Cell Biology Basics

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the smallest living unit in all organisms?

Molecule

Cell (correct)

Organ

Tissue

Who introduced the concept that all living things are made of cells?

Charles Darwin

Gregor Mendel

Schleiden and Schwann (correct)

Rudolf Virchow

What is a characteristic of prokaryotes?

Presence of chloroplasts

Presence of centrioles

Simple, unicellular (correct)

Complex, multicellular

What is the main difference between plant and animal cells in terms of organelles?

Plant cells have both chloroplasts and mitochondria, while animal cells have only mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cytosol?

Semifluid substance that supports cellular organelles Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?

Presence of centrioles and centrosomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ribosomes?

Protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the concept that all cells come from pre-existing cells?

Rudolf Virchow Signup and view all the answers

Where does the detoxification of alcohol take place?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the site of photosynthesis in a cell?

Chloroplast Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Endoplasmic Reticulum?

Production and storage of proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the fluid mosaic model referring to?

Cell membrane structure Signup and view all the answers

Where does glycolysis take place?

Cytosol Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of mitochondria?

Aerobic respiration Signup and view all the answers

What is the component of the cell membrane that is hydrophilic?

Phosphate group head Signup and view all the answers

Where are ribosomes typically found?

Cytosol and outside of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

The presence of a nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the nuclear envelope?

To separate the nucleus from the cytoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for 'little organs' that perform various jobs inside cells?

Organelles Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of ribosomes?

To synthesize proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the region in prokaryotic cells where genetic material is found?

Nucleoid Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of plasmodesmata?

To connect two plant cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of peroxisomes?

To perform oxidative reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the component of the nuclear envelope?

Lipid bilayer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of microvilli?

To increase surface area for absorption Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of microtubules?

Tubulin Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cells would you expect to find the most lysosomes?

White blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of cilia?

To move materials on the cell surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of intermediate filaments?

To form the nuclear lamina Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of flagella?

To detect changes in temperature and pH Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of microfilaments?

To maintain cell shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of motor proteins?

To drive muscle contraction and transport proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the stroma in chloroplasts?

Fluid surrounding grana and site for dark reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

Sorts and packages materials into transport vesicles Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lysosomes?

Has hydrolytic enzymes that digest and break down biomolecules Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the cell wall?

Supports and protects the cell and helps resist external pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments in cells?

To maintain cell shape and internal organization Signup and view all the answers

What is autophagy?

The site for light-dependent reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is phagocytosis?

The process of cell engulfing another cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of cellulose?

Can't be digested by humans Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Theory

The cell is the smallest living unit in all organisms.
All living things are made of cells.
All cells come from pre-existing cells.

Types of Cells

Prokaryotes: simple, unicellular, and abundant; examples include bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotes: complex, multicellular, and diverse; examples include protists, plants, animals, and fungi.

Plant vs. Animal Cells

Plant cells: bigger in size, nucleus is centralized, have chloroplasts and mitochondria, and have a cell wall.
Animal cells: centrosomes, centrioles, and basal bodies are present; have mitochondria but no chloroplasts or cell walls.

Basic Features of All Cells

Plasma membrane
Semifluid substance: cytosol
Ribosomes (protein factory)
Chromosomes (gene carrier)

Organelles

Specialized structures that perform various jobs inside cells.
Examples: nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, chloroplasts, and peroxisomes.

Nucleus

Contains most of the cell's genes and is usually the most conspicuous organelle.
The nuclear envelope encloses the nucleus, separating it from the cytoplasm.
Nucleolus: where ribosomes are formed and RNA is synthesized.

Mitochondria

Performs aerobic respiration where energy (ATP) is obtained from food consumed and made available for the use of the cell.
Kreb's Cycle and Electron Transport Chain occur here.

Cytoplasm

Semi-fluid liquid that fills the cell and holds the components of a cell.
Cytosol: the part of the cytoplasm not taken up by organelles.

Cell Membrane

Has a structure known as the fluid mosaic model.
The phospholipid bilayer is composed of a phosphate group head (hydrophilic) and two fatty acid tails (hydrophobic).

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Helps with the production and storage of proteins and is where most membranes of the organelles come from.
Types: rough ER (covered in ribosomes), smooth ER (synthesizes lipids, carbohydrates, and steroid hormones).

Golgi Apparatus

Modifies product of the ER and manufactures certain macromolecules.
Sorts and packages materials into transport vesicles.

Lysosomes

Has hydrolytic enzymes that digest and break down biomolecules.
Works as the recycling facility of the cell.
Made by ER and Golgi.

Cell Wall

Supports and protects the cell and helps resist external pressure.
Made of cellulose in plants, chitin in fungi, and peptidoglycan in bacteria.

Cytoskeleton

Network of fibers that supports cells to maintain their shape and internal organization.
Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments in eukaryotic cells.

Microtubules

Thickest, hollow tube, made up of tubulin, maintains shape by compression, and cell motility.

Microfilaments

Maintains/changes shape by tension-bearing, intertwined actin, for muscle contraction and cell division.

Intermediate Filaments

Coiled fibrous proteins such as keratin, maintains shape by tension-bearing, found in only some animal cells.

Cell Modifications

Microvilli: brush/striated border on the surface of the cell, increases surface area for absorption.
Cilia: short hair-like structures that function in movements of materials, found on the cell surface.
Flagella: whip-like structure that allows the movement of cells, made up of microtubules.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Learn the fundamental principles of cell theory, types of cells, and basic features of cells, including organelles and their functions.