Animal Cell Biology and Systems

• These notes cover animal cell biology, bodily systems, and cell division, including cancer.

Organelles in Animal Cells

• Nucleus controls cell activities and houses DNA.
• Mitochondria produces ATP energy via cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes produce proteins.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Smooth ER synthesizes lipids; Rough ER aids in protein synthesis.
• Golgi Apparatus packages and ships proteins and lipids.
• Lysosomes break down waste and old cell parts.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that holds organelles in place.
• Cell Membrane protects the cell and regulates entry/exit of substances.

Cellular Respiration

• Produces energy (ATP) for cells.
• Chemical Equation: C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy (ATP)
• Word Equation: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
• Occurs in mitochondria.

Levels of Organization in an Animal Organism

• Specialized Cell is the basic unit (e.g., muscle cell).
• Tissue is a group of similar cells working together (e.g., muscle tissue).
• Organ composed of different tissues working together (e.g., heart).
• Organ System is a group of organs working together (e.g., digestive system).
• Organism is a whole living being (e.g., human).

Human Digestive System

• Mouth breaks down food with chewing and saliva.
• Esophagus carries food to stomach via peristalsis.
• Stomach digests food with acid and enzymes.
• Small Intestine absorbs nutrients from food.
• Large Intestine absorbs water and forms waste.
• Liver produces bile to break down fats.
• Pancreas secretes enzymes to aid digestion.

Roles in Digestion

• Bile breaks down fats in the small intestine.
• Enzymes speed up chemical reactions to break down food.
• Mucus protects stomach lining from acid.
• Hydrochloric Acid breaks down food and kills bacteria in the stomach.

Respiratory System

• Nose/Mouth filters, warms, and moistens air.
• Trachea (Windpipe) carries air to the lungs.
• Lungs facilitate gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
• Alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs.
• Diaphragm helps with breathing by expanding and contracting the lungs.

Gas Exchange and Diaphragm

• Gas Exchange: Oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide exits in the lungs.
• Diaphragm moves down to inhale, pulling air in, and moves up to exhale, pushing air out.

Blood Composition

• Red Blood Cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• White Blood Cells fight infections.
• Platelets help blood clot.
• Plasma carries nutrients, waste, and proteins.

Veins, Arteries, and Capillaries

• Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and have thick walls.
• Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart and have valves to prevent backflow.
• Capillaries are tiny vessels for gas exchange with very thin walls.
• Oxygenated Blood is rich in oxygen, found in arteries.
• Deoxygenated Blood has little oxygen, found in veins.

Heart Structure and Blood Flow

• Chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
• Arteries/Vessels: Aorta (oxygenated blood out), Pulmonary Artery (deoxygenated blood to lungs)
• Blood Flow:
  • Deoxygenated blood enters right atrium.
  • Blood moves to right ventricle, then to lungs via pulmonary artery.
  • Oxygenated blood returns to left atrium, moves to left ventricle, and is pumped to the body via the aorta.

Diseases of Various Systems

• Constipation: Difficulty passing stool.
• Heartburn: Acid from stomach enters esophagus.
• Celiac Disease: Body can't digest gluten.
• Heart Attack: Blocked blood flow to heart.
• Atherosclerosis: Hardening of arteries.
• Smoking/Vaping: Damage to lungs and respiratory system.
• Cancers (e.g., lung, colon): Abnormal cell growth.

Interdependence of Systems

• Digestive system provides nutrients for blood (circulatory system) to deliver to cells.
• Respiratory system provides oxygen for cellular respiration.

Cell Division

• Purpose: For growth, repair, and reproduction.
• Stages:
  • Interphase: Cell grows and DNA is copied.
  • Mitosis: Cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
  • Cytokinesis: Final division of the cytoplasm.

Mitosis Stages

• Prophase: Chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane breaks.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes line up in the middle.
• Anaphase: Chromatids separate.
• Telophase: Two new nuclear membranes form.
• Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm divides, two cells form.

Key Terms

• Chromatin: Uncoiled DNA.
• Sister Chromatid: Identical halves of a chromosome.
• Chromosome: Coiled DNA, contains genes.
• Centromere: Connects sister chromatids.
• Centriole: Helps in cell division.
• Spindle Fibers: Help separate chromatids during mitosis.

Cell Growth Limits

• Surface Area:Volume Ratio: Cells divide when too large to efficiently exchange materials.

Diffusion and Osmosis

• Diffusion: Movement of particles from high to low concentration.
• Osmosis: Movement of water across a membrane from high to low concentration.
• Difference: Osmosis involves water, while diffusion involves all types of particles.

Cancer Cells

• Divide uncontrollably, don't follow normal cell cycle.
• Benign Tumor: Non-cancerous, doesn't spread.
• Malignant Tumor: Cancerous, can spread.
• Metastasis: Spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
• Mutations: Changes in DNA that can cause cancer.
• Carcinogens: Substances that cause cancer.

Cancer Detection and Treatment

• Techniques: Mammogram, Pap test, blood tests, biopsy.
• Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy.

Explore the structure and function of animal cells, including organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Learn about cellular respiration and the levels of organization in an animal organism, from cells to organ systems. Also included is information about cell division and cancer.