Eukaryotic Cell Biology Flashcards
Describe the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.
Double membrane (nuclear envelope) bound compartment containing the genetic information of the cell Genetic information is organised into chromosomes
Describe the nucleolus.
Site of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) production
Responsible for synthesising and assembling RNA and protein to form ribosomes (essential for protein synthesis)
Three types of endoplasmic reticulum:
Rough
Transitional
Smooth
What does the rough endoplasmic reticulum do?
Ribosome studded to make secretory proteins
What does the transitional endoplasmic reticulum do?
Lipid and protein transport
What does the smooth endoplasmic reticulum do?
Lipid synthesis
Calcium storage
Detoxification
What is the golgi and what does it do?
Stack of flattened vesicles
Processes and packages secretory proteins
Major sorting compartment for protein traffic within the cell
Compartment between protein creation and secretion
What are secretory vesicles?
Membrane bound small packages that contain proteins for export from the cell
What are mitochondria?
Site of aerobic respiration
Contains an inner and outer membrane
Cells performing high energy tasks contain many mitochondria
Describe lysosomes.
Storage for enzymes used to break up cellular components
Contain at least 50 different hydrolytic enzymes
Capable of breaking down almost any biological molecule so most be carefully separated from the rest of the cell
What do peroxisomes do?
Generate and degrade hydrogen peroxide
Detoxify harmful compounds
Catabolise unusual substances
What does the cytoskeleton do?
Framework for cell size, shape and structure
Forms the basis of the transport system within the cell
What do centrosomes do?
Nucleates microtubules of the cytoskeleton
Contains centrioles
What does the plasma membrane do?
Defines cell boundaries and retains cell content
Lipid bilayer containing proteins
How do we study organelles?
Light microscopy
Electron microscopy
Cell fractionation
