● Two types: rough ER and smooth ER

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9
Q

Describe the function of the smooth
endoplasmic reticulum (SER).

A

Lipid synthesis

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10
Q

Describe the function of the rough
endoplasmic reticulum (RER).

A

Many ribosomes attached for protein
synthesis and transport.

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11
Q

Describe the structure of ribosomes.

A

● Made from rRNA and proteins
● Found free in the cytoplasm or
associated with the RER

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12
Q

Describe the function of ribosomes.

A

Site of protein synthesis (translation)
● Large subunit joins amino acids
● Small subunit reads RNA

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13
Q

Describe the structure of the Golgi body.

A

● Planar stack of membrane-bound, flattened sacs
● Cis face aligns with RER
● Molecules are processed in cisternae
● Vesicles bud off trans face via exocytosis

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14
Q

Describe the function of the Golgi body.

A

● Modifies and packages proteins for export
● Synthesises glycoproteins

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15
Q

Describe the structure and function of
lysosomes.

A

● Fluid-filled vesicles surrounded by a single
membrane, contain enzymes
● Role in phagocytosis, digest unwanted materials
in the cytoplasm

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16
Q

Describe the structure of centrioles.

A

● Cylindrical structure
● Organised into microtubules in a 9+0 pattern
● Found in pairs in centrosomes

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17
Q

Describe the function of centrioles.

A

● Migrate to opposite poles of the cell during
prophase
● Involved in the organisation of spindle fibres

18
Q

Describe the structure of a chloroplast.

A

● Disk shaped surrounded by double membrane
● Thylakoids - flattened discs stacked to form grana
● Grana - contain photosystems with chlorophyll
● Intergranal lamellae - tubes attach thylakoids in adjacent
grana
● Stroma - fluid-filled matrix

19
Q

What is the function of a chloroplast?

A

Site of photosynthesis

20
Q

Describe the structure of the permanent
vacuole in plants.

A

● Surrounded by a single membrane, tonoplast
● Contains cell sap (mineral ions, water,
enzymes, soluble pigments)

21
Q

Describe the function of the permanent
vacuole in plants.

A

● Controls turgor pressure
● Water storage
● Isolates harmful waste products
● Maintains pH

22
Q

Define plasmodesmata

A

Microscopic channels between plant cell
walls that facilitate communication and
symplastic transport.

23
Q

Define prokaryotic cell

A

A type of cell that does not contain any
membrane-bound organelles or a true
nucleus.

24
Q

Describe the structure and function of
the flagella in prokaryotic cells.

A

● Long, whip-like protrusion made of flagellin
● Rotates to propel the organism
● Sensory organ

25
Q

How is genetic information stored in
prokaryotes?

A

● Plasmids - small rings of DNA that carry
non-essential genes, exchanged between bacterial
cells via conjugation
● Loop of DNA - circular DNA stored in the nucleoid
region of the cell

26
Q

Describe the structure and function of pili
in prokaryotic cells.

A

● Hair-like microfibers made of pilin that extend
through the cell wall
● Enable the attachment of bacteria to each other
and to other surfaces

27
Q

Describe the structure and function of
the mesosome.

A

● Infolds of the cell membrane
● Increase the surface area of the cell, aiding
cellular respiration

28
Q

What is the function of the capsule in
prokaryotic cells?

A

● Protective, slimy layer
● Helps the cell to retain moisture and adhere
to other surfaces

29
Q

Which organelles are found in both
eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

A

● Cell membrane
● Cytoplasm with a form of cytoskeleton (although
cytoskeleton of eukaryotes is more significant)
● Ribosomes

30
Q

Contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic
cells.

A

Prokaryotic
* Small, unicellular Large
* No membrane-bound organelles, no nucleus
* Circular DNA, not associated with proteins
* 70S ribosomes 80S ribosomes
* Reproduce via binary fission
* Peptidoglycan cell wall
* Extrachromosomal DNA in plasmids

Eukaryotic
* Often multicellular
* Contain membrane-bound organelles and true nucleus
* Linear chromosomes associated with histones
* Reproduce via sexual or asexual reproduction
* Cell wall made of cellulose (plants) or chitin (fungi)
* Extra DNA in some organelles, e.g. mitochondria

31
Q

Contrast eukaryotic plant and animal
cells.

A

Plant cells
* Cellulose cell wall
* Large permanent vacuole
* Contain chloroplasts
* No pseudopodia

Animal cells
* No cell wall
* Small temporary vacuoles (vesicles)
* No chloroplasts
* Some may have pseudopodia

32
Q

What is a light microscope?

A

A type of microscope that uses a series
of lenses to magnify the visible light
reflecting off a specimen.

33
Q

What is magnification?

A

The number of times bigger an image
appears compared to the size of the
specimen.

34
Q

How can the magnification of an image
be calculated?

A

image size / actual size

35
Q

Describe cell theory

A

● The cell is the fundamental unit of all life forms
● New cells can be formed from existing cells
● Cells contain genetic material which can be transferred
to daughter cells

36
Q

What is a virus?

A

A non-living microorganism that consists
of genetic material surrounded by a
protein husk.

37
Q

How do viruses differ from prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells?

A

Virus
* Non-living
* Smaller and simpler in structure
* Genetic material in the form of DNA or RNA
* Can only reproduce within a host cell
* No ribosomes

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
* Living
* Larger and more complex structure
* Genetic material in the form of DNA
* Independent cell division, sexual or asexual
* Contain ribosomes

38
Q

How are multicellular organisms
organised?

A

● Many cells make up a tissue
● Many tissues make up an organ
● Many organs make up an organ system

39
Q

Define tissue

A

A group of cells working together to carry
out a specific function.

40
Q

Define organ

A

A group of tissues working together to
carry out a specific function.

41
Q

Define organ system

A

A group of organs working together to
carry out a specific function.

Biology A- Level (11 decks)

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