Topic 2 - Cells Flashcards
What is the function of a nucleus?
Contains all of the genetic material in the cell.
The nucleus is the site of what?
Protein synthesis.
What does the nucleolus do?
Manufactures ribosomal RNA and ensembles the ribosomes.
Role of the nuclear pores.
Allow large molecules in & out of the nucleus e.g messenger RNA.
What is the nuclear envelope?
A double membrane which surrounds the nucleus.
Its outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum of the cell and often has ribosomes on its surface.
Contains the reactions taking place within it.
What is the nucleoplasm found in the nucleus?
Granular, jelly-like material that makes up the bulk of the nucleus.
What does mitochondria do?
The site of aerobic respiration.
Responsible for the production of the energy-carrier molecule, ATP, from respiratory substrates such as glucose. – because of this, the number and size of the mitochondria, and the number of their cristae, are high in cells that have a high level of metabolic activity, and therefore require lots of ATP.
What does the Cristae (in mitochondria) do?
Provide a large surface area for the attachment of enzymes and other proteins involved in respiration.
(extensions of the inner membrane)
What does the matrix (in mitochondria) do?
It contains proteins, lipids, ribosomes and DNA that allows the mitochondria to control the production of some of their own proteins. Many enzymes involved in respiration are found in the matrix.
What does the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) do?
Synthesises and transports proteins, has ribosomes.
What does the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) do?
Synthesises, stores and transports lipids and carbohydrates, no ribosomes.
What does the golgi apparatus do?
It is the sorting office & it is constantly moving and changing – directs molecules to where they are needed in the cell.
What are lysosomes?
A membrane-bound organelle that releases hydrolytic enzymes.
When are lysosomes formed?
When the vesicles produced by the golgi apparatus contain enzymes such as proteases and lipases.
What are ribosomes the site of?
Site of protein synthesis.
What type of cells are 80s Ribosomes found in?
Found in eukaryotic cells, around 25nm in diameter.
What type of cells are 70s Ribosomes found in?
Found in prokaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts, is slightly smaller than 80s ribosomes
Do eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus?
Yes.
Do prokaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus?
No.
When are centriples needed?
When the cell divides.
What is the function of of Cytoskeleton?
Holds the cell organelles in specific positions.
How do you distinguish between chloroplasts and mitochondria on a diagram?
Chloroplasts are bigger than mitochondria.
What is the function of chloroplasts?
Absorb sunlight for photosynthesis
What is the chloroplast envelope?
A double plasma membrane that surrounds the organelle. Highly selective in what it allows to enter and leave the chloroplast.
What is the grana in a chloroplast?
Stacks of up to 100 disc-like structures called thylakoids. These create a large surface area to absorb light. Thylakoids contain chlorophyll. The thylakoids in the grana is where the first stage of photosynthesis (light absorption) takes place.
What is the stroma in a chloroplast?
A fluid-filled cavity where the light independent stage of photosynthesis takes place.
What are cell walls in plants made from?
Cellulose middle lamellae - a thin boundary between cell walls (cement).
What are cell walls in fungi made from?
Chitin.
In Algae what is the cell wall made from?
Cellulose or glycoproteins or a mixture of both
What is the cell vacuole and what is the single membrane is is bounded by called?
A fluid-filled sac bounded by a single membrane called the tonoplast
What does a cell vacuole contain?
Cell sap which is a solution of mineral salts, sugars, amino acids, wastes and sometimes pigments such as anythocyanins.
In what form is the genetic material in a bacterial cells in?
A circular strand of DNA.
What are the separate smaller circular pieces of DNA in a bacteria cell called?
Plasmids.
What are plasmids extensively used for?
Vectors (carriers of genetic information) in genetic engineering.
Is a cell wall in a bacterial cell a physical barrier which excludes certain substances and protects against mechanical damage and osmotic lysis?
Yes.
What is the role of a capsule is a bacterial cell?
Protects bacterium from other cells and helps groups of bacteria to stick together for further protection
What is the role of the cell-surface membrane in bacterial cells?
Acts as a differentially permeable layer, which controls the entry and exit of chemicals
Role of plasmids in bacterial cells.
Possesses the genetic information for the replication of bacterial cells.
What do bacterial cells use the flagellum for?
Locomotion (only certain species).
(PROKARYOTIC CELLS CAN HAVE ONE OR MORE FLAGELLA’S)
True or False : Prokaryotic cells are much SMALLER than Eukaryotic cells
True.
Prokaryotic cells are much different form Eukaryotic cells in having :
- Cytoplasm that lacks membrane-bound organelles
- Smaller ribosomes (70s)
- No nucleus : instead they have a single circular DNA molecule that is free in the cytoplasm and is not associated with proteins
- A cell wall that contains murein, a glycoprotein.
What two things are viruses?
Acellular and non-living.
Are viruses smaller that bacteria?
Yes.
What do viruses contain? _ _ _
They contain nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA as a genetic material.
What is the protein coat in which nucleic acids are enclosed within?
A capsid.
Where do viruses multiply?
Inside living host cells.
What do lipid envelopes (if not present, Capsid) have?
Attachment proteins which are essential to allow the virus to identify and attach to a host cell.
What are microscopes and what do they produce?
Instruments that produce a magnified image of an object.
Magnification definition.
How many times bigger the image is when compared to the object.
What calculation do you use to work out the magnification?
Size of image / Actual size
How do you covert mm to um?
Times mm by 1000.
How do you convert um to nm?
Times um by 1000.
Resolution definition.
The minimum distance apart that two objects can be in order for them to appear as separate items.
What does the resolving power of a microscope depend on?
The wavelength or form of radiation used.
What is the resolution of a light (optical) microscope?
0.2um.
What does greater resolution mean?
Greater clarity (clearer & more precise).
Advantages of Light (optical) microscopes :
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Cheaper
- Can use live specimens
- Images are in colour
Disadvantages of Light (optical) microscopes :
- Low magnification
- Low resolution
What is CELL FRACTIONATION?
The process where cells are broken up an the different organelles they contain are separated out.
What are the 3 things you have to do to make sure organelles are healthy before separation?
Make sure the tissue is placed in an ice cold, buffered solution of the same water potential as the tissue.
Why does the tissue have to be ice cold?
To reduce enzyme activity that might break down the organelles.
Why does the tissue have to be in a buffered solution?
pH does not fluctuate - this could lead to the acids & alkalis damaging the organelles. This could be by damaging the structure or affect the functioning of enzymes.
What are the two stages of cell fractionation?
Homogenation & Ultracentrifugation.