The Cell Flashcards
1
Q
The basic structure of all body systems, organs, and tissues is…
A
The ‘cell’
- Muscles contract because their cells contract.
- Nerves transmit impulses because their cells are sparked into action.
- The liver produces enzymes in its cells.
- Endocrine glands produce hormones in endocrine cells.
2
Q
Types of cells within the body
A
1) Long spindly muscle cells
2) Round red blood cells
3) Flagellated motile sperm cells
4) Oil-filled fat cells
3
Q
Cell membrane
A
- Surrounds the cell.
- Made up of phospholipids and proteins.
- Various mechanisms allow nutrients to pass across the membrane to the cell’s interior.
4
Q
Cytosol
A
- Located within the cell membrane.
- Also termed ‘cytoplasm’.
- The fluid portion of the cell that distributes materials and is the centre of metabolic activities.
- Where enzymes and other proteins used by the body are produced.
- Also contains the ‘cytoskeleton’ and ‘centrosome’.
5
Q
Cytoskeleton
A
- The internal framework located within the cytosol.
- Fibers can be seen throughout the cytosol/cytoplasm (they look like long, thin wavy lines).
- Includes microfilaments and microtubules.
6
Q
Microfilaments
A
Provide the mechanism for contraction in muscle cells.
7
Q
Microtubules
A
Function in replication.
8
Q
Microvilli
A
- A series of projections that extend from the cell.
- Finger-like.
- Found in cells of the digestive tract, where absorption takes place into the cells.
9
Q
Cilia
A
- Longer hair-like projections.
- Found in cells of the respiratory tract, where they trap dust particles and move sticky mucus along to remove it from the respiratory surface.
10
Q
Centrosome
A
- Located in the cytosol/cytoplasm.
- Contains two bodies, called ‘centrioles’.
- Occur at right angles to one another.
- Made up of microtubules (which function in replication).
- Act during the movement of chromosomes when the cell divides.
11
Q
Ribosomes
A
- Found at numerous locations within the cells.
- Ultramicroscopic bodies are the “workbenches” of the cells, where proteins are synthesised from amino acids.
- Important in cells that synthesise a lot of proteins, such as pancreatic, muscle and epidermal cells.
12
Q
Mitochondrion
A
- An important membranous organelle of the cytosol/cytoplasm.
- Enzymes for energy production are located on the inner mitochondrial membrane.
- High-energy cells (like muscle and sperm cells) contain many mitochondria, while fewer are found in cells that serve a protective function (like epithelial cells).
13
Q
Nucleus
A
- The centre of genetic activity of the cell.
- Genes within the nucleus specify the message for synthesising proteins unique for the operation of different cells (e.g. pancreatic cells produce insulin, thyroid cells secrete thyroxin; insulin and thyroxin are both proteins).
14
Q
Nucleolus
A
A body of RNA found in the nucleus, suspended in the fluid-like nucleoplasm.
15
Q
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A
- The internal network of membranes within the cytoplasm.
- May or may not contain ribosomes, meaning there is rough ER and smooth ER.
