Week 2 Flashcards
Define the sedimentation coefficient
A measure of how rapidly a particle sediments when subjected to centrifugal force
- Larger/ denser particles tend to sediments faster this have a higher S value.
Precise def: ratio of particle’s sedimentation terminal velocity to the acceleration that is applied to it
How is the sediment coefficient used in cell biology.
To identify where particles have originated from.
Cytoplasm - Function
To hold the internal contents of cytosol, organelles and sub cellular structures
Cytosol
semi fluid material
Plasma Membrane (PM) - Structure
Thick layer of about 4-8 nm (40-80 A) of lipids and proteins
PM - Function
Behaves as a boundary between cell and external environment
- Defines the cell
- Regulates movement in/out
- Mediates communication w/ external environment via protein receptors
Extracellular Matrix (ECM) - Structure
Fibrous network made of various proteins and/ or polysaccharides
ECM is linked to cell via PM components like integrin (inter membrane proteins)
What is the difference between ECM between species
It varies
Animals made of the fibrous protein - collagen
Plants made of polysaccharide - cellulose
ECM - function
- Provide support and structure by:
- Cell walls of plants (cellulose) or fungi (chitin)
- Bone Matrix
- Protection against osmotic pressure changes - Adhesion/ anchorage to surrounding medium (ex: tissue formation)
Nucleus - structure
Large organelle ~ 5- 6 micrometers in diameter and 10% of cell volume
Nucleus - function
Stores DNA = Control Center
Nuclear Envelope (NE) -Structure
surrounds the nucleus/ has a double membrane
NE - Function
Holds DNA in one part of the cell
Nuclear Lamina - Structure
Network of intermediate filaments ( components of the cytoskeleton)
Lamina lies just beneath the inner later of the NE
Nuclear Lamina - Function
Scaffolding by holding the cell up to support the nuclear structure
- Thought to also play a role in chromatin organization
Nuclear Pores - Structure
Regulated openings throughout the NE
Nuclear Pores - Function
Openings are controlled by NPC
Nuclear Pore Complex - Purpose
Behaves sort of like a basket by catching what doesn’t belong
- Controls movement of substances in/out the nucleus
Nucleolus - Structure
Region within the Nucleus
Cluster Region of ribosomal RNA genes surrounded by specific RNA’s and proteins
- Site of ribosomal subunit
Endomembrane System includes (7 organelles)
NE ER Golgi Lysosomes Vacuoles PM Transport vesicles