Y12 Retrieval questions Flashcards
Describe the structure of a cellulose cell wall
cellulose is made of long unbranded chains of B glucose joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds, the bonds are straight so the cellulose chains are straight. 50 to 80 cellulose chains are held together by many hydrogen bonds forming micro fibrils, micro fibrils arranged in a mesh, micro fibrils held together by pectin and hemicelluloses
Describe the structure of starch
mixture of two polysaccharides of alpha glucose. amylose is a long unbranched chain of a glucose containing only alpha 1-4 glycocidic bonds. the angles of the glycosidic bonds give it a coiled structure which makes it compact so good for storage. amylopectin is a long branched chain of a glucose that contains both 1-4 and 1-6 glycocidic bonds and is therefore branched. its side branches allow enzymes to get at the glycosidic bonds easily so glucose can be released quickly. it is insoluble in water
Why are different enzymes needed to digest starch and cellulose?
different shape molecule requires a different enzyme as they have different active site shapes. cellulose is made of B glucose and starch of a glucose. 1,6 glycosidic bonds are only in starch. starch is made of amylose and amylopectin, cellulose is linear and starch is branched
Describe the test for a reducing sugar and state the positive result
Add benedicts reagent, heat, positive result = turns from blue to orange-brown
Why is the benedicts test known as a semi-quantitive test
Because it tells you how much sugar there is, but not exactly how much (i.e. it’s not quantitative)
What’s the difference between quantitatve and qualitative results
Quantitative results are numbers - they tell you exactly how much. Qualitative results are words
What is a disaccharide? What type of bond is involved?
Two monosaccharides joined together by a glycosidic bond
What type of reaction joins monosaccharides together?
Condensation
What type of reaction breaks polysaccharides apart
Hydrolysis
What disaccharide is made by joining glucose and glucose?
Maltose
What disaccharide is made by joining fructose and glucose?
Sucrose
What disaccharide is made by joining glucose and galactose?
Lactose
Describe the test (and result) for starch
add iodine solution. If starch is present it will change from orange/brown to blue/black
Describe the structure of glycogen
Polymer of alpha glucose - highly branched
What’s the differences and similarities between starch and glycogen?
Glycogen is always branched, starch isn’t. Starch found in plants, glycogen in animals. Both are energy stores, both made of alpha glucose
Describe the structure of cellulose
A polymer of Beta glucose - straight, unbranched chains with cross linkages
State 4 roles of lipids
source of energy, waterproofing, insulation, protection
What does a tryglyceride consist of? Which type of bonds hold it together?
Glycerol and 3 fatty acids - ester bonds
How is a phospholipid different to a tryglyceride? And how are they similar?
Only 2 fatty acids (Tryglyceride has three). Phosphate head (tryglyceride has no phosphate). Both have fatty acids.
What are the monomers that make up a) proteins b) cellulose c) starch
amino acids, beta glucose, alpha glucose
What type of bond joins amino acids together
peptide bond
Draw the structure of an amino acid
diagram
Which part of the amino acid is variable? Approx. how many different types are there
The r group - approx 20 amino acids
What’s the difference between primary and secondary structure of polypeptides?
Primary = sequence of amino acids. Secondary - the shape in which the chain forms due to hydrogen bonds
Describe the test (and result) for proteins
The biuret test - add sodium hydroxide, then copper sulfate. If the blue solution turns purple then it’s a postive result
How do enzymes speed up reactions?
They lower the activation energy
Describe the action of enzymes - how do they work?
The substrate binds to the active site making an enzyme substrate complex. The shape of the active site changes slightly as it binds (induced fit), as it changes shape, the enzyme puts a strain on the substrate, causing it to distort slightly so this lowers the activation energy
What’s the difference between a competitive and non-competitive inhibitor?
Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site, blocking it so the substrate can’t bind. Non-competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere, causing the active site to change shape so the substrate can’t bind
How can you find out if an inhibitor is competitive or non-competitive?
Increase the substrate concentration, if it is non-competitive, it will make no difference, if it is competitive, then more substrates should increase the rate of reaction
Describe (draw) how a monosaccharide is formed
Condensation reaction between two glucose monomers, 1-4 glycosidic bond
What type of reaction breaks a 1-4 glycosidic bond?
Hydrolysis reaction
Name the 4 bases found in DNA, name the bonds that form between them
Adenine - Thymine and Guanine -cytosine. Hydrogen bonds
Draw a nucleotide
diagram
Draw a polynucleotide. Label the phosphodiester bond
diagram
Which molecules make up the ‘backbone’ of a polynucleotide?
Phosphates and pentose sugars
Which enzyme separates the strands in DNA replication?
DNA Helicase
State the role of DNA polymerase
Joins nucleotides together in condensation reactions
Why is DNA replication known as ‘semi conservative’?
Because the orginal strand is split in two and half of each new strand comes from the original. Half is ‘conserved’
What are the inner folds of mitochondria called?
Cristae
What is the function of the Golgi Apparatus?
To process & package new proteins & lipids; makes lysosomes.
What is the function of a lysosome?
Contain enzymes- lysozymes used to digest broken/invaded cells.
What is a ribosome made of?
Proteins, RNA (NO MEMBRANE!)
What is the function of a ribosome?
Protein synthesis
Describe the difference between smooth & rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Smooth= no ribosomes
What is the function of the smooth ER?
Synthesises & processes lipids
What makes up the cell wall of plants & algae?
Cellulose
What is a tonoplast?
The membrane of a plant-vacuole
Why would an epithelial cell in the small intestine need lots of mitochondria?
Respiration, to give energy needed for absorption of nutrients.
What is a tissue?
A group of similar cells performing a similiar function e.g. epithelial cells form epithelial tissue
What is an organ?
A group of similar tissues working together e.g muscular, epithelial & glandular tissues form the stomach.
Describe the function of the nucleolus.
Makes ribosomes
Give 2 differences between plant & fungal cells.
Fungi= no chloroplasts & chitin cell wall not cellulose
List 3 differences between eukaryotic & prokaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic = no membrane bound organelles, no nucleus, smaller ribosomes, murein cell wall
What is a plasmid?
A loop of DNA NOT part of main chromosomal DNA e.g. genes for antibiotic resistance. Not in all bacterial cells.
Why might a bacterial cell have a slime capsule?
To give protection against the cells of the immune system.
Why do prokaryotes undergo Binary Fission?
Bacteria replicate using binary fission
What replicates in Binary fission?
Chromosomal DNA replicates once- plasmids may replicate many times
What is the role of the attachment proteins of a virus?
To allow viruses to invade host cells, by using complemetary binding to receptors on host cells.
Briefly describe the steps of viral replication.
- Viruses attach to host cells using attachment proteins 2. Genetic material is released into host cell 3. Host cell machinery replicates viral DNA/RNA/proteins 4. Viruses assemble & replicate 5. Viruses leave host cell
Describe the term resolution.
Level of detail seen in an image- how close together 2 objects are to be seen as separate.
Describe the term magnification.
The number of times larger an image of an object is compared with the actual size.
Describe 2 differences between a light microscope & SEM.
SEM- higher resolution (3-10nm rather than 200nm), higher magnification (200,000 rather than 2000), uses electrons rather than light, can see surface of cells- 3D image
Write down the formula for magnification.
magnification = size of image/ size of real object
1mm = ? μm
1mm = 1000 μm
50 μm = ? cm
0.005 cm
1mm = ? nm
1mm = 1,000,000m
Use standard form to write the number 0.00002 mm
2 x 10-5
List 3 organelles you cannot view with a light microscope.
ribosomes, ER, lysosomes
Describe when you would use a TEM.
To view a thin specimen, high resolution to see small objects.
Why is a stain used when preparing a slide?
Stains highlight objects in a cell- you can see certain organelles more clearly.
Why does a specimen need to be thin when preparing a slide?
Thin specimens allow light to pass through the object, so can be seen clearly.
Describe what an artefact is.
Artefacts are viewed underneath a microscope but should not be there e.g. air bubble, dust, fingerprint and usually arise from inaccurate preparation of a sample.
List the 3 steps involved in cell fractionation.
Homogenisation, filtration, ultracentrifugation
What is the heaviest organelle?
nucleus
What are the lighest organelles?
ribosomes
Explain why an ice-cold, isotonic, buffered solution is used in cell fractionation.
Ice- cold: slow enzyme activity, Isotonic: prevent damage to organelles, Buffered: control pH
What type of microscope would you use to study lysosomes?
TEM
Which type of microscope would be used to study replication of E.coli bacteria?
Light
Which type of microscope would be used to study the 3D structure of a red blood cell?
SEM
List the 4 stages of the cell cycle.
Mitosis, G1, Synthesis, G2
What is interphase?
Growth stages (most of cell cycle) ie G1, synthesis, G2
Describe what happens to a cell in interphase.
DNA unravels & replicates, organelles replicate & ATP increases.
What is the ultimate outcome of mitosis?
2 genetically identical daughter cells
Describe 2 uses of mitosis by organisms
For growth & repair of human cells (e.g. skin) embryonic development, asexual reproduction of plants.
List the stages of mitosis in order.
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
What is a centromere?
The centre point of a chromosome- holds 2 sister chromatids together.
What is a centriole?
Bundles of protein, which produce spindle fibres and move to poles of the cell in prophase.
Describe what occurs in Prophase.
Nuclear envelope breaks down, centriples move to either end, chromosomes condense.
List 2 events that happen in Metaphase.
Chromosomes lines up on spindle equator, spindle fibres attach to centromeres.
Describe what cells would look like when undergoing anaphase.
No nuclear envelope, v-shaped chromatids being pulled apart to opposite ends of the cell.
List 2 events that happen in Telophase.
Chromatids uncoil & nuclear envelope reforms.
What is cytokinesis?
Final stage of mitosis where the 2 joined cells separate into 2 daughter cells.
If 10 cells out of a total of 100 are in metaphase of mitosis & one complete cycle takes 15 hours, how long do the cells spend in metaphase? Give answer in minutes.
15 x 60 = 900 , 10/100 x 900 = 90 mins
Briefly, what causes cancer?
When the cell cycle is out of control (gene mutation)
Vincristine is a cancer drug which prevents spindle fibres from formed. Briefly describe how this will lead to treatment.
No spindle = no anaphase so mitosis cannot occur, cells can’t divide & cancer can’t develop further.
How can the overall magnification of a light microscope be calculated?
Objective lens x occular lens (usually x10)
What is the mitotic index?
The proportion of cells in a sample undergoing mitosis.
Write down the formula for mitotic index.
Mitotic index = number of cells with visible chromosomes / total number of observed cells
What is an eyepiece graticule?
A transparent ruler, attached to the eyepiece used to measure actual size of cells.
Would you expect the mitotic index of root tip cells to be higher or lower than cells from a mature leaf?
Higher- root tip divides to extend.
Description and function of the cell wall?
rigid structure, mainly made of cellulose, that surrounds and supports plant cells.
Description and function of the chloroplast
small flattened structure. has a double membrane and membranes inside called thylakoid membranes. thylakoid membranes are stacked up in some parts to form grana. grana are linked together by lamellae (thin pieces of thylakoid membrane). Site of photosynthesis
Description and function of the vacuole and tonoplast
vacuole is a compartment surrounded by a membrane called a tonoplast. vacuole contains cell sap which is made up of water, enzymes, minerals and waste products. vacuoles keep cells turgid - stops plants from wilting. also involved in the breakdown and isolation of unwanted chemicals in the cell. tonoplast controls what enters and leaves vacuole
How is HIV spread?
Through infected bodily fluids. via sex, sharing needles, direct blood to blood transfer and maternal transmission from mother to unborn child
What is a capsid?
Protein coat around the core
What are the attachment proteins on a virus?
Attachment proteins?stick out from the edge of the capsid of envelope, let the virus cling on to a suitable host cell
What is the envelope on a virus?
Extra outer layer stolen from the cell membrane of a previous host cell
Describe the basic structure of a virus
A strand of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) enclosed within a protein coat
How does the HIV virus replicate?
Attaches to receptor molecule on host cell membrane. capsid is released into cell and it uncoats and releases nucleic acid. reverse transcriptase is used to make a complementary strand of DNA from the viral RNA template. double stranded DNA is made and inserted into the human DNA (using integrase). host cell enzymes are used to make viral proteins from the viral DNA within the human DNA. the viral proteins are assembled into new viruses and releases from the cell via cell lysis
How does HIV invade T helper cells?
(gp120) glycoprotein molecules on the virus surface bind to CD4 receptors on the surface of t helper cells. they then combine with a second receptor. this allows the envelope surrounding the virus to fuse with the T helper cell membrane, enabling the viral RNA to enter the cell
What are opportunistic infections?
Infections that occur when the body’s defenses are weakened
What are the initial symptoms of AIDS?
Minor infections of mucosal membranes and recurring respiratory infections caused by a lower than normal number of T helper cells
When are people with HIV classed as having AIDS?
When symptoms of failing immune system start to appear or their T helper cell count drops below a certain level
What is AIDs?
When the immune system deteriorates and eventually falls
Description of nucleus
Large organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope which contains pores. the nucleus contains chromatin (which is made from DNA and proteins and a structure called the nucleolus.
What is the function of nucleus ?
Controls the cells activities by controlling the transcription of DNA. DNA contains instructions to make proteins. Pores allow substances to move between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nucleolus makes ribosomes
Description of lysosome
A round organelle surrounded by a membrane with no clear internal structure
What is the function of the lysozyme?
Contains digestive enzymes which are used to digest invading cells or break down worn components of the cell
Describe a ribosome
A very small organelle that either floats free in the cytoplasm or is attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. It is made up of proteins and RNA. No membrane
Describe the RER
A system of membrane bound flattened sacs. the surface is covered with ribosomes
What is the function of the RER?
Folds and processes proteins that have been made at the ribosomes
Describe the SER
Description of smooth endoplasmic reticulum ?a system of membrane bound flattened sacs but with no ribosomes
What is the function of the SER?
Function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum ?synthesises and processes lipids
Describe the Golgi apparatus
A group of fluid filled membrane bound flattened sacs. formed by the fusion of vesicles from the ER
Describe the mitochondria
Description of mitochondria ?Double membrane- inner one is folded to form a structure called cristae. inside is the matrix which contains enzymes involved in respiration
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Function of mitochondria ?site of aerobic respiration, where ATP is produced. found in large numbers in cells that are very active and require a lot of energy.
Describe the centriole
small hollow cylinders made of microtubules. found in animal cells but only some plant cells
What is the function of the centriole?
Involved with the separation of chromosomes during cell division
What type of proteins do ribosomes make?
Ribosomes on the rER make proteins that are excreted or attached to the cell membrane. Free ribosomes in the cytoplasm make proteins that stay in the cytoplasm.
What happens once the new proteins are made ?
They enter into the rER and are folded and processed. Then they are transported to the Golgi apparatus in vesicles. The vesicles fuse to form the flattened sacs of the Golgi and the Golgi further processes the proteins. The proteins enter more vesicles and are transported around the cell
What is found in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells?
No membrane bound organelles and has smaller ribosomes than in eukaryotic cell
What is the flagellum?
long hair like structure that rotates to make the prokaryotic cell move. not all prokaryotes have a flagellum and some have more than one
What is circular DNA?
Long coiled up strand of DNA that is not attached to any histone proteins
What kind of cell does mitosis produce ?
genetically identical daughter cells
What is mitosis needed for ?
growth, repairing damaged tissues and for asexual reproduction
What does the cell cycle consist of ?
Interphase which is a period of cell growth and DNA replication (G1, S and G2) then Mitosis
What happens during Interphase?
Gap phase 1 - cell grows and new organelles and proteins are made. Gap phase 2 - cell keeps growing and proteins needed for cell division are made. ATP content is increased. Synthesis - cell replicates its DNA ready to divide by mitosis
Order of stages in mitosis
prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase
What happens in prophase?
Chromosomes condense, becoming shorter and thicker, each chromosome is visible as 2 strands called chromatids. centrioles start moving to opposite ends of the cell, forming a network of protein fibers called a spindle. nuclear envelope breaks down and the chromosomes lie free in the cytoplasm
What happens in metaphase?
Metaphase ?chromosomes, each with 2 chromatids line up along the middle of the cell and become attached to the spindle fibers at their equator by their centromeres.
What happens in anaphase?
Anaphase ?centromeres divide, separating each pair of sister chromatids. the spindles contract, pulling chromatids to opposite poles of the spindle, centromere first
What happens in telophase?
Telophase ?chromatids reach the opposite poles on the spindle. they uncoil and become long and thin and are called chromosomes again. a nuclear envelope forms around each group of chromosomes so there are 2 nuclei. The cytoplasm divides and there are now 2 genetically identical daughter cells.
How does mitosis ensure genetic consistency ?
DNA replication before mitosis. The arrangement of chromosomes on the spindle and the separation of chromosomes to the pole
Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophobic?
Tail
What is the role of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
add strength, reduce lateral movement, stop leakage
Describe the importance of a partially permeable membrane.
The membrane will only allow certain molecules through- regulates movements of solutes