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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
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 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?
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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?
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What is the function of the nucleus in a cell?
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What is a characteristic of viruses?
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What is a characteristic of bacteria?
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What is a type of fungi?
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What is the function of protozoa in the ecosystem?
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What is a characteristic of viruses in the infection process?
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What is a type of bacteria?
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What is a characteristic of fungi?
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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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Description
Test your knowledge of cell biology, including the structure and functions of cell components such as the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles.
