Study Guide: The Cell

Question 1

What is homeostasis?

Answer 1

Each cell contributes to maintaining a stable internal environment, crucial for survival

Question 2

What is the role of the cell membrane?

Answer 2

Regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell

Question 3

What is the composition of the cell membrane?

Answer 3

Lipid bilayer, embedded proteins, and cholesterol

Question 4

What is the phospholipid bilayer?

Answer 4

Foundation of the membrane, composed of phospholipids with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails

Question 5

How does cholesterol function in the cell membrane?

Answer 5

Maintains membrane fluidity, allowing it to remain flexible and functional

Question 6

Why is cell membrane fluidity important?

Answer 6

Allows adaptation to changes and maintains functions like endocytosis and exocytosis

Question 7

What are integral proteins?

Answer 7

Proteins embedded in the membrane that facilitate the movement of substances

Question 8

What are peripheral proteins?

Answer 8

Attached to the membrane surface, involved in signaling and maintaining cell shape

Question 9

What does selective permeability mean?

Answer 9

The cell membrane allows only certain substances to pass through

Question 10

What is diffusion?

Answer 10

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy input

Question 11

What is facilitated diffusion?

Answer 11

Use of carrier proteins to move large or polar molecules across the membrane

Question 12

What is osmosis?

Answer 12

Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane

Question 13

What is active transport?

Answer 13

Transport of molecules against their concentration gradient using energy

Question 14

What is endocytosis?

Answer 14

The process by which cells internalize substances by engulfing them

Question 15

What is phagocytosis?

Answer 15

Engulfment of large particles by cells

Question 16

What is pinocytosis?

Answer 16

Ingestion of extracellular fluid and dissolved substances

Question 17

What is receptor-mediated endocytosis?

Answer 17

Specific molecules are brought into the cell after binding to receptors

Question 18

What is exocytosis?

Answer 18

The export of materials from the cell using vesicles that fuse with the cell membrane

Question 19

What is cytoplasm?

Answer 19

Everything within the cell membrane, excluding the nucleus

Question 20

What is cytosol?

Answer 20

Intracellular fluid within which organelles are suspended

Question 21

What are organelles?

Answer 21

Specialized structures within cells that perform specific tasks

Question 22

What is the nucleus?

Answer 22

The control center of the cell, containing genetic material (DNA)

Question 23

What is the function of the nucleolus?

Answer 23

Produces ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembles ribosomes

Question 24

What is chromatin?

Answer 24

A complex of DNA and protein found in the nucleus

Question 25

What is the endomembrane system?

Answer 25

A series of compartments that modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins

Question 26

What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?

Answer 26

Studded with ribosomes and involved in protein synthesis

Question 27

What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?

Answer 27

Lacks ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification

Question 28

What is the Golgi apparatus's role?

Answer 28

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion

Question 29

What do lysosomes contain?

Answer 29

Digestive enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris

Question 30

What are mitochondria known for?

Answer 30

Generating ATP through cellular respiration

Question 31

What are peroxisomes involved in?

Answer 31

Detoxifying harmful substances and lipid metabolism

Question 32

What is the cytoskeleton?

Answer 32

A dynamic network of fibers providing structural support and facilitating cell movement

Question 33

What are microfilaments composed of?

Answer 33

Actin

Question 34

What is the function of intermediate filaments?

Answer 34

Provide tensile strength and maintain cell integrity

Question 35

What are microtubules made of?

Answer 35

Tubulin

Question 36

What role do centrioles play in cell division?

Answer 36

Organize microtubules and form the mitotic spindle

Question 37

What initiates protein synthesis?

Answer 37

Transcription of DNA into mRNA in the nucleus

Question 38

What is cellular respiration?

Answer 38

Conversion of glucose into ATP in mitochondria

Question 39

What is the role of the SER in liver cells?

Answer 39

Detoxifying harmful substances

Question 40

What is autophagy?

Answer 40

The process of recycling damaged organelles and proteins

Question 41

What is apoptosis?

Answer 41

Controlled cell death necessary for development and disease prevention