Unit 3A Flashcards
Which of the characteristics of life can a cell perform?
all of them
Describe cell theory.
There are 5 components.
All organisms are made of cells
The cell is the smallest unit of life
The structure and function of an organism is due to the activities of its cells
Cells come from pre-existing cells (all cells can trace their ancestry back to the first living cell)
Because of common ancestry, cells of all species have many chemical and metabolic similarities
Describe the size of most cells.
microscopic
Name a common cell visible to the eye.
eggs
Name the terms for the different shapes of cells.
There are 9. Squamous Cuboidal Columnar Polygonal Stellate Spheroid Discoid Fusiform Fibrous
Name an alternate name for plasma membrane.
Cell membrane.
Describe the most basic features of the plasma membrane.
The outer boundary of the cell.
Separates the cell from its outside environment.
Name and describe the regions created by the plasma membrane.
There are two. Intracellular region (inside the cell) Extracellular region (outside the cell)
Name two important functions of the plasma membrane.
Communication to and from other cells.
Regulating the entry and exit of materials from the cell.
Define cytoplasm.
The stuff inside the cell
including organelles
Describe cytosol.
The fluid part of cytoplasm.
(90% water)
(also, proteins, oxygen, and other chemicals)
Describe Organelles
structures that perform specific functions.
Most are surrounded by a membrane.
Describe the functions of the nucleus.
control center
directs all cell activities
contains DNA
Describe the form of the nucleus.
largest organelle, easily seen in a microscope
surrounded by a membrane (nuclear envelope)
nuclear envelope has nuclear pores that allow entry and exit of materials
How many nuclei do most cells have?
One.
Define multinuclear.
More than one nucleus.
Define anuclear.
Has no nucleus.
Name a cell type that has more than one nucleus.
Skeletal muscle.
Define nucleolus.
special region that makes ribosomes
Define Nucleoplasm.
watery material inside nucleus
Describe the functions of mitochondria.
makes energy for the cell
cellular respiration
carb + O2 -> CO2 + water + ATP
(catabolic, exergonic)
Describe the form of mitochondria.
A larger organelle, oval. Surrounded by two membranes. Inner membrane has folds called cristae. Region inside the folds is called matrix. The outer membrane forms a boundary.
Describe the functions of a lysosome.
Autophagy
Apoptosis
catabolizes glycogen to glucose
destroys pathogens (or other cells!)
Define autophagy
destroying unwanted intracellular materials.
Define apoptosis.
cell destroys itself
Describe the form of a lysosome.
Sack-like organelle.
Inside are digestive enzymes.
Inside is highly acidic (pH = 2 wow!)