The Cell Flashcards
Cells, Cells and More Cells
- All living things on the planet are made up of small subunits called cells.
- Not all cells are the same and some are more complicated than others.
- Bacteria cells are the most simple of all cells while other single-celled organisms, as well as plant and animal cells, are more complicated.
Bacteria Cells(Prokaryotes)
Bacteria are a type of single-celled organism called Prokaryotes.
Bacteria are single-celled organisms, but may also live in groups or colonies.
They do not contain any organelles but instead only contain a single circular piece of DNA and smaller pieces of DNA called plasmids.
Single-celled Organisms(Eukaryotes)
All other cellular organisms in the world besides Bacteria are called Eukaryotes.
There are many single-celled Eukaryotes and they are referred to as Protists.
These cells contain many organelles including a true nucleus.
Many Protists are responsible for diseases.
Animal Cells(Eukaryotes)
All animals in the world are made up of similar cells.
Animal cells are also a type of Eukaryotic cell and therefore contain many organelles.
Organelles are small cell parts that perform specific tasks for the cell, just like different organs perform specific tasks for the body.
Cell/Plasma Membrane(Phospholipid Bilayer)
Structure
-Composed of Lipids.
-Fluid-like.
-Can pinch off to form vesicles.
-Contains Proteins that act like doors into and out of the cells.
Function
-Boundary between cell interior and exterior.
-Holds in fluids, chemicals and structures that the cell needs to survive.
-Semi-permeable.
-Communication with other cells.
Cytoplasm
-Structure
-Jelly-like substance.
Function
-Suspends all of the organelles and contents of the cell.
Nucleus
Structure
-Made up of a Nucleolus, Nuclear Envelope and Nuclear Pores.
-Contains DNA.
Function
-The Nucleus is the site in the cell where DNA is translated into useful proteins that are used inside and outside the cell.
-The Nuclear Pores are found on the Nuclear Envelope and allow small copies of the DNA to exit the cell.
-The nucleus is the site of Ribosome production.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Structure
-Both types of E.R. are made up of folded membrane that surrounds the Nucleus.
-The Rough E.R. is studded with Ribosomes while the Smooth E.R. is not.
Function
-The Smooth E.R. synthesizes lipids and packages large molecules.
-The Rough E.R. uses Ribosomes to synthesize proteins from messages sent from the Nucleus.
Ribosomes
Structure
-Ribosomes are specialized proteins that are found on the Rough E.R as well as by themselves in the cytoplasm.
Function
-Ribosomes function to translate the messages sent from the Nucleus into useful proteins.
-These useful proteins can either be used inside the Cell or can be transported out of the cell for other uses.
Golgi Apparatus
Structure
-The Golgi Apparatus is made up of folded membranes found outside of the Smooth and Rough E.R.’s
Function
-The Golgi Apparatus functions to receive the synthesized proteins from the Ribosomes.
-Once in the Golgi Apparatus the proteins are sorted and repackaged.
-The proteins leave the Golgi Apparatus in Vesicles/Vacuoles.
Vesicles/Vacuoles
Structure
-Vesicles and Vacuoles are both small packages that are surrounded by membrane.
-Vesicles are just smaller forms of Vacuoles which are much larger.
Function
-Both vesicles and Vacuoles are used to store cell materials are well as transport materials throughout the cell.
-Vesicles and Vacuoles can also be used to transport cell materials out of the cell.
Lysosomes
Structure
Lysosomes are specialized types of Vesicles.
-They often contain digestive enzymes and have a low ph.
Function
-Lysosomes are used to destroy unwanted material inside the cell.
-They often fuse with other vesicles and destroy the internal material with digestive enzymes and their acidic interior.
Mitochondria
Structure
-Mitochondria are large organelles that have double membrane.
-They have many folding membrane found in their interior.
Function
-Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.
-They use chemical reactions to convert food into usable chemical energy.
-The energy they produce allows the cell to operate properly.
Centrioles
Structure
-Centrioles are cylindrical structures found just outside of the nucleus.
Function
-When a cell is ready to divide it will make a copy of its DNA found in the nucleus.
-The Centrioles will attach to the two sets of copied DNA and pull them apart in order to create two new cells.
Plant Cells(Eukaryotes)
-Plant cells are also Eukaryotic Cells and therefor contain many organelles that perform specific functions for the cell.
-The plant cell is different from an animal cell in a few ways:
-Organelles found in Animal Cells but
not Plant cells: Lysosomes,Centrioles.
-Organelles found in plant cells but not
Animal cells:Cell wall, Large Central
Vacuole, Chloroplast.
