UNIT 1: The Living Cell

Question 1

What is the cytoplasm?

Answer 1

The cytoplasm is the internal enviroment of the cell. It is an aqueous solution containing two types of funtional structures: organelles and macromolecular complexes.

Question 2

What is the cell?

Answer 2

The cell is the smallest unit of life. In other to survive, cell have to feed on nutrients and interact with their enviroment.

Question 3

What is the nucleus?

Answer 3

The nucleus is a membrane-bound component that surrounds the genetic material, protecting it. This material is made up of molecules that define the characteristics and activities of the cell.

Question 4

What is tha plasma membrane?

Answer 4

The plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins. It separates the inside of the cell from the outside enviroment, acting as a barrrier regulating the exchange of substances with the outside enviroment.

Question 5

What are carbohydrates?

Answer 5

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy of the cellular metabolism. They also form certain parts of the cell which are used to built biomolecules.

Question 6

What are lipids?

Answer 6

Lipids are the main components of the cell membranes. They are also the most efficient energy source and store up energy as reserves.

Question 7

What are proteins?

Answer 7

Most cellular structures are made up of proteins, which are involved in regulating and performing most processes that take place in the cells.

Question 8

What are nucleic acids?

Answer 8

Nucleic acids are also called genetic material. They define all cell’s characteristics and activities.

Question 9

Organelles, what are they?

Answer 9

They are structures found inside of the cell that have particular functions in the eukaryotic cells, as if they were the cell’s organs. They are surrounded by a lipid membrane.

Question 10

What is the cytoskeleton?

Answer 10

A network of filaments and microtubules, found everywhere in the cyotoplasm, combined to create a structure called cytoskeleton. This structure transports vesicles and organelles and is related to the movement of the cell membrane. It is a macromolecular complex.

Question 11

What is a ribosome?

Answer 11

Ribosomes are part of the protein synthesis, they create the proteins. They are found either attached to the endoplasmic reticulum or floating on the cytoplasm.

Question 12

What are centrioles?

Answer 12

They are tube-like structures formed by a set of microtubules and are encharge of controling the movement of the cytoskeleton.

Question 13

What are proteasomes?

Answer 13

They are encharge of degrading damaged or unnedded proteins. They float freely in the cytoplasm.

Question 14

What is the secretory epithelia?

Answer 14

They are made up of cells that are specialized on producing and secreting substances to the epithelial surface. They are scattered or group together forming glands.

Question 15

What are macromolecular complexes?

Answer 15

They are structures that lack a lipid membrane. They carry out essential processes of the cell.

Question 16

What is the cell differentiation?

Answer 16

It is the process in which the cell acquires the morphological and physiological traits that differentiates their roles.

Question 17

What are lysosomes?

Answer 17

Lysosomes are vesicles surrounded by a simple membrane. They contain proteins capable of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones.

Question 18

What are vacuoles?

Answer 18

Vacuoles are large membrane-bound compartments storing mostly water and other reseverd substances. They are formed by fusing multiple vesicles.

Question 19

What is the endoplasmic reticulum?

Answer 19

The endoplasmic reticulum, or ER, is a structure that is part of the protein synthesis. There are two types: the rough endoplasmic retuculum, which has ribosomes attached, and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which does not have ribosomes attached to it.

Question 20

What is the Golgi aparatus?

Answer 20

The Golgi aparatus is a series of stacked membrane-bound sacs involved in the creation of vesicles such as the lysosomes. Substances inside some of these vesicles are transported outside of the cell.

Question 21

What is the Mitochondria?

Answer 21

The Mitochondria is a rounded, rod-like organelle with a double-membrane. Acting as energy factories, mitochondria extracts energy from organic nutrients through the process of oxidation.

Question 22

What are Cilia and Flagella?

Answer 22

Cilia and Flagella are large appendages present in some types of cells. Their internal structure is thick and they whip about, helping the cell to move. Flagella is longer than cilia, but fewer in number.

Question 23

What is the genetic material?

Answer 23

The genetic material is mostly made up of DNA. It ia like a manual which directs the process in which cells live, develop and rerpoduce. They also are the guidelines that allow the different types of cells to coordinate with one another and build a funtional multicellular organism.

Question 24

What is the cellular respiration?

Answer 24

Cellular respiration is a process in which the cells combine oxygen with the organic nutrients to oxidize nutrients and thus, release the chemical energy they contain.

Question 25

What is covering and lingering epithelia?

Answer 25

Covering and lingering epithelia protects the organs they cover with a single cell layer or several cell layers.

Question 26

What is the connective tissue proper?

Answer 26

The connective tissue proper fills the space between organs, binding them together.

Question 27

What is the adipose tissue?

Answer 27

It is a type of connective tissue.
The adipose tissue is made up of cells that store lipids as energy reserves and insulates the body.

Question 28

What is the cartilage?

Answer 28

The cartilage is a type of connective tissue that has a flexible but strong matrix. It covers the joints, preventing them fro wear, and provides a framework for structures such as the outer ear and the nose.

Question 29

What is the bone?

Answer 29

The bone is a type of connective tissue. It is the most rigid one and it contains mineral salts within it.

Question 30

What is the blood?

Answer 30

The blood is a type of connective tissue and is a specialized tissue. It is composed of cells supended on a fluid matrix called blood plasma.

Question 31

What is the skeletal muscle tissue?

Answer 31

The skeletal muscle tissue contains cells tat have multiple nuclei. It is made up of muscles that move the skeleton under a concious control.

Question 32

What is the smooth muscle tissue?

Answer 32

The smooth muscle tissue contains cells that have one single nucleus. It is found on the walls of organs such us the bladder and the stomach. It contracts involuntary

Question 33

What is the cardiac muscle tissue?

Answer 33

The cardiac muscle tissue is found on the wallls of the heart. It resembles the skeletal muscle tissue but it contracts involuntary. It is made up of cells that typically have one nucleus.

Question 34

What is the nervous tissue?

Answer 34

The nervous tissue is the main component of the brain, the spinal core and nerves, that is, in all of the structures that make up the nervous system.
· Neurons the basic component of the nervous system. It send messages throughout the body, giving orders.
· The neuroglial cells are the ones that support and bnourish the neurons.

Question 35

What is physical stimuli?

Answer 35

It is present on changes such as temperature, pressure, electrical signals, salinity, etc.

Question 36

What is chemical stimuli?

Answer 36

It is present on changes such us the presence of substances secreted by other cells, substances from the external enviroment, nutrients, etc.

Question 37

What is homeostasis?

Answer 37

It is the process in which the human body regulates its temperature when the external temperature changes.

Question 38

What is catabolism?

Answer 38

Is a set of processes that the cell utilizes in order to obtain energy by breaking down organic molecules.

Question 39

What is anabolism and biosynthesis?

Answer 39

Are processes that the cell utilizes to build cells from simple molecules.

Question 40

Diffusion

Answer 40

A process in which 02 and C02 are moved through the plasma membrane. They move from the region with higher concentration to the lower concentration region.

Question 41

Osmosis

Answer 41

A type of diffusion in which water moves through the plasma membrane. It moves from the region with lower concentration to thehigher concentration region. Both sides tend to even out.

Question 42

Facilitated diffusion

Answer 42

A process in which substances, which are dissolved in the water, are moved spontaneously thanks to carrier proteins. They move from the region with higher solute concentration to the lower solute concentration region.

Question 43

Active transport

Answer 43

A process in which membrane-embedded proteins can actively transport substances from a region of lower solute concentration to the higher solute concentration. It requires energy.

Question 44

Endocytosis

Answer 44

A process in which substances that cannot pass through the cell’s plasma membrane through passive MEANS. They pass through the membrane by deforming the cell’s membrane and being transported by vesicles.

Question 45

Exocytosis

Answer 45

A process in which substances inside the cell, cannot pass through of the cell’s plasma membrane through passive means. They pass through the membrane by deforming the cell’s membrane and being transported by vesicles.