Topic 5: cell structure + function Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 2 types of microscopes?

A

1) Light microscope =
- Visible light passes through specimen
- Magnification through lenses
2) Electron microscope =
- Focus beam of e- through specimen / onto surface

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2
Q

Factors affecting microscopy image quality

A
  • Magnification = ratio of image size to real size
  • Resolution = clarity = minimum distance 2 points distinguishable
  • Contrast = visible differences in parts of a sample
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3
Q

Describe light microscopes

A
  • 1000x size of specimen
  • Resolution = 0.2 µm = 200 nm
  • Subcellular structures = organelles too small
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4
Q

Give light microscopy methods

A

ALL 2D
1) Brightfield = unstained
- Light passes directly through
- Image has little contrast unless specimen has natural contrast
2) Brightfield = stained
- Dye enhances contrast
- Methyl blue
- Require cell to be fixed
3) Phase contrast = unstained
- Enhances contrast by amplifying densities within specimens
- Useful for examining living unpigmented cells
4) Differential interference contrast = unstained
- Like phase contrast = optical modifications to differences in density = almost appear 3D
5) Fluorescence = stained
- Show location of specific molecules by tagging with fluorescent dye/antibodies
- Tags absorb UV and emit light
ONE 3D
6) Confocal = stained
- Uses lasers + optics on fluorescently stained specimens
- Single plane focus illuminated + out of focus subtracted by computer
- Reconstruction of 3D from obtained images

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5
Q

Describe electron microscopes

A
  • Magnification 250,000x
  • Can detect structure small as 0.1nm
  • Resolution = 2nm = 100x improvement from light microscope
  • Can detect macromolecules
  • 2 types = TEM + SEM
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6
Q

Describe TEM

A
  • Focus beam through specimen
  • To study internal structure = 2D image
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7
Q

Describe SEM

A
  • Focus beam onto surface
  • Study surface of specimen = 3D images
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8
Q

Describe cell fractionation

A
  • Allows isolation of subcellular components = determine organelle function
  • Based on size + density
  • Centrifugation = used to fractionate cells
  • 2 types = differential + density gradient
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9
Q

Describe differential centrifugation

A
  • Solvent concentration = stabilizing solvent gradient
  • Multiple centrifugation steps = increase acceleration + time
  • Separation basis = size
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10
Q

Describe density gradient centrifugation

A
  • Solvent concentration = steep solvent gradient
  • Single centrifugation step
  • Separation basis = density
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11
Q

Compare prokaryotic/eukaryotic cells

A

ALL HAVE:
- Plasma membrane
- Semifluid cytosol
- Have chromosomes
- Have ribosomes

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12
Q

Contrast prokaryotic/eukaryotic cells

A

PROKARYOTES:
- No nucleus
- DNA unbound in nucleoid
- No membrane-bound organelles
EUKARYOTES:
- Nucleus bound by nuclear envelope
- Bigger than prokaryote
- Membrane-bound organelles

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13
Q

Define cytoplasm

A
  • Region between plasma membrane + nucleus
  • Has all subcellular structure except nucleus
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14
Q

Define cytosol

A
  • Intracellular fluid
  • Excludes organelles
  • Contains ribosomes + cytoskeletal filaments + soluble molecules + water
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15
Q

Describe plasma membrane

A
  • Selective barrier = allows passage of oxygen + nutrients + waste in/out of cell
  • Phospholipid bilayer
  • Semi-permeable
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16
Q

Describe nucleus

A
  • Contains DNA of cell
  • Genes in chromosomes = contain directions for protein synthesis
  • Chromosome = complex proteins + DNA = chromatin
  • DNA replication + transcription takes place
  • Replication = before every cell division
  • Transcription = DNA>mRNA
17
Q

Define nucleolus

A
  • Denser area in nucleus
  • rRNA synthesized here
  • After synthesis = assembled with proteins = exit nucleus = form ribosomes
18
Q

Define nuclear envelope

A
  • Encloses nucleus + separating it’s contents from cytoplasm
  • Has nuclear pores
19
Q

Define nuclear pores

A
  • Regulate entry + exit of molecules from nucleus
20
Q

Describe the ribosome

A
  • Made of rRNA + protein
  • Consist of small + large subunit
  • Function = protein synthesis
  • Location =
    1) Free ribosome in cytosol = synthesize cytosolic proteins
    2) Bound to RER = synthesize secreted + membrane-bound proteins
21
Q

Describe the endoplasmic reticulum

A
  • Membranous tubules and sacs
  • Inside space = lumen
  • ER membrane continuous with nuclear envelope
  • 2 types:
    1) SER = lacks ribosomes
    2) RER = has bound ribosomes
22
Q

What is the function of SER?

A
  • Synthesize lipids
  • Metabolizes carbs
  • Detoxifies poison
  • Stores calcium
23
Q

What is the function of the RER?

A
  • Protein synthesis
  • Post- translation modifications = functional
  • Protein sorting = transport + distribute ny producing membrane-bound transport vesicles
24
Q

What are some modifications occurring in RER?

A
  • Polypeptide cleavage = polypeptides activated by enzymes that cleave them = functional = insulin
  • Protein folding = into tertiary structure
  • Subunit assembly = into quaternary structure = functional = haemoglobin
  • Chemical modifications = addition of chemical groups
25
Describe the Golgi apparatus
- Flattened membranous sacs = cisternae - Receives transport vesicles from RER
26
What are the functions of the Golgi?
- Protein + macromolecule processing = receives + modifies by adding chemical groups/lipids/carbs - Macromolecules sorting /targeting = sort + package biomolecules into transport vesicles > send to other parts of cell - Manufacture certain macromolecules = polysaccharides
27
Describe lysosomes
- Membranous vesicle containing hydrolytic enzyme - Digests macromolecules = releases parts that can be reused by cell for building new macromolecules - Function only at acidic environments - Functions = phagocytosis + autophagy
28
Describe phagocytosis
- Intracellular digestion - Used by some protists to digest food - Macrophages use lysosomes to ingest pathogenic microorganisms
29
Describe autophagy
- Destruction of damaged organelles - Recycling cells organic material
30
Describe the endomembrane system
- Important to cell's compartmental organization - Regulates protein traffic + performs metabolic functions - Components either continuous or connect via vesicle-mediated transfer COMPARTMENTS: - Nuclear envelope - ER - Golgi - Lysosomes - Plasma membrane
31
Describe mitochondria
- Change energy from 1 form to another - Site of cellular respiration = generates ATP from sugars + fats - Found in eukaryotic cells - Not part of endomembrane system - Have double membrane = smooth outer + inner folded cristae - Contain own DNA - Proteins made by own free ribosomes in mitochondrial matrix
32
Describe a peroxisome
- Specialized membrane-bound metabolic compartment FUNCTION: - Produce hydrogen peroxide = convert to H2O by enzymes - Detoxification = liver peroxisomes detoxify alcohol + harmful compounds - Fatty acid breakdown
33
Describe proteasomes
- Giant protein complexes = bind to protein molecules + degrade - Short-lived cytosolic proteins + non-functional proteins are attached to ubiquitin = targeted to proteasomefor degradation