Eukaryotic Cells Flashcards
What is the Nucleus? What are the functions?
The nucleus contains the organism’s hereditary material and controls the cell’s activities.
Around 10-20um in diameter.
What are the functions of the Mitochondria?
- Site of aerobic stages of respiration
- Production of energy carrier molecule ATP from respiratory substrates such as glucose
Appearance: Mitochondria are usually rod shaped and 1-10um in length.
Chromosomes
Consist of protein-bound, linear DNA
What is the cell wall? What are the functions?
Cell wall consists of microfibrils of the polysaccharide cellulose, embedded in a matrix. Cellulose microfibrils have considerable strength and so contribute to the overall strength of the cell wall.
Features:
- consist number of polysaccharides, eg cellulose
- There is a thin layer, called the middle lamella, which marks the boundary between adjacent cell walls and cements adjacent cells together.
Nucleolus
Small spherical region within the nucleoplasm.
Manufactures rRNA and assembles ribosomes.
There may be more than 1 nucleolus in 1 nucleus.
What are lysosomes? How are they formed?
Lysosomes are formed when the vesicles produced by the Golgi apparatus contain enzymes such as proteases and lipases.
They also contain lysozymes, enzymes that hydrolyse the cell walls of certain bacteria.
As many as 50 such enzymes may be contained in a single lysosome.
Up to 1um in diameter, lysosomes isolate these enzymes from the rest of the cell before releasing them, either to the outside or into a phagocytic vesicle within the cell.
What are the cell walls of algae and fungi made of?
Algae : made of either cellulose or glycoproteins, or a mixture of both
Fungi: do not contain cellulose but comprise a mixture of a nitrogen containing polysaccharide called chitin, a polysaccharide called glycan and glycoproteins.
What is the Golgi apparatus?
Occurs in almost all eukaryotic cells, similar to SER in structure except more compact.
Consists of stack of membranes that make up flattened sacs called cisternae, with small rounded hollow structures called vesicles.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
SER lacks ribosomes on its surface and is often more tubular in appearance.
Functions:
- synthesise, store and transport lipids
- Synthesise, store and transport carbohydrates.
What is known as the ultra structure of the cell?
Cells are often adapted to perform a particular function. Depending on that function, each cell type has an internal structure that suits it for its job. This is known as the ultrastructure.
What are ribosomes? What are the 2 types?
Ribosomes are small cytoplasmic granules found in all cells. They may occur in the cytoplasm or be associated with the RER.
Two types:
80S - found in eukaryotic cells, around 24nm in diameter
70s - found in prokaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts, slightly smaller.
Ribosomes have two subunits - one large and one small, each contains rRNA and protein.
Despite their small size, they occur in vast numbers that they can account for up to 25% of the dry mass of a cell. Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis.
What are the functions of the nucleus? (3)
- Act as the control centre of the cell through the production of mRNA and tRNA and hence protein synthesis.
- Retain the genetic material of the cell in the form of DNA and chromosomes.
- Manufacture rRNA and ribosomes.
What are the functions of the nucleus? (3)
- Act as the control centre of the cell through the production of mRNA and tRNA and hence protein synthesis.
- Retain the genetic material of the cell in the form of DNA and chromosomes.
- Manufacture rRNA and ribosomes.
What is the Stroma? (Chloroplast)
Stroma is the fluid filled matrix where the second stage of photosynthesis (synthesis of sugars) takes place.
Within the stroma are other structures eg starch grains.
What is the chloroplast envelope? (Chloroplasts)
Double plasma membrane that surrounds the organelle.
It’s highly selective in what it allows to enter and leave the chloroplast.