Intro to the Cell and their Organelles Flashcards
What is an Atom?
The tiniest part of an element that has all of the properties of the element
What is an Cell?
The basic structural and functional, microscopic part of all living things.
What is an Organelle?
Specialized structures within the cell that perform particular functions (ex. nucleus).
What is a Tissue?
A group of cells that work together to perform a specialized task.
What is an Organ?
A structure composed of different tissues specialized to carry out a specific function.
What is an Organ System?
A group of organs that have related functions.
What is an Organsism?
A single living thing.
What is a Population?
A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area at the same time.
What is a Community?
Population of all species living in a particular area at a particular time.
What is a Community?
A community of different species interacting with one another and with the abiotic environment.
What is the Biosphere?
The part of the Earth is inhabited by plants and animals (all communities of living things on Earth)
What are the three main points of Cell Theory?
All organisms are composed of cells.
Cells are the basic unit of life.
Cells derive from preexisting cells that have multiplied.
What are the three main points of Modern Cell Theory?
DNA is passed between cells during cell mutation.
The cells of organisms within a similar species are the same, both structurally and chemically.
Energy flows within cells.
What is a Prokaryotic Cell and what are its characteristics?
A prokaryotic cell is a simple, single-celled (unicellular) organism that lacks a nucleus, or any other membrane-bound organelle. We will shortly come to see that this is significantly different in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic DNA is found in the central part of the cell: a darkened region called the nucleoid. Prokaryotic cells are at 0.1–5.0 µm in diameter, these cells are significantly smaller than eukaryotic cells.
What is an Eukaryotic Cell and what are its characteristics?
A eukaryotic cell is a cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound compartments or sacs, called organelles, which have specialized functions. The word eukaryotic means “true kernel” or “true nucleus,” alluding to the presence of the membrane-bound nucleus in these cells. The word “organelle” means “little organ,” and, as we learned earlier, organelles have specialized cellular functions, just as the organs of your body have specialized functions. Eukaryotic cells have diameters ranging from 10–100 µm.
Compare and Contrast Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells.
Prokaryotic Cell has no nucleus, and DNA arrangement is found in the central part of the cell.
Size (diameter): 0.1–5.0 µm in diameter
Always Unicellular.
Eukaryotic Cell has a Membrane-bound nucleus where DNA is surrounded by this membrane.
Size (diameter): 10–100 µm
Can be unicellular or multicellular.
What is the Cytoplasm and what are their functions?
Provides the shape of the cell, enabling the organelles to remain in place and in position. Jelly-like fluid.
What is the Cell membrane and what are their functions?
Lipid bilayer that is semipermeable and surrounds the cells.
What are the Nucleus and what are their functions?
The repository of genetic information and is the cell’s control center: houses DNA and RNA information.
What is the Nuclear membrane and what are their functions?
Separates the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm.
What is the Mitochondria and what are their functions?
The powerhouse of the cell: generates the energy (ATP) by converting food, which is necessary to power the cell.
What is the Endoplasmic reticulum and what are their functions?
Producing cellular products (hormones, proteins, and lipids) for the rest of the cell to function. Then responsible for transporting the products throughout the cell.
What are the Golgi bodies and what are their functions?
Process and package proteins and lipid molecules, these proteins are destined to be exported from the cell.
Packing materials and sending them throughout the cell.
What are the Vacuoles and what are their functions?
Store food, waste, and water for the cell; regulating storage and house transport of substances.
What is the Cell wall and what are its functions?
Gives the cell a definite shape and structure, providing support. Separates the interior of the cell from the outer environment.
What is Chloroplasts and what are their functions?
Produces energy through photosynthesis and oxygen release processes, which sustain plant growth.
What are the Ribosomes and what are their functions?
Production of protein in the cell.
What are the Lysosomes and what are their functions?
Digestive system of the cell, serving to degrade material taken up from outside of the cell and digest obsolete components of the cell itself.
Only in animal cells and assists waste disposal.
Differentiate between plant and animal cells.
i) Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells
ii) Lysosomes are found only in animal cells
iii) Animal cells do not have cell walls whereas plant cells do.
