IMMS Flashcards
What is the function of the cytosol?
fluid matrix of the cell
Describe the structure of the nucleus.
nuclear membrane- double membrane perforated with pores
contains cellular DNA and nucleolus
What is the function of the nucleolus?
forms RNA
What are the types of nuclear DNA?
euchromatin- actively transcribing chromatin
heterochromatin- less active
What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
protein synthesis
What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
lipid production
What is the general function of the Golgi?
processing and modifying proteins
What are the different parts of the Golgi and what do each do?
cis face- received vesicles from SER
medial face- forms complex oligosaccharides
transface- proteolysis
What is the function of the lysosomes?
contain hydrolytic enzymes
What are the three elements of the cytoskeleton and what size are they?
microfilaments- 5nm
intermediate- 10nm
microtubules- 25nm
What are microfilaments made of?
actin
What is the function of intermediate filaments?
anchored to transmembrane proteins and spread tensile forces
What are the types of intermediate filaments in the cytoskeleton?
cytokeratin desmin glial fibrillary acidic neurofilaments laminin vimentin
What are microtubules made of?
tubule proteins
Describe the structure of a phospholipid
hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail
consists of a glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phosphate head
What effect does the phospholipid bilayer have on the membrane?
gives fluidity and elasticity
What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane?
gives fluidity
What are glycolipids and glycoproteins function in the cell membrane?
cell signalling
What are the types of cell junctions?
tight junction adherens junction desmosomes gap junction hemidesmosomes
What is the function of tight junctions?
seals neighbouring cells together in an epithelial sheet to prevent leakage of molecules between them
What is the function of adherens junctions?
joins an actin bundle in one cell to a similar bundle in a neighbouring cell
What is the function of desmosomes?
joins intermediate filaments in one cell to those in a neighbouring cell