Section 1: Cell Structure Flashcards
What are prokaryotic organisms?
Single celled, IE just prokaryotic cells. Don’t contain nucleus or any membrane bound organelle.
What are eukaryotic organisms?
Contain a nucleus and/or membrane bound organelles. Made from complex eukaryotic cells.
Which is smaller and simpler, eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells.
2 examples of eukaryotic cells:
Animal and plant cells.
What structures/organelles are contained within animal cells?
Plasma (cell structure) membrane; Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum; Nucleolus; Nucleus; Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum; Lysosome; Ribosome; Nuclear Envelope; Golgi Apparatus; Cytoplasm: Mitochondrion.
How are plant cells structurally different to animal cells?
Have: cell wall with plasmodesmata; vacuole; chloroplasts.
What structures/organelles are contained within plant cells?
Plasma (cell surface) membrane; Chloroplast; Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum; Plasmodesma; Mitochondrion; Golgi Apparatus; Vacuole; Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum; Cytoplasm; Nuclear Envelope; Nucleolus; Nucleus; Ribosome; Cell Wall.
What is the plasma membrane mainly made up of?
Lipids and protein.
What are the functions of the plasma cells?
Regulates movement of substances into and out of cell.
Receptor molecules on it to respond to chemicals (EG hormones).
What is the cell wall mainly made of?
Cellulose.
What is the function of the cell wall?
Supporting plant cells.
What is the nucleus made from?
Nuclear envelope (double membrane) surrounds it. Nucleus contains chromatin (from DNA and protein) and the nucleolus.
What is the function of the nucleus?
Controls cell activities. DNA has instructions to make proteins. Pores in nuclear envelope allow substances like RNA to move between nucleus and cytoplasm. Nucleolus makes ribosomes.
Briefly describe a lysosome:
Round organelle surrounded by membrane. No clear internal structure.
What is the function of the lysosome?
Use digestive enzymes (contained by membrane) to digest invading cells and break down worn out components of cell.
What are ribosomes made up of?
Proteins and RNA.
Where are ribosomes located?
Floating free in cytoplasm or attached to rough ER.
What is the function of ribosomes?
Site where proteins are made.
Briefly describe the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:
System of membranes enclosing fluid filled space. Surface covered in ribosomes.
What is the function of the Rough ER?
Folds and processes proteins from ribosomes.
Briefly describe the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:
System of membranes enclosing fluid filled space. No ribosomes.
What is the function of the Smooth ER?
Synthesises and processes lipids.
Briefly describe vesicles:
Small, fluid filled sacs in cytoplasm, surrounded by a membrane.
What is the function of vesicles?
Transporting substances into and out of cell (via plasma membrane) and between organelles.
Where are the vesicles formed?
Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, cell surface.
Briefly describe the Golgi Apparatus:
Group of fluid filled, membrane bound, flattened sacs with vesicles on the edges.
What is the function of the Golgi Apparatus?
Processes and packages new lipids and proteins. Also makes lysosomes.
What do Mitochondria contain?
Cristae, matrix, enzymes for respiration.
Briefly describe the structure of the mitochondrion:
Oval shaped. Double membrane, inner one folded (cristae). Matrix inside, contains respiration enzymes.
What is the function of the mitochondrion?
Aerobic respiration site. ATP produced here.
Where are mitochondria found?
Found in large numbers in very active cells that require lots of energy.
What do chloroplasts contain?
Thylakoid membranes (stacked together to form grana). Lamellae (made from thylakoid membrane) link grana together. Surrounded by stroma.
Briefly describe the structure of chloroplasts:
Small, flattened. Surrounded by double membrane. Has thylakoid membrane inside. They’re stacked into grana and linked by lamellae (thylakoid membrane).
Where are chloroplasts found?
In plant cells.