Week 2 - Plant cells

Question 1

Cell theory

Answer 1

1. All organisms consist of 1 or more cell
2. cell is the smallest unit of life
3. all cells come from pre-existing life

Question 2

Why are cells so small?

Answer 2

surface area limits the cells volume

Question 3

All cells have what cell structure

Answer 3

1. outer membrane
2. genetic material in the form of DNA
3. cytoplasm with ribosomes

Question 4

Structures in all Eukaryotic cells

Answer 4

1. Nucleus
2. Ribosomes
3. Endomembrane system - ER smooth and rough
4. Mitochondria
5. cytoskeleton

Question 5

the endosymbiotic theory

Answer 5

prokaryotic cell engulf other prokaryotes resulting in the first eukaryotic cells

Question 6

what is the Nuclear pore complex (NPC)

Answer 6

Controls the traffic of cells contents between the nucleus and the cytoplasm

Question 7

What molecules can pass the NPC

Answer 7

molecules of low molecular weight less than 60kDa or 60,000 amu

Question 8

what are granum and their role in photosynthesis?

Answer 8

Granum are stacked membrane sacs inside Chloroplasts, that contain chlorophyll allowing for photosynthesis

Question 9

Structure of chloroplasts

Answer 9

stacks of granum surrounded by a liquid called Stroma

Question 10

other plastids in plants and their functions

Answer 10

Chromoplasts - contain colored pigments
Amyloplasts - store starch

Question 11

What is the Cell Wall

Answer 11

it provides cell structure and protection, it is made of cellulose and otehr polysaccharides, never found in animals

Question 12

What are functions of the cell walls

Answer 12

cell-cell adhesion, transport, defence and reproduction

Question 13

What are Plasmodesmata

Answer 13

They are pores in the cell wall allowing transport to neighbouring cells

Question 14

What is the vacuole and its purpose

Answer 14

it a large central compartment surrounded by a differentially permeable membrane, that removes unwanted structural debris, isolating harmful substances and maintaining an acidic internal ph