Introduction to cell biology Flashcards
The fundamental principles of cell biology and biodiversity. Basic eukaryotic cell structure - compartmentation and organelles. The structure, properties and functions of membranes – lipid bilayers.
What are the two types of cells in terms of compartmentalization?
Prokaryotic (Archaea + Bacteria) and Eukaryotic cells.
How are eukaryotic cells described in terms of their structure?
Highly compartmentalized and chimeric, have membrane bound organelles, like the Golgi, mitochondria.
What theory explains the origin of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells?
The endosymbiotic theory, suggesting mitochondria evolved from a bacterial endosymbiont, originally started as anaerobic - Archeozoic.
What is SSU rRNA and what is it used for?
Small subunit ribosomal RNA, used as a marker to find evolutionary relationships, especially for distinguishing archaea and bacteria.
What do phylogenetic trees represent?
Evolutionary relationships inferred from nucleotide or amino acid sequences.
What discovery is associated with mitochondria’s evolutionary origin?
Mitochondria evolved from alpha proteobacteria through a process of phagocytosis.
Why do mitochondria have their own DNA?
They evolved from bacteria and retained their DNA and ribosomes, allowing them to replicate independently.
What is one hypothesis about nuclear formation in cells?
Nuclear formation might have occurred before the evolution of mitochondria to protect DNA, leading to membrane-bound ribosomes.
What is the conflicting view about Archezoans?
Some scientists believe Archezoans may have contained homologues of mitochondria and are reduced versions of mitochondria-containing species.
What is the function of cellular membranes?
They compartmentalize, protect cell contents, control substance flow, communicate with the outside environment, and enable movement and division.
What is the structure of the cellular membrane?
It consists of a phospholipid bilayer.
