Exam #2 Flashcards
Cells as building blocks
basic building blocks of the body
each type of cell serves specific functions
characteristics of cells
all cells
1. DNA is used to direct the synthesis of proteins through transcriptions & translation
2. they are too small to be seen with the naked eye
3. a plasma membrane
microscopy
microscopes are essential tools for studying cells due to their small size
different types of microscopes provide different views and levels of detail
light microscopes
use visible light that passes through lenses
used to view living organisms, but staining may be needed to view cellular components
fluorescence microscopes
uses light of specific wavelengths (ie,colors) together with complicated specimen preparation to visualize sub-celluar structures
electron microscopes
uses beams of electrons for higher magnification and resolution than light microscopes
cannot view live cells (preparation kills cells)
prokaryotic cells
- bacteria and archaea
- simple structure - lack nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- key features: plasma membrane, cytoplasm, DNA (in the nucleoid region) and ribosomes
- cell walls (made of peptidoglycan in bacteria), sometimes with capsules, and use flagella for movement
eukaryotic cells
- animals, plants, fungi and protists
- more complex with membrane-bound nucleus and organelles
- larger than prokaryotic cells (10-100um)
- adaptations such as specialized organelles
help manage the large size and complex functions of eukaryotic cells
compartmentalized
eukaryotic cell structure
- compartmentalized for order and efficiency
- complex intracellular skeletal system - cytoskeleton
- cells of multicellular organisms are surrounded by extracellular substance, they also form a variety of cell junctions
- “cell junctions” - refers to sites of contact between adjacent cells
plasma membrane
- phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins
- regulates the passage of substances in and out of the cell
- contains cholesterol and carbohydrates, which provide structural support
cytoplasm
- cell’s internal fluid
- organelles suspended in an an aqueous solution within which organelles reside called cytosol
- contains water, ions, proteins, sugars, fatty acids
- many metabolic reactions (protein synthesis) take place here
endomembrane system
- nuclear envelope
- rough er
- golgi apparatus
- vesicles
- plasma membrane
these structures work together to produce, modify, package and transport proteins to the lysosomes and plasma membrane
nucleus
control center of the cell
- contains DNA as chromosomes
- DNA is wrapped around proteins and is condensed into chromatin
- DNA directs transcription and protein synthesis
- The nucleus has two phospholipid bilayers called the nuclear envelope
- Nuclear pores allow for large or polar molecules to enter and exit the nucleus (this is how mRNA leaves the nucleus to be translated).
-The outer membrane of the nucleus is covered in ribosomes. The perinuclear space of the nuclear
envelope is continuous with the lumen of the rough ER
endoplasmic reticulum
- an extensive network of membranes organized in folds & stacks called cisternae
- ER membrane organization creates a tubular intracellular compartment – the inside is called the ER lumen
Rough ER
- Studded with ribosomes, it synthesizes and modifies proteins.
- Proteins synthesized on ER-bound ribosomes are transported into the ER lumen as they are
produced - Site where proteins transported by the endomembrane system are produced
- Site of protein modification (by enzymes) with carbohydrates (resulting in “glycoproteins”)
- Initiates transport of proteins toward their final destination by vesicular transport
- Proteins exported from the ER in vesicles travel first to the Golgi apparatus
smooth ER
Lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification (NOT PART OF
ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM)
golgi apparatus
- Functions as the “shipping & receiving center” of the cell
- This organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for distribution within the cell or secretion outside the cell.
- the Golgi apparatus consists of a stack of flattened membranous sacs called cisternae & associated vesicles
- Like the ER, Golgi membranes are organized forming intracellular compartments called the Golgi
lumen
Lysosomes
- Found in animal cells, lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down cellular waste, old organelles, and foreign invaders.
- lysosome function is dependent on the endomembrane system, which delivers hydrolytic enzymes to lysosomes that then breakdown/digest substances within the organelle
Phagocytosis
(1) The internalization of extracellular substances (e.g., food for the cell) in vesicles
(2) The fusion between the vesicles with a lysosome, whereupon the hydrolytic enzymes break down the
substance
autophagy
(1) The encapsulation of a dysfunctional organelle into an intracellular vesicle
(2) The fusion between the vesicle with a lysosome, where the hydrolytic enzymes break down the dysfunctional organelle
Transport vesicles
- transport proteins and other cargo through the cells
(1) Bud a vesicle from the membrane of one compartment
(2) Sort proteins into vesicle while it is budding
(3) The transport vesicle moves to another target compartment
(4) The transport vesicle then fuses with the compartment, in turn releasing the contents within it
mitochondria
- Known as the cell’s powerhouses, mitochondria generate ATP (energy) through cellular respiration using glucose.
(1) All eukaryotic organisms have multiple mitochondria per cell
(2) Mitochondria contain an abundance of proteins that synthesize ATP, most of which are associated with the inner membrane
(3) The cristae folds increase the amount of inner membrane, which in turn increases the
number of proteins & amount of ATP production
(4) They contain their own circular DNA that contains several genes that encode proteins
essential for ATP production
(5) Mitochondria also contain their own ribosomes to synthesize proteins
chloroplasts (plant cells)
Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into
chemical energy stored as glucose.
(1) They have their own DNA and ribosomes, similar to mitochondria.
(2) contain membranous system of flattened, interconnected sacs called thylakoids
(3) Thylakoids contain a molecule called chlorophyll, which along with the many proteins is responsible for producing glucose from solar E
endosymbiosis
Endosymbiotic Theory: This theory suggests that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as separate prokaryotic organisms. Ancient host cells engulfed aerobic bacteria and cyanobacteria, which then developed symbiotic relationships. Over time, these bacteria became specialized as
mitochondria (aerobic bacteria) and chloroplasts (photosynthetic bacteria) within the host cells.
- explains why mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA and ribosomes, which are
similar to those found in bacteria.