Topic 1: Cell Biology (Paper 1) Flashcards
What is an eukaryotic cell?
Plant and animal cells (eukaryotes) have a cell membrane, cytoplasm and genetic material enclosed in a nucleus.
What is a prokaryotic cell?
Prokaryotes don’t have their genetic material enclosed in a nucleus (e.g. bacteria)
Where is the genetic material stored in a prokaryotic cell?
It is a single DNA loop and there may be one or more small rings of DNA called plasmids, stored in the cytoplasm
What are some similarities and differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Differences
* Prokaryotes have no nucleus
* Prokaryotes have no chromosomes
* Prokaryotes are only unicellular (eukaryotic can be unicellular or muticellular)
Similarities
* Both have DNA
* Both have ribisomes
* Both have cell membranes
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus controlls all the activities of the cell and contains the genetic information.
What is the cytoplasm?
The cytoplasm is a liquid gel where the organelles are suspended and where most of the chemical reactions take place.
What is the function of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane controls the passage of substances into and out of the cell.
What is the function of the mitochondria?
The mitochondria are structures in the cytoplasm where aerobic respiration takes place, relseaing energy.
What is the function of the ribosomes?
The ribosomes are where protein synthesis takes place.
What is the function of cholroplasts?
What does chlorophyll do?
Plant cells have chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy so the plant can make food by photosynthesis.
Why is the permanent vacuole important?
The large permenat vacuole is filled with cell sap and this is important becauseit keeps the cells rigid to support the plant.
What is the cell wall?
What is it made out of?
The cell wall is made out of cellulose and it strengthens the cell and gives it support.
What does being ‘specialised’ mean?
What is ‘differentaition’?
Specialised cells have different adaptations which help them carry out their particular function.
Differentitation is when a cell becomes specialised.
What is the job of a sperm cell?
What happens during fertilisation?
The sperm cell has to fuse with an ovum (egg cell) to fertilise it.
During fertilisation, the genetic material of both the sperm cell and ovum combine.
How are sperm cells specialised?
- large nucleus containing genertic information
- acrosome stores digestive enzymes for breaking down the outer layers of the ovum
- long tail for swimming
- middle section full of mitochondria to relsease energy for the tail
What do nerve cells do?
Nerve cells carry elecrical impulses around the body and provide a rapid communication system.
How are nerve cells specialised?
- dendrites increase surface area so other nerve cells can connect more easily
- long axon carries electrical impuleses
- myelin insulates axon and speeds up transmission of nerve impulses
- synapses allow impulse to pass from one nerve cell to another
What do muscle cells do?
Muscle cells contract and relac and work together to form muscle tissue.
How are muscle cells specialised?
- protein fibres can change their length
- lots of mitochondria to relsease energy for muscle contraction
- can store glycogen that can be broken down into glucose to be used by mitochondria for respiration.
How are root hair cells specialised?
- hairs increase surface area for efficient osmosis
- no chloroplasts - as they are underground
- many mitochondria for active transport
How are xylem cells specialised?
- Cell walls made of lignin to withstand water pressure
- dead cells from long hollow tubes so water and dissolved mineral ions can move easily through
- no internal strucutres so water can flow easier
How are phloem cells specialised?
- cell walls break down to from sieve plates
- each phloem vessel call has a companion cell containing many mitochondria to transfer energy so phloem vessel sugars can move sugars up and down.
RP: Describe the method for viewing a prepared slide through an optical microscope.
- Place the slide on the stage and use the clips to secure it.
- Select the lowest power objective lens
- By slowly turning the course focus knob, make sure the objective lense almost touches the slide.
- Look through the eyepiece and slowly turn the coarse focus know to increase the distance between the objuective lense and the slide. Do this until the cells come into focus.
- Slowly turn the fine focus knob to bring cells into a clear focus.
- We can now select a higher power objective lens, but adjust the fine focuse knob to bring the cells back into focus.
total magnification - eyepiece x objective lens
What are the disadvantages of a light mircoscope?
- limited magnification
- limited resolution
What are the key advantages of an electron microscope?
- Greater magnification
- Greater resolution
How do we calculate magnification?
magnification = image size ÷ actual size