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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
What is the site of protein synthesis in a cell?
What is the site of protein synthesis in a cell?
What is the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell?
What is the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell?
What is the purpose of lysosomes in a cell?
What is the purpose of lysosomes in a cell?
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What is the term for the movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy?
What is the term for the movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy?
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What is the function of the Golgi Apparatus in a cell?
What is the function of the Golgi Apparatus in a cell?
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What is the term for the series of molecular interactions that allow cells to respond to stimuli?
What is the term for the series of molecular interactions that allow cells to respond to stimuli?
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What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?
What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?
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What is a characteristic of viruses?
What is a characteristic of viruses?
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What is a characteristic of bacteria?
What is a characteristic of bacteria?
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What is a type of fungi?
What is a type of fungi?
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What is the function of protozoa in the ecosystem?
What is the function of protozoa in the ecosystem?
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What is a characteristic of viruses in the infection process?
What is a characteristic of viruses in the infection process?
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What is a type of bacteria?
What is a type of bacteria?
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What is a characteristic of fungi?
What is a characteristic of fungi?
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What is a characteristic of protozoa?
What is a characteristic of protozoa?
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Study Notes
Cell Biology
Cell Structure
- Plasma Membrane: Semi-permeable membrane separating cell from environment
- Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance inside cell where metabolic reactions occur
- Cytosol: Liquid component of cytoplasm where metabolic reactions occur
- Organelles: Specialized structures within cell performing specific functions
- Nucleus: Controls cell growth, division, and contains genetic material (DNA)
Cell Organelles
- Mitochondria: Generates energy for cell through cellular respiration
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Synthesizes and transports proteins and lipids
- Ribosomes: Site of protein synthesis
- Lysosomes: Contains digestive enzymes to break down and recycle cellular waste
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies and packages proteins and lipids for transport
Cell Transport
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Passive Transport: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy
- Diffusion: Random movement of molecules to equalize concentration
- Osmosis: Movement of water molecules through selectively permeable membrane
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Active Transport: Movement of molecules against concentration gradient using energy
- Carrier Proteins: Transport molecules across membrane using ATP
Cell Division
- Mitosis: Process of cell division resulting in two daughter cells with same number of chromosomes as parent cell
- Meiosis: Process of cell division resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as parent cell
Cell Signaling
- Signal Transduction Pathways: Series of molecular interactions allowing cells to respond to stimuli
- Receptors: Proteins on cell surface or within cell that respond to signaling molecules
Cell Biology
Cell Structure
- Plasma Membrane: Semipermeable membrane separating cell from environment, regulating what enters and leaves the cell.
- Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance inside cell where metabolic reactions occur, maintaining cellular shape and provides mechanical support.
- Cytosol: Liquid component of cytoplasm where metabolic reactions occur, making up about 70% of cell volume.
- Organelles: Specialized structures within cell performing specific functions, each with unique composition and function.
- Nucleus: Controls cell growth, division, and contains genetic material (DNA), serving as the cell's genetic library.
Cell Organelles
- Mitochondria: Generates energy for cell through cellular respiration, producing ATP through aerobic respiration or anaerobic respiration.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Synthesizes and transports proteins and lipids, with two types: rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).
- Ribosomes: Site of protein synthesis, reading messenger RNA (mRNA) to assemble amino acids into polypeptides.
- Lysosomes: Contains digestive enzymes to break down and recycle cellular waste, maintaining cellular cleanliness.
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies and packages proteins and lipids for transport, adding carbohydrates to form glycoproteins and lipids to form lipoproteins.
Cell Transport
-
Passive Transport: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy, driven by kinetic energy and concentration gradient.
- Diffusion: Random movement of molecules to equalize concentration, increasing entropy and disorder.
- Osmosis: Movement of water molecules through selectively permeable membrane, equalizing solute concentrations.
-
Active Transport: Movement of molecules against concentration gradient using energy, requiring ATP or other energy sources.
- Carrier Proteins: Transport molecules across membrane using ATP, often involving specific binding and conformational changes.
Cell Division
- Mitosis: Process of cell division resulting in two daughter cells with same number of chromosomes as parent cell, maintaining genetic consistency.
- Meiosis: Process of cell division resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as parent cell, shuffling genetic information.
Cell Signaling
- Signal Transduction Pathways: Series of molecular interactions allowing cells to respond to stimuli, involving receptors, signaling molecules, and response elements.
- Receptors: Proteins on cell surface or within cell that respond to signaling molecules, recognizing specific ligands or signals.
Microorganisms
Viruses
- Definition: Small, infectious particles that replicate inside cells of living organisms
-
Characteristics:
- Not considered living cells
- Composed of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat
- Can only replicate inside host cells
- Types: DNA viruses (e.g., herpesvirus, poxvirus) and RNA viruses (e.g., influenza virus, HIV)
- Infection process: Attachment to host cell, penetration of host cell membrane, uncoating of viral genome, replication of viral genome, and assembly and release of new viral particles
Bacteria
- Definition: Single-celled, prokaryotic microorganisms that lack a true nucleus
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Characteristics:
- Cell wall composed of peptidoglycan (also known as murein)
- Genetic material is a single circular chromosome
- Can be autotrophic (produce own food) or heterotrophic (obtain food from environment)
- Types: Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus, Bacillus) and Gram-negative (e.g., Escherichia, Pseudomonas)
- Importance: Decomposition and nutrient cycling, food production (e.g., yogurt, cheese), and human health (e.g., gut microbiome)
Fungi
- Definition: Eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that obtain food by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships
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Characteristics:
- Cell wall composed of chitin
- Multicellular or single-celled (e.g., yeast)
- Can form mycorrhizal relationships with plants
- Types: Mushrooms (e.g., Agaricus, Boletus), Molds (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium), and Yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces)
- Importance: Decomposition and nutrient cycling, food production (e.g., bread, wine), and medicine (e.g., antibiotics, vaccines)
Protozoa
- Definition: Single-celled, eukaryotic microorganisms that feed on bacteria, other microorganisms, or organic matter
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Characteristics:
- Motile (capable of movement)
- Feed using pseudopodia (e.g., Amoeba) or flagella (e.g., Giardia)
- Can form cysts for survival
- Types: Amoebas (e.g., Amoeba proteus), Flagellates (e.g., Giardia, Trichomonas), and Ciliates (e.g., Paramecium)
- Importance: Decomposition and nutrient cycling, human health (e.g., intestinal parasites)
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Test your knowledge of cell biology, including the structure and functions of cell components such as the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles.