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Cell Biology: Cell Cortex and Its Functions

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Questions and Answers

What is the main component of the cortex in human red blood cells?

Myosin
Spectrin (correct)
Actin
Myosin and actin

What is the main function of the cortex in red blood cells?

To change their shape and move
To selectively take up materials from their environment
To provide mechanical strength as they are pumped through blood vessels (correct)
To restrain the diffusion of proteins within the plasma membrane

What is the main characteristic of lipids in terms of solubility?

They are more soluble in organic solvents than in water (correct)
They are highly soluble in water
They are equally soluble in both organic and water solvents
They are insoluble in all solvents

What is the function of the attachment proteins in the cortex of red blood cells?

To bind to transmembrane proteins (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cell cortex in animal cells?

To maintain the cell's shape and mechanical properties (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the cortex of other cells compared to red blood cells?

It is more complex and has additional functions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the cortex of human red blood cells?

Spectrin dimers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of actin in the cortex of red blood cells?

It forms a mesh with spectrin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the spectrin network in red blood cells?

To maintain the cell's shape and stability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of transmembrane proteins in the plasma membrane?

To attach the cell cortex to the plasma membrane (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cell wall in plants, yeasts, and bacteria?

To maintain the cell's shape and mechanical properties (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the thickness of a single cell membrane relative to the thickness of a sheet of paper?

It is 10,000 times thinner (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the plasma membrane in relation to the cortex?

It is attached to the cortex by attachment proteins (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of genetic alterations that affect the structure of spectrin in mice and humans?

Anemia and production of spherical, fragile red blood cells (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of the cortex in most animal cells?

Actin (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the attachment proteins in the spectrin network?

To link spectrin to specific transmembrane proteins (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the red blood cells in individuals with an abnormal spectrin structure?

Spherical (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the meshwork in the cortex of red blood cells?

Spectrin tetramers (B) Signup and view all the answers

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