Topic 1 - Cells Flashcards
what are the functions of life?
- Metabolism
- Reproduction
- Sensitivity
- Homeostasis
- Excretion
- Nutrition
- Growth
prokaryotic DNA is…
DNA is naked
DNA is circular
Usually no introns
eukaryotic DNA is…
DNA bound to protein
DNA is linear
Usually contains introns
prokaryotic organelles have…
No nucleus
70S ribosomes
eukaryotic organelles have…
Has a nucleus
80S ribosomes
prokaryotic reproduction happens…
Via binary fission
Single chromosome
eukaryotic reproduction happens…
Via mitosis and meiosis
Paired chromosomes
structure of a phospholipid
- Contain a polar (hydrophilic) head composed of phosphate (+ glycerol).
- Contain two non-polar (hydrophobic) tails, each composed of a fatty acid chain.
- Hence, phospholipids are amphipathic (have hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts)
Arrangement in Membranes
- Phospholipids spontaneously arrange into a bilayer.
- The hydrophilic phosphate heads face out into the surrounding solution, while
the hydrophobic fatty acid tails face inwards and are shielded from the polar fluids.
Properties of the Phospholipid Bilayer
The bilayer is held together by weak hydrophobic interactions between the tails.
- Individual phospholipids can move within the bilayer (fluidity and flexibility).
- Amphipathic properties restrict passage of certain substances (semi-permeable).
Cholesterol is…
- a fundamental component of animal cell membranes
- It is not present in plant cell membranes (as they have a rigid cell wall)
- Cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity and permeability to some solutes
- It also anchors certain peripheral proteins and prevents crystallization
- amphipathic
Types of Membrane Transport
- Passive (along concentration gradient, no ATP expenditure)
- Active (against concentration gradient, ATP is required)
Passive Transport is…
The net movement of particles from a region of higher
concentration to a region of lower concentration
Active Transport is…
Active transport uses energy (ATP) to move molecules
against a concentration gradient (i.e. from low to high)
Vesicular Transport is…
The fluidity of the plasma membrane allows it to break and
reform around certain materials (this process requires ATP)
Exocytosis:
Materials released from a cell via vesicles
Endocytosis:
Materials internalised within a vesicle
Osmosis is…
The net movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable
membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region
of higher solute concentration
Osmolarity is…
Osmolarity is a measure of solute concentration
Solutions can be measured as…
Hypertonic
Hypotonic
Isotonic
Hypertonic is…
High solute concentration (gains water)