life at the cellular level (1) - cells Flashcards
what is the cell
the functional unit of all living things
It is composed of cells and each cell is a membrane-bound volume of cytoplasm, containing DNA with the necessary genetic information to direct the development of the cell
how many cells do all organisms consist of
one or more
how do cells arise
all cells only arise from pre-existing cells
what do all cells have
a cell membrane and cel organelles
what are cell organelles
the machinery of the cell
what must all substances entering or leaving the cell cross
the cell membrane
List the features common to most cells
Plasma membrane Cytoplasm Cytosol Ribosomes Nucleus (eukaryote) Nucleoid (prokaryote)
Eukaryotic cells possess a complex cytoskeleton and is organised into internal compartments
what are the domains of life
prokaryotes
eukaryotes
archea (but we will not be looking at this)
what domain of life do human cells belong to
eukaryotes
what domain of life do bacterial cells belong to
prokaryotes
what domain of life do multicellular animal and plant cells belong to
eukaryotes
what do eukaryotic cells contain
nucleus with membrane
membrane bound organelles
what do prokaryotic cells contain
lack nuclear membrane
no mitochondria
no membrane bound organelles
what are stem cells
cells that can differentiate into many (multipotent) or any (pluripotent) cell types of the body
why are stem cells clinically of great interest
as recent advancements in medical science now allow stem cells to be used in the treatment of certain diseases including some cancers
what can undifferentiated stem cells do
divide and give rise to daughter cells
what do differences in gene expression and the local cellular environmental cause
the daughter cells to develop into different cell types
what is apoptosis
controlled, programmed cell death
is apoptosis a normal process
yes, it is a normal process and essential for normal finction
what is apoptosis intimately coupled with
cell proliferation
what is cell proliferation
the process by which a cell grows and divides to produce two daughter cells