Biology Chapter 7: Cell Structure Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the cell theory?

All living things are composed of cells. (correct)

Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things. (correct)

New cells are produced from existing cells. (correct)

None of the above.

What are the characteristics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Prokaryotic cells have genetic material not contained in a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus.

What is the basic unit of life?

Cell

What is cell theory?

A fundamental concept of biology. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nucleus?

A large membrane-enclosed structure that contains the cell's genetic material in the form of DNA. Signup and view all the answers

What is a eukaryote?

Cells that contain nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

What is a prokaryote?

Cells that do not contain nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

What are organelles?

"Little organs" Signup and view all the answers

What is cytoplasm?

The portion of the cell outside the nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the nucleus contain?

Nearly all the cell's DNA. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nuclear envelope?

Two membranes that surround the nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What is chromatin?

Granular material visible within the nucleus, consisting of DNA tightly coiled around proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nucleolus?

Small, dense region within most nuclei in which the assembly of proteins begins. Signup and view all the answers

What are ribosomes?

Small particles in the cell on which proteins are assembled; made of RNA and protein. Signup and view all the answers

What is the endoplasmic reticulum?

An internal membrane system in cells in which lipid components of the cell membrane are assembled and some proteins are modified. Signup and view all the answers

What is the golgi apparatus?

Stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum. Signup and view all the answers

What are vacuoles?

Cell organelles that store materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What are mitochondria?

Cell organelles that convert the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use. Signup and view all the answers

What are chloroplasts?

Organelles found in cells of plants and some other organisms that capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cytoskeleton?

A network of protein filaments within some cells that helps the cell maintain its shape and is involved in many forms of cell movement. Signup and view all the answers

What are centrioles?

One of two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm of animal cells near the nuclear envelope. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell and also provides protection and support. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the cell wall?

To provide support and protection for the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What happens during diffusion?

Substances diffuse across membranes without requiring the cell to use energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is osmosis?

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cell membrane?

A thin, flexible barrier that surrounds all cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cell wall?

A strong supporting layer around the membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is a lipid bilayer?

A double-layered sheet in nearly all cell membranes. Signup and view all the answers

What is concentration?

The mass of solute in a given volume of solution, or mass/volume. Signup and view all the answers

What is diffusion?

The process by which molecules tend to move from an area where they are more concentrated to an area where they are less concentrated. Signup and view all the answers

What is equilibrium?

When the concentration of the solute is the same throughout the system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypertonic solution?

"Above strength". Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypotonic solution?

"Below strength". Signup and view all the answers

What is isotonic solution?

"Same strength". Signup and view all the answers

What is facilitated diffusion?

Movement of specific molecules across cell membranes through protein channels. Signup and view all the answers

What is active transport?

An energy-requiring process that moves material across a cell membrane against a concentration difference. Signup and view all the answers

What is endocytosis?

The process of taking material into the cell by means of infoldings, or pockets, of the cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is phagocytosis?

"Cell eating". Signup and view all the answers

What is pinocytosis?

Process by which a cell takes in liquid from the surrounding environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is exocytosis?

Process by which a cell releases large amounts of material. Signup and view all the answers

What is cell specialization?

Cells throughout an organism can develop in different ways to perform different tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 4 levels of organization in multi-cellular organisms?

Individual cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Signup and view all the answers

What is tissue?

A group of similar cells that perform a particular function. Signup and view all the answers

What is an organ?

Group of tissues that work together to perform closely related functions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an organ system?

A group of organs that work together to perform a specific function. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Theory and Basics

All living things are composed of cells, which are the fundamental units of structure and function.
New cells arise from existing cells, forming the basis of cell theory, a core biological principle.

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Prokaryotic cells: Lack a nucleus, have genetic material distributed throughout the cell.
Eukaryotic cells: Contain a nucleus that encapsulates genetic material (DNA).

Cell Structures

A cell is defined as the basic unit of life.
The nucleus is a larger membrane-bound organelle housing the cell's DNA.
Organelle refers to "little organs," specialized structures within the cell, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Nucleus and Genetic Material

The nuclear envelope consists of two membranes surrounding the nucleus, serving as a barrier.
Chromatin is granular material within the nucleus, primarily made of tightly coiled DNA and proteins.
The nucleolus, located within the nucleus, is responsible for ribosome assembly.

Protein Synthesis

Ribosomes are small particles where protein assembly occurs; they are composed of RNA and proteins.
The endoplasmic reticulum is an internal membrane system where lipid components and protein modifications occur.
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for transport.

Cellular Metabolism

Mitochondria convert chemical energy from food into usable compounds for the cell.
Chloroplasts, present in plant cells, capture sunlight to produce chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Cell Support Structures

The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments that provides structural support and facilitates cell movement.
Centrioles, located near the nucleus in animal cells, play a role in cell division.

Cell Membranes

The cell membrane is a flexible barrier controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell, providing protection and support.
The cell wall, found in plants, fungi, and some bacteria, offers additional support and protection around the cell membrane.

Molecular Transport Mechanisms

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from areas of higher concentration to lower concentration, occurring without energy expenditure.
Osmosis specifically refers to the diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.
Facilitated diffusion employs protein channels for specific molecule transport across membranes.

Concentration and Equilibrium

Concentration measures the mass of solute in a given solution volume.
Equilibrium occurs when solute concentrations are equal throughout a system.

Solution Conditions

Isotonic solutions have equal concentrations on both sides.
Hypertonic solutions have higher solute concentrations outside the cell, leading to potential cell shrinkage.
Hypotonic solutions have lower solute concentrations outside the cell, which may cause the cell to swell.

Active Transport and Vesicular Transport

Active transport requires energy to move materials against concentration gradients.
Endocytosis involves cell membrane pockets engulfing materials; phagocytosis refers to "cell eating," while pinocytosis involves liquid uptake.
Exocytosis allows cells to release large amounts of material into the exterior.

Cell Specialization and Organization

Cell specialization permits diverse cell types to develop and perform specific tasks.
The organization levels in multicellular organisms are: cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
Tissues consist of similar cells performing particular functions, while organs are collections of tissues working in tandem. Organ systems are groups of organs collaborating to fulfill specific biological roles.

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Explore the fundamental concepts of cell structure and function with flashcards from Chapter 7. This quiz covers key topics like the cell theory and the characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Test your knowledge and enhance your understanding of cellular biology.