Unit 2: Cell Structure & Function Flashcards

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1
Q

prokaryotic cells

A
  • include bacteria
  • genetic material is a circular chromosome located in the center of the cell in the nucleoid region
  • can contain extra genetic material outside of the chromosome, which is held in small circular pieces of DNA called plasmids
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2
Q

eukaryotic cells

A
  • contain membrane-bound organelles; more complex than prokaryotic
  • DNA packaged into linear chromosomes that are contained in a membrane-bound nucleus
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3
Q

all cells

A

contain genetic material, ribosomes, cytosol, and a plasma membrane

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4
Q

ribosomes

A
  • protein synthesis
  • made of proteins and ribosomal RNA
  • large subunit + small subunit
  • ribosomes assemble amino acids into polypeptide chains during translation
  • free ribosomes are found in the cytosol; bound ribosomes in eukaryotes are found on the rough ER membrane
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5
Q

endoplasmic reticulum

A
  • series of membrane channels in eukaryotes
  • rough ER: ribosomes bound to its membranes; protein synthesis
  • smooth ER: lipid synthesis and detoxification of harmful substances
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6
Q

Golgi complex

A
  • stack of flattened membrane stacks
  • lumen: interior of each cisterna; contains enzymes
  • controls modification and packaging of proteins for transport
  • proteins made on rough ER are sent to the complex, then they’re modified at the Golgi and packaged into vesicles for transport
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7
Q

lysosomes

A
  • animal cells
  • membrane-bound sacs containing hydrolytic enzymes
  • digestion of macromolecules, breakdown of unnecessary parts, apoptosis, destruction of bacteria/viruses
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8
Q

vacuole

A
  • food or water storage, water regulation, waste storage
  • occupy majority of cells in well-hydrated cells
  • provide plant cell with turgor pressure and support by filling space
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9
Q

mitochondria

A
  • produce energy (ATP) for cell
  • double membranes with smooth outer membrane and folded inner membrane
  • folds increase surface area available for energy production during cellular respiration
  • double-membrane allows for creation of proton gradient necessary for ATP gradient
  • center of mitochondria: matrix, where Krebs (citric acid) cycle
  • contain their own DNA, called mtDNA
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10
Q

chloroplasts

A
  • found in plants and algae
  • carry out photosynthesis
  • double membranes with smooth outer membrane and pancake-shaped membranous sacs called thylakoids
  • thylakoids stacked into structures called grana, which are surrounded by liquid called stroma
  • thylakoids function in light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, enzymes in stroma function in light-independent reactions of photosynthesis
  • contain their own DNA, called cpDNA
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11
Q

centrosome

A
  • found in animal cells
  • helps microtubules assemble into spindle fibers needed in cell division
  • defects in centrosome can be associated with dysregulation of the cell cycle
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12
Q

amyloplasts

A
  • plant cells
  • excess glucose produced by photosynthesis is stored as starch molecules here
  • frequently found in root and tubers of starchy vegetables
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13
Q

peroxisome

A
  • plant and animal cells
  • oxidize molecules and break down toxins
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14
Q

nucleolus

A
  • plant and animal cells
  • NOT membrane-bound
  • region in nucleus where ribosomes are assembled
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15
Q

cytoskeleton

A
  • fibers give cells shape and can move things in the cell
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16
Q

endosymbiosis hypothesis

A
  • membrane-bound organelles (like mitochondria and chloroplasts) were once free-living prokaryotes that were absorbed into larger prokaryotes
  • these prokaryotes became interdependent on each other; smaller engulfed prokaryotes evolved to become membrane-bound organelles
  • EVIDENCE: mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA, which is similar to prokaryotic DNA; mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own ribosomes, which are similar in structure to prokaryotes; mitochondria and chloroplasts reproduce through binary fission like bacteria
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17
Q

advantages of compartmentalization

A
  • different processes in different parts of the cell
  • minimizes risk of enzymes and molecules from different processes cross-reacting, which would hurt efficiency
  • internal folded membranes in some eukaryotes provides greater surface area for reactions to occur
  • folded membranes of prokaryotes create more surface area
18
Q

surface area to volume ratio (SA:V)

A
  • all materials exchanged between a cell and its environment must pass through the cell’s surface area
  • as the size of the cell increases, SA:V decreases; eventually cell’s ability to exchange materials will be limited
  • larger cells have lower SA:V ratio and less efficient exchange of materials; smaller cells have higher SA:V ratio and more efficient exchange of materials
  • SA:V can be increased by folding membranes
19
Q

plasma membranes

A
  • help maintain an optimal internal environment
  • selectively permeable: some materials can cross and some can’t, which protects the cell
  • made of phospholipid bilayer of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails; heads face aqueous environment
  • embedded with glycoproteins, glycolipids, and steroids, which can flow throughout the membrane
  • proteins in membrane can transport materials, help with cell signaling, anchor cell to surroundings, and catalyze reactions
20
Q

glycoproteins and glycolipids

A

found in membrane, function in cell recognition

21
Q

steroids

A

found in membrane, adjust membrane fluidity in response to changing environment

22
Q

fluid mosaic model

A
  • structure of the plasma membrane
  • selective permeability: small hydrophobic molecules can pass through, while large polar or ionic molecules cannot unassisted
23
Q

cell wall

A
  • in plants, fungi, and prokaryotic cells
  • surrounds the cell membrane
  • provides rigidity to the cell and is an added barrier for substances entering/exiting the cell
24
Q

passive transport

A

movement of molecules from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration; moves molecules “down” the gradient; does not require energy

25
Q

diffusion

A

movement of molecules down concentration gradient without energy

26
Q

osmosis

A

diffusion of water down its concentration gradient

27
Q

facilitated diffusion

A

passive transport for polar or charged molecules using a membrane protein; ex. aquaporins allow large quantities of water to move down their gradient; rate of facilitated diffusion is limited by the number of membrane proteins available

28
Q

channel proteins

A

can be used for passive transport of ions

29
Q

active transport

A

moves molecules from areas of low concentration to high concentration; movement “against” the gradient that requires energy input; ex. sodium potassium pump that pumps Na+ to area of their higher concentration while pumping K+ to area of their lower concentration to maintain cell’s membrane potential

30
Q

endocytosis

A

used by cell to take in water and macromolecules by enfolding them into vesicles formed from plasma membrane; requires energy

31
Q

exocytosis

A

vesicles containing molecules are fused with plasma membrane, expelling molecules from the cell; requires energy

32
Q

water potential

A
  • potential energy of water in a solution/the ability of water to do work
  • focuses on concentration of water in solution
  • the more water, the higher the water potential
  • water flows from areas of high water potential to areas of lower water potential
  • not relative
33
Q

hypotonic solution

A

lower concentration of solute (relative)

34
Q

hypertonic solution

A

higher concentration of solute (relative)

35
Q

isotonic

A

same concentration of solute as that of another solution (relative)

36
Q

solute potential

A

water potential due to solute concentration

37
Q

pressure potential

A

water potential due to pressure potential

38
Q

ionization constant

A
  • i
  • how many particles/ions a solute will form in a solution
39
Q

concentration of solute

A
  • C
  • if concentration of solute increases, solute potential decreases
  • solutions with higher concentration of solute will have lower water potentials
40
Q

pressure constant

A
  • R
  • 0.0831
41
Q

osmolarity

A

total concentration of solutes in a solution; living organisms must closely regulate their internal solute concentration and water potential to avoid death

42
Q

contractile vacuole

A

organelle found in some organisms used to store excess water and pump it out of the cell to regulate water potential and solute concentration