Lecture 1 Flashcards
Five Essential Characteristics of All Living Cells
1) Bounded by a lipid-rich membrane
2) Capable of autonomous replication
3) Capable of synthesizing proteins
4) Capable of regulated metabolic activity
5) Contains nucleic acid capable of passing down one complete copy of the genome
Human Genome Project
23,000 human genes
5,000 have KNOWN functions
RNA
The machinery of protein synthesis is conserved among all cells through RNA
What Established the Three Domain Model
The three domain model emerged primarily from studies of sequences of non-coding RNA molecules. The lack of translation.
Non-Coding RNA
Functional RNA molecules that do not code or get translated into protein
Which of the three Domains shows the highest level of biochemical diversity
Prokaryotes (eubacteria)
- Aerobic, Anaerobic
- Able to inhabit a large range of environments
- Able to sustain themselves from inorganic materials
- Unicellular or multicellular clusters
What are the three components of the cytoskeleton
-Actin, intermediate filaments, and microfilaments
What is the main function of actin in the cell?
Cell Motility and Cell shape
What is the main function of intermediate filaments in the cell
Mechanical support
What is the main function of Microtubules in the cell
The form “tracks” that aid the the cellular transport of organelles and vesicles. Play a major role in mitosis. Forms the centrioles
What does the nucleus do
Guards the genome. Regulates access. DNA replication and transcription
Endoplasmic reticulum
Series of folded membranes attached to the nucleus that consists of rough and smooth components. About 50% of the total membrane surface in an animal cell is provided by the endoplasmic reticulum
What are some functions performed by the ER
New membrane. Production of membrane proteins. Protein suerveillance. N Glycosylation, Calcium storage
Glycosylation
Starts in the Endoplasmic reticulum and continues into the Golgi apparatus
What are the two main functions of the Golgi apparatus
Processing and Distribution
What are some of the functions carried out by the Golgi apparatus?
Glycosylation. Protein surveillance. Packaging and distribution, Secretory vesicles
Cytosol
The part of the cytoplasm that is not partitioned off within intracellular membranes. This is where proteins are manufactored from ribosomes attached to the cytosolic surface of the Endoplasmic reticulum
Composition of the cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a crowded place where most water is bound. Gel-like substance. About 80% water
Endosome
Distributes and recycles materials acquired through endocytosis
Secretory vesicles
Process and deliver products to the plasma membrane through exocytosis
What are some of the functions of the mitochondria
It has a double membrane
Carries out aerobic metabolism. Site where citric acid cycle takes place along with oxidative phosphorylation. Apoptosis
Endosymbiosis Hypothesis
Hypothesis which states that the mitochondria originated as a lone bacteria that became incorporated into the an early eukaryotic cell. It later developed its distinctive double membrane
Evidence supporting the Endosymbiosis Hypothesis
- similar size
- circular genome
- similar ribosomes
- unique tRNAs
- aerobic metabolism
Chloroplasts or Mitochondria-which came first?
Mitochondria merged with eukaryotic animal cells before chloroplasts did
