Topic 2 - Cells Flashcards
what are the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells
cytoplasm containing membrane-bound organnelles. DNA enclosed in a nucleus
what general structures does a eukaryotic cell have
cell surface membrane
mitochondrion
nucleus
ribosomes
RER
SER
golgi apparatus
lysosome
what general structures does a plant cell have
cell surface membrane
mitochondrion
nucleus
ribosomes
RER
SER
golgi apparatus
lysosome
chloroplast - plants, algae
cell wall - plants, fungi, algae
cell vacuole - plants only
describe the structure of cell-surface membrane
hydrophillic phosphate heads which are attracted to water
hydrophobic fatty acid tails which repell water
known as a phospholipid bilayer with proteins
describe the function of cell-surface membrane
selectively permeable - enables control of passage of substances in and out of the cell
molecules/receptors/antigens on the surface which allow for cell recognition/signalling
describe the structure of the nucleus
nuclear envelope - double membrane and nuclear pores (3000) which allow large molecules to enter/leave the nucleus e.g. mRNA
outer membrane of the nucleus is usually continuous with membrane of RER
nuceloplasm - aqueous, granular, jelly-like material
possesses a nucleolus
protein/histone-bound linear DNA with condensed chromatins and highly condensed chromosomes
describe the function of the nucleus
holds/stores the genetic information which codes for polypeptides
site of DNA replication
site of transcription producing mRNA
nucleolus makes ribosomes/rRNA
describe the structure of a ribosome
made of riboisomal RNA and protein - consists of 2 subunits
not a membrane bound organelle
eukaryote - 80S ribosomes
prokaryotes - 70S ribosomes
describe the function of a ribosome
site of protein synthesis - translation
describe the structure of RER
3D system of tubules and flattened sacs called cristernae
posses a single membrane with ribosomes embedded w/n it to give a ‘rough’ appearance
describe the function of RER
provides a large surface area for the synthesis, storage and trasnport of proteins and glycoproteins.
ribosomes synthesis the proteins, proteins are processed, folded, tranported inside RER, packaged into vesicles for transport
describe the structure of SER
3D system of tubules and cisternae [flattened sacs]
posses a single membrane
describe the function of SER
provides a large SA for synthesis,storage and transport of lipids and carbohydrates
describe the strucutre of golgi apparatus and golgi vesicles
stakcs of flattened sacs called cisternae with small membrane sacs called vesicles
more compact compared to SER
describe the function of golgi apparatus
modifies protein, adds carbohydrates to produce glycoproteins
modifies lipids - adds carbohydrates to make glygolipids
packages proteins/lipids into golgi vesicles
produces lysosomes - type of golgi vesicle
describe the function of the golgi vesicle
transports proteins/lipids to their required destination
e.g. moves to and fuses with cell surface membrane
ddeliers contents outside cell via exocytosis
describe the structure of lysosomes
vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes
describe the function of lysosomes
to release hydrolytic enzymes to break down/hydrolyse pathogens or worn out cell compoenents
describe the structure of mitochondria
outer membrane and inner membrane folded into many cristae. has a matrix containing 70S ribosomes and circular DNA
describe the function of mitochondria
site of aerobic respiration to produce ATP for energy relase e.g. for protein synthesis
describe the structure of chloroplasts in plants and algae
double membrane organelle with stroma as a aqueous granular jelly like liquid, contains thykaloid membrane, 70S ribosomes, circular DNA, starch granules. has lamella which are thylakoid lining grana. grana are stacks of thykaloid
describe the function of chloroplasts in plants and algae
absorbs light energy for photosynthesis to produce organic substances
describe the structure of cell wall in plants, algae, fungi
plants/algea - composed mainly of cellulose
fungi - composed of chitin
describe the structure of cell vacuole in plants
tonoplast membrane with cell sap inside
describe the function of cell vacuole
maintains turgor pressure in the cell to prevent it from wilting.
contains cell sap which stores sugars, amino acids, pgiments and any waste chemicals
define what a tissue is
group of specialised cells with a similar structure working together to perform a specific function often with the same origin
define what an organ is
aggregations of tissues perfoming specific functions
define what an organ system is
groups of organs working together to perform specific functions
what are the distinguishing features of prokaryotic cells
cytoplasm lacking membrane-bound organelles so genetic material isn’t enclosed in a nucleus-
what structures are sometimes prsent in prokaryotic cells
capsule
plasmids
flagella
what structures are always present in prokaryotic cells
cell surface membrane
cell wall - contains murein, glycoprotein
cytoplasm
small ribosomes
circular DNA
compare and contrast structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- membrane bound organelles vs none
- nucleus containing DNA vs free floating DNA, no nucleus
- long and linear DNA, associated w histone proteins vs short and circular DNA
- larger 80S ribosomes vs smaller 70s ribosomes
- cell walls only in plants, algae and fungi containing cellulose or chitin vs cell walls in all cells containing murein and glycoprotein
- no plasmids or capsule somtimes has flagella vs plasmids, flagella and capsule sometimes present
- larger overall size vs smaller overall size
explain why viruses are described as acellular and non living
accelular - not made of cells, no cell membrane, cytoplasm, organelles
nonliving - have no metablosim cannot independently move, respire, replicate, excrete
describe the general structure of a virus particle
nucleis acids surrounded by a capsid
attachment proteins allow attachment to specific host cells
no cytoplasm, ribosomes, cell wall, cell surface membrane
some surrounded by a lipid envelope e.g. HIV
what is magnification
the number of times greater image is than the size of the real object
how to calculate magnification
MIA
what is resolution
minimum distance apart 2 objects can be to be distinguished as separate objects
students should be able to appreciate that there was a considerable period of time during which the scientific community distinguished btwn artefacts and cell organelles
to overcome this, scientists prepared specimens in different ways. if an object was seen with one techinque but not another, it was more likely to be an artefact than an organelle
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compare principles of optical, TEM, SEM
optical - light is focused using glass lenses. the light passes through the specimen and different structures absorb different amounts + wavelengths. it generates a 2D image of a cross section
TEM - electrons are focused using electromagnets. they pass through specimens and denser parts absorb more and appear darker. it generates a 2D image of a cross section
SEM - electrons are focused using electromagnets. they get deflected/bounce off specimen surgace, generating a 3D image of surface
compare the limitations of optical, TEM, SEM
opticaal - low resolution due to long wavelength of light, can’t see internal structure of organelles or ribosomes. thin specimen. low magnification [x1500], can view living organisms. simple to prep and shows colour
TEM - very high resolution due to short wavelength of electrons, can see internal structures of organelles and ribosomes, very thin specimen, high magnification [x1,000,000], can only view deda, dehydrated specimens as vacuum is used. complex preparation so artefacts often present. doesn’t show colour
SEM - high resolution due to short wavelength of electrons, can’t see interal structures, specimen doens’t need to be thin, high magnification [x1,000,000], can only view dead, dehydrated specimen because vacuum is used, complex preparation so artefacts are often present, doens’t show colour
describe how the size of an object viewed with an optical microscope can be measured
- line up eyepiece graticule with stage micrometer
- calibrate eyepiece graticule, use stage micrometre to calculate size of division on eyepiece graticule
- take micrometre away and use graticule to measure how many divisions make up the object
- calculate size of object by multiplying number of divisions by size of division
- recalibrate eyepiece graticule at different magnifications
describe and explain the principles of cell fractionation
- homogenise tissue using a blender: disrupts cell membrane, breaking open cells and releasing contents/organelles
- place in cold, isotonic, buffered, solution: cold to reduce enzyme activity organelles aren’t broken down or damaged, isotonic so water doesn’t move in or out via osmosis so cells don’t burst, buffered to keep pH constant and prevent enzymes denaturing
- filter homogenate: removes large unwanted debris e.g. whole cells
describe and explain the principles of ultracentrifugation
separates organelles in orrder of density/mass
- centrifuge homogenate in tube at high speed
- remove pellet of heaviest organelle and respin supernatant at higher speed
- repeat at increasing speeds until separated out, each time pellet made of lighter organelles
nuclei, chloroplasts/mitochondria, lysosomes, ER, ribosomes
describe cytokinesis
cytoplasm and cell membrane divides to form 2 new genetically igentical daughter cells
describe interphase
- S phase DNA replicates semi conservatively, leading to 2 chromatids (identical copies) joined at a centromere
- G1/G2 number of organelles and volume of cytoplasm increases, protein synthesis
describe mitosis
nucleus divides to produce 2 nuclei with indentical copies of DNA produced by parent cell
describe the behavirous of chromosomes and role os spindel fibres in prophase
- chromosomes condense, becoming shorter, thicker appears as 2 sister chromatids jioned by a centromere. nuclear envelope breaks down. centrioles move to opposite poles forming spindle network
describe the behaviour of chromosomes and role os spindel fibres in metaphse
spindle fibres attach to chromosomes by their centromeres, chromosomes align along the equator