introduction to cells

Question 1

what is the order of building blocks in the body?

Answer 1

cells
tissues
organs
organ systems

Question 2

what do all cell types possess?

Answer 2

cell membrane
DNA
cytoplasm
ribosomes

Question 3

what are the two categories within living organisms is the taxonomic kingdoms of life?

Answer 3

prokaryotic and eukaryotic

Question 4

what are the categories within prokaryotes?

Answer 4

archaobacteria and eubacteria

Question 5

what are the categotries within eukaryotes?

Answer 5

unicellular and multicellular

Question 6

what are the properties of prokaryotic cells?

Answer 6

• small
• simple internal structure
• no internal-membrane bound organelles
• includes bacteria
• no nucleus

Question 7

what are the properties of eukaryotic cells?

Answer 7

• larger
• complex
• in animals and plants
• have a nucleus

Question 8

what is the function of the plasma membrane?

Answer 8

• A semi-permeable barrier between cytoplasm and external environment
• Retains most organically produced chemicals inside the cell
• Allows a few molecules across: diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport
• Communication: receptors on cell surface

Question 9

describe the structure of the plasma membrane

Answer 9

lipid bilayer, fluid mosaic model
- hydrophilic head of phospholipid
- hydrophobic tail of phospholipid
- cholesterol embedded- provides integrity
- proteins- allow molecules in and out the cell

Question 10

what are some common pathologies of the cell membrane?

Answer 10

• haemoglobinopathies
  eg sickle cell aneamia and thalassemia

Question 11

what is DNA stored in eukaryotic cells?

Answer 11

mostly in the nucleus

Question 12

where is RNA formed?

Answer 12

the nucleus, at the nucleolus

Question 13

what is the function of ribosomes?

Answer 13

facilitate protein translation

Question 14

what is a rare ribosome pathology?

Answer 14

treacher collins syndrome- abnormal craniofacial development

Question 15

what is the ER and its function?

Answer 15

endoplasmic reticulum
- mesh of interconnected membranes
- involved in protein synthesis and transport

Question 16

what is the function of the RER?

Answer 16

protein modification and production

Question 17

what is the predominant function of the SER?

Answer 17

manufacture of lipids

Question 18

what does ER dysfunction result in?

Answer 18

neurodegenerative diseases as a result of defective protein folding
- associated with ageing

Question 19

how do proteins move from the ER to the Golgi appuratus?

Answer 19

transport vesicles

Question 20

what is the function of the golgi apparatus?

Answer 20

• post-translational modifications
• storing proteins
• packages proteins

Question 21

what are diseases related to the golgi?

Answer 21

Impaired trafficking of proteins through Golgi
- Defect in trafficking of protein important in making myelin (insulates nerve fibres and promotes signalling) causes hypomyelinating disorders (e.g. cataract)
Impairments in post-translational modification capacity
- Defective glycosylation disorders (glycoprotein and glycolipids)
- Wide spectrum of pathologies that effect multiple organs
Functionality lost due to mutations in proteins that make up Golgi
- Muscular dystrophy

Question 22

what is the function of vacuoles?

Answer 22

storage

Question 23

what is the function of vesicles?

Answer 23

transport

Question 24

what are lysosomes and their functions?

Answer 24

• Large vesicles formed by the Golgi apparatus
• Contain hydrolytic enzymes capable of destroying the cell
• Lysosome contents function in the breakdown of extracellular materials

Question 25

what is the function of mitochondria?

Answer 25

• contain DNA
• energy release

Question 26

what is the function of the cytoskeleton?

Answer 26

Maintains shape of cell
Anchors organelles
Moves cell
Controls internal movement of organelles