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Biology > Topic 1 Core questions - Cell Biology > Flashcards

Topic 1 Core questions - Cell Biology Flashcards

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1
Q

What are three common features of plant and animal cells (eukaryotes)?

A

1) Cell membrane
2) Cytoplasm
3) Genetic material in a nucleus.

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2
Q

Which are bigger cells prokaryotes or eukaryotes?

A

Eukaryotes.

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3
Q

True or false?

“Prokaryotic cells have a cell wall.”

A

True.

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4
Q

True or false? “Prokaryotic cells have a nucleus.”

A

False.

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5
Q

In what form is the genetic material in a prokaryotic cell?

A

A single DNA loop.

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6
Q

What are the two types of cells?

A

Eukaryotic (plant and animal)

Prokaryotic (bacteria)

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7
Q

What are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

A

Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane bound organelles and a nucleus containing genetic materials, while prokaryotic cells do not.

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8
Q

Name some common parts of eukaryotic cells.

A 
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Cell membrane 
Mitochondria 
Ribosomes
Chloroplasts 
Permanent vacuole (filled with cell sap).
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9
Q

Describe the function of the nucleus.

A

Contains the genetic material of the cell.

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10
Q

Describe the function of the cytoplasm.

A

The location of cellular reactions.

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11
Q

Describe the function of the cell membrane.

A

To determine what is allowed into and out of the cell.

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12
Q

Describe the function of the mitochondria.

A

Where aerobic respiration occurs to release energy.

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13
Q

Describe the function of the ribosomes.

A

To bond amino acids together to form proteins (protein synthesis).

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14
Q

Describe the function of the chloroplasts.

A

The location of photosynthesis.

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15
Q

Describe the function of the permanent vacuole.

A

A storage area for ions and water, sometimes pigments.

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16
Q

Which strong material is the cell wall of plant and algal cells made from?

A

Cellulose

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17
Q

What is the definition of a cell?

A

The individual unit of an organism.

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18
Q

What is the definition of a tissue?

A

Cells of the same type working together to perform a specific function.

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19
Q

What is the definition of an organ?

A

A structure made from multiple tissue types to perform a specific function.

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20
Q

What is the definition of an organ system?

A

Multiple organs working together to perform a specific function.

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21
Q

Describe a specialisation of a sperm cell.

A

Mobile due to flagellum; many mitochondria to allow high energy release for movement; streamlined head; digestive enzymes in head to break down egg membrane.

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22
Q

Describe a specialisation of a nerve cell.

A

Many mitochondria to provide lots of energy for active transport; many proteins embedded in cell membrane to allow ion movement.

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23
Q

Describe a specialisation of a muscle cell.

A

Many mitochondria to provide lots of energy for contraction; many ribosomes to synthesise proteins.

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24
Q

Describe a specialisation of a root hair cell.

A

Elongated shape to increase surface area for ion absorption; many mitochondria to provide lots of energy for active transport.

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25
Q

Describe a specialisation of a xylem cell.

A

Little cell contents to allow easy movement of water and ions through each cell.

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26
Q

Describe a specialisation of a phloem cell.

A

Needs a companion cell to work optimally.

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27
Q

What is “cell differentiation”?

A

The process of a stem cell dividing and becoming a specialised cell.

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28
Q

When do most animal cells differentiate?

A

At an early stage of development.

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29
Q

What is different about plant cells’ differentiation?

A

They retain the ability to differentiate throughout life (e.g. a stem developing roots when planted in soil)

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30
Q

In mature animals, what is cell differentiation used for?

A

Repair and replacement of old/damaged cells.

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31
Q

What are the two advantages of electron microscopes over light microscopes?

A
  1. Increased magnification

2. Increased resolution.

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32
Q

What is the “resolution” or “resolving power” of a microscope?

A

The ability to determine two close objects as separate images.

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33
Q

What is the equation used to calculate magnification (M), the image size (I) or the actual size of an object (A)?

A

Magnifcation = image size / actual size of an objct

34
Q

What is the difference between mm, µm and nm?

A

A factor of 1000.

35
Q

If provided with enough nutrients and a suitable temperature, how often can bacterial cells divide?

A

Around every 20 minutes.

36
Q

Describe the two ways bacteria can be grown in a laboratory.

A
  1. In a nutrient broth solution,

2. On an agar gel plate/petri dish.

37
Q

What is a “contaminant”?

A

An unwanted species of microorganism growing in your culture.

38
Q

What should you do with Petri dishes and culture media before use?

A

Sterilise it at high temperature to kill contaminants.

39
Q

How do you sterilise inoculating loops?

A

Pass them through a Bunsen burner flame before use.

40
Q

How should a Petri dish be stored in school?

A

Upside down, with tape securing the lid.

41
Q

What is the maximum temperature cultures should be incubated at in schools or colleges?

A

25°C

42
Q

Explain why the maximum incubation temperature for bacterial cultures in schools is 25°C.

A

To avoid growing potential pathogens.

43
Q

If you were asked to calculate the cross-sectional area of a circular clear area around a disinfectant, what equation would you use?

A

πr²

44
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

A coiled thread-like structure of nucleic acids (DNA) and protein found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

45
Q

What are genes?

A

Sections of DNA that contain the code for a particular protein.

46
Q

In what arrangement are chromosomes found normally?

A

Pairs.

47
Q

How many chromosomes does a human have?

A

23 pairs OR 46 in total.

48
Q

What has to happen within the cell before it can divide? (2 steps)

A
  1. Cell organelles (e.g. mitochondria and ribosomes) have to replicate,
  2. DNA has to be replicated (copied).
49
Q

How many chromosomes will be present in a cell after DNA replication?

A

92 OR 46 pairs.

50
Q

To where do the chromosomes moves to during mitosis?

A

To opposite ends of the cell.

51
Q

What occurs during cytokinesis?

A

The cytoplasm and cell membranes divide.

52
Q

Mitosis is critical for….

A

…growth, replacement and development of an organism.

53
Q

What is a stem cell?

A

An undifferentiated cell capable of giving rise to many more cells of the same type.

54
Q

Describe the function of stem cells in embryos.

A

To develop into multiple cell types aiding in the development of the embryo into a mature organism.

55
Q

Describe the function of stem cells in adult animals.

A

To be the source of cells used in growth and repair of the mature animal.

56
Q

Describe the function of stem cells in plant meristems.

A

To allow a plant to keep growing throughout its life (animals stop growing when mature) by specialising into any type of cell.

57
Q

What is a potential use of stem cells in medicine?

A

To treat conditions where cells have been damaged e.g. diabetes, paralysis.

58
Q

What is the principle of therapeutic cloning?

A

An embryo is produced with the same genes as the patient.

59
Q

Give an advantage of therapeutic cloning.

A

No rejection of the new cells by the patient (as they are the patitent’s own cells)

60
Q

Give two potential problems with therapeutic cloning.

A
  1. Risk of viral infection,

2. Religious/ethical objections around the use of embryos.

61
Q

How are plant stem cells used in horticulture (commercial plant growing)?

A

To create plant cuttings (clones of the original plant).

62
Q

Give two advantages of the use of clones in horticulture.

A
  1. Rare species can be cloned to prevent extinction,

2. Crops with special adaptations (e.g. disease resistance) can be identically produced in large numbers.

63
Q

Name the process whereby substances move in and out of a cell across the cell membrane.

A

Diffusion.

64
Q

Define “diffusion”.

A

The net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration down a concentration gradient across a semi-permeable membrane.

65
Q

Name three substances which move by diffusion within animal cells

A
  1. Oxygen
  2. carbon dioxide in gas exchange,
  3. Urea out of cells to be excreted from the body.
66
Q

Name three factors which affect the rate of diffusion.

A
  1. The difference in concentrations (concentration gradient)
  2. Temperature
  3. Surface area of the membrane.
67
Q

Does a single-celled organism have a high or low surface area:volume ratio?

A

High.

68
Q

How do single-celled organisms get enough oxygen without having lungs?

A

Due to its small size, and therefore its high Surface area to volume ratio, diffusion across its membrane allows sufficient gas exchange

69
Q

An organism has a surface area of 50m2 and a volume of 20m3. What is its surface area to volume ratio?

A

2.5:1

70
Q

Why do multicellular organisms tend to need exchange surfaces and transport systems?

A

Low surface area to volume ratio, therefore cannot rely on diffusion across cell membranes.

71
Q

Name two common features that aid the exchange of substances in animal small intestine & lungs; fish gills; plant roots and leaves.

A
  1. Large surface area,

2. Thin membrane to provide a short diffusion path.

72
Q

Name two further features that aid the exchange of substances in animals but NOT plants.

A
  1. An efficient blood supply,

2. The ability to ventilate (to allow air to move in and out of the organism).

73
Q

Define osmosis.

A

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules, from a region where the water molecules are in higher concentration, to a region where they are in lower concentration, through a partially permeable membrane

74
Q

If an animal cell loses a lot of water, what happens?

A

It crenates (shrivels) and cellular reactions are slowed or stopped.

75
Q

If an animal cell gains a lot of water, what happens?

A

It can lyse (burst) and die.

76
Q

If a plant cell loses a lot of water, what happens?

A

It becomes plasmolysed (cell membrane shrinks away from the cell wall).

77
Q

If a plant cell gains a lot of water, what happens?

A

It becomes turgid (cell membrane pushes up against the cell wall).

78
Q

Define active transport.

A

The movement of substances from a low concentration to a high concentration (against a concentration gradient).

79
Q

What two things does active transport require that diffusion doesn’t?

A
  1. A transport protein (found in the cell membrane),

2. Energy.

80
Q

From what reaction does the energy required for active transport come?

A

Respiration.

81
Q

Where does active transport happen within a cell?

A

The mitochondria.

82
Q

Give two examples of where active transport is used in Biology. (1 plant, 1 animal)

A
  1. Plant root hair cells absorbing mineral ions from the soil,
  2. Glucose absorption from the small intestine into the blood.

Biology (6 decks)

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