Unit 1 : Cells and Proteins Key Area 2 Flashcards
Genome
An organisms complete set of DNA (not all this DNA codes for proteins)
Proteome
Entire set of proteins that can be expressed by an organisms genome (much larger than no. Of genes)
Describe alternative RNA splicing and how it allows many proteins to be produced form a single gene
Different combinations of exons can be left in or removed during transcription to produce different mature RNA transcripts.
number/type of protein produced by a cell can vary over time and can be affected by factors such as ;
Metabolite activity of the cell, cellular stress, in response to signalling molecules, diseases vs healthy cells
Eukaryote
Cells which have a clearly defined nucleus
what are cell membranes called specifically in eukaryotic cells?
plasma membranes
what is the result of eukaryotes having a small surface to volume ratio?
There’s not enough membrane to preform all the vital functions
What does a series of intracellular membranes help with?
protein synthesis and transport in the cell
Name 4 organisms that have intracellular membranes?
Endoplasmic reticulum, golgi appartus, vesicles and lysosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
a series of membrane tubules that extend from the nuclear membrane.
whats the difference between the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
RER has ribosomes dotted along its surface whereas the SER doesnt.
Golgi apparus
a series of flattened membrane disks that proteins can pass through to be modified.
Lysosomes
Membrane-bound organisms that contain hydrolases which are enzymes.
What do hydrolases do?
They break down proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates - they use water to break covalent bonds in these substances.
Vesicles
membrane-bound organelles that transport proteins and other substances around the cell.
What are membranes composed of?
Both lipids and proteins - synthesised in the cells at the endoplasmic reticulum
Cytosolic proteins
They remain in the cytosol
Transmembrane proteins
They are permanently attached to a membrane.
What part of the phospholipid bilayer does lipids form?
Hydrophobic lipid tails
Where are lipids synthesised?
Synthesised in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum + inserted into its membrane.
Cytosol
the fluid in which the organelles are suspended
cytoplasm
cytosol and all the organelles (not the nucleus) within the plasma membrane.
How do proteins move through the golgi apparatus for post-translational modifications
Proteins move from one disk to the next in vesicles that bud off and fuse with the next membrane.
Give an example of a major post-translational modification that occurs in the golgi?
The addition of carbohydrates to form a glycoprotein.
Enzyme catalyse the addition of various sugars in multiple steps to form the carbohydrates
Summarise the movement and modification of transmembrane proteins after the insertion of proteins into the RER membrane?
Transport vesicles carrying protein leave the RER membrane + fuse with the golgi.
post-translational modifications (ie. the addition of carbohydrate) occurs.
vesicles that leave the golgi apparatus take proteins to the plasma membrane + lysosomes.
describe the movement of proteins between membranes and the modifications they may undergo.
After insertion into the RER membrane, transmembrane proteins are carried in transport vesicles to the golgi apparatus.
These vesicles move along the golgis flattened membrane disks by budding off one disk + fusing with the next.
This is where post-translational modifications occur. The major one being the addition of carbohydrates. Once completed proteins are packaged into vesicles them to either the plasma membrane or lysosomes.
what are many proteins that are destined to be secreted from the cell synthesised as?
inactive precursors, and require proteolytic cleavage to produce active proteins. (this is an example of post-translational modifcation in secreted proteins)
Summarise the secretory pathway.
- proteins are synthesised at the RER and then enter the lumen of the RER where they’re packaged into transport vesicles.
- Proteins move through the golgi apparatus and undergo modification such as addition f carbohydrates and proteolytic cleavage.
- Once modificed, proteins are packaged into secretory vesicles which tavel and fuse with the plasma membrane, releasing the protein out of the cell.