Lab 8 - Cell Motility Flashcards
What is Brownian Movement?
An oscillating motion caused by the molecules in the surrounding liquid media hitting the organism
What is “True Motility”?
Directed movement by an organism
Define Chemotaxis, Phototaxis, and Aerotaxis?
Movement that occurs in response to a chemical or light stimulant or [O2]
What is the purpose of the cytoskeleton?
Gives cells, internal organization, shape, and capacity to move.
What are 5 main descriptors of microtubules?
- long and hollow
- Cylindrical
- The largest type of cytoskeleton filament
- Rigid compared to other 2
- Made up of tubulin subunits
When do microtubules usually form?
During cell division as a part of the mitotic spindle
What are 4 descriptors for Microfilaments/Actin filaments?
- Made of Actin monomers
- the smallest of the cytoskeleton filaments
- helical
- flexible
Where are Microfilaments/Actin filaments found?
Everywhere! But especially cortex under the plasma membrane»_space; This means that it’s key to cell motility in pseudo pods
What are 2 main descriptors for Intermediate filaments?
- Rope like
- Most stable
Where are intermediate filaments found?
- inner nuclear membrane
- extends across the cytoplasm
How does the cytoskeleton play a role in the lung disease?
People with lung disease have neutrophils that are unable to change in shape and squeeze through capillaries; this is due to changes in the actin filament/microfilament that causes ruffling
What is cytoplasmic streaming?
The circular flow of cytoplasm within a cell; speeds up the distribution of materials and movement of organelles
What is difference between ectoplasm and endoplasm?
Ectoplasm: viscous & peripheral
Endoplasm: fluid & internal
How do pseudopods extend and contract?
Through the assembly or disassembly of actin subunits into actin filaments/ microfilaments, and microfilaments into networks that convert from soluble like endoplasm to gel like ectoplasm.
What are the 3 colour states of Congo Red?
- Orange-red: pH greater than 5»_space; Basic
- Purple: pH between 3-5
- Blue: pH lower than 3»_space; Acidic