Introduction to Cell Biology – Structure and Function of the Cell Flashcards
What are the three principles of cell theory?
- Cells are the fundamental units of life
- All organisms are composed of cells:
- All cells come from pre-existing cells:
Describe the principle Cells are the fundamental units of life:
The principles that underlie the functions of the single celled bacterium are similar to those governing the 60 trillion cells of your body.
Describe the principle All organisms are composed of cells
Life is continuous, arising from other cells.
Describe the principle All cells come from pre-existing cells.
The origin of life on Earth was marked by the origin of the first cells.
Prokaryotic cells include…
…all bacteria and possess a simpler structure than eukaryotic cells.
What are prokaryotic cells?
Cells with no defined nucleus
What is the function of the plasma membrane in prokaryotes?
separates the external environment from the internal cytoplasm. It creates an impermeable barrier to most molecules.
What is the function of the cell wall in prokaryotes?
Cell wall provides strength and rigidity: but permeable to many small molecules
Eukaryotic cells include…
…all plants and animals as well as many single celled organisms: algae, amoebae, fungi and moulds. (Eukaryotic – cells with a true nucleus)
Unlike prokaryotes, eukaryotic cells contain…
…extensive internal membranes that define a collection of subcellular structures – organelles
The cytoplasm of eukaryotes also contains…
…a network of fibres called the cytoskeleton, which give the cell strength and rigidity and also control movement within the cell.
Plant cells are surrounded by…
…a rigid cell wall and contain a large membrane bound vacuole and chloroplasts.
Despite their differences, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have many …
…biochemical pathways in common – thus believed to have descended from the same ancestral cell.
Size of prokaryotes?
2um (2x10-6m)
Amount of dna in prokaryotes?
1.36 mm
Number of genes in prokaryotes?
4377
DNA organisation of prokaryotes?
1 circular chromosome in nucleoid
Size of eukaryotes?
10 – 100 mm
(1x10-5 – 1x10-4 m)
Amount of DNA in eukaryotes?
990 mm
Number of genes in eukaryotes?
30-38000
DNA organisation of eukaryotes?
2 or more chromosomes in membrane bound nucleus
The scale in microscopy is…
…logarithmic. Each unit is 10 times bigger than the previous unit.
Describe how Standard Light Microscopy: The compound microscope works.
Uses UV-visible light and several lenses to magnify the image of a specimen under study.
Describe how Electron microscopy (EM): transmission EM/ scanning EM works.
Fundamental principles similar to light microscopy except electromagnetic lenses focus a high velocity electron beam under high vacuum.
Example of microscope of standard light microscopy?
The compound microscope
Example of microscope of electron microscope.
transmission EM/ scanning EM
WHats the resolving power of the compound microscope (bright-field microscopy)?
0.2um (1 x 10-7 m)
Describe Confocal and Immunofluorescence microscopy
Fluorescent antibodies ‘stain’ specific organelles/structures within the cell.
Confocal scanning microscope (which looks at a single focal plane) creates much sharper images.
Describe Time-Lapse Microscopy.
- Saccharomyces cerevisae
- Treated with a-mating factor
- Picture taken every 3 minutes for 16 hours.
In Electron microscopy (EM): transmission EM / scanning EM…
…Heavy metal stains scatter (diffract) the electrons and appear dark in the image
Describe Transmission electron microscopy
- Passes an electron beam through a sample.
- Very thin samples (50-100nm) need to be prepared and stained with heavy metals (gold / osmium).
Resolving power of Transmission electron microscopy?
50pm (5 x 10-11 m)
Describe Scanning electron microscopy
Sample is coated with a thin layer of heavy metal (platinum) and the electron beam scans the surface. The image is formed from secondary electrons given off by the sample.
Resolving power of Scanning electron microscopy.
Resolving power: 10nm (1 x 10-8 m)
The plasma membrane forms…
…the boundary between the external and internal environment of the cell.
What is the phospholipid bilayer comprised of?
- Hydrophilic phosphate head groups.
- Hydrophobic lipid tails
Describe the Hydrophilic phosphate head groups
orientate toward the aqueous internal / external environments
Describe Hydrophobic lipid tails
orientate towards each other.