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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of facilitated diffusion?
In which direction does the net movement of water molecules occur during osmosis?
What is the primary difference between active transport and passive transport?
Which type of transport involves the engulfment of foreign substances from outside the cell to inside the cell?
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What is the primary function of carrier proteins in active transport?
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In which type of transport is energy required to move molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration?
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What is the primary function of vesicles formed during endocytosis?
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Which type of transport is involved in the movement of CO₂ into plant leaves?
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What is the primary function of receptor-mediated endocytosis?
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Which type of transport is involved in the movement of amino acids from the intestine to the blood?
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What is the main function of the cristae in the inner membrane of mitochondria?
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What is the purpose of the proton pumps in lysosomes?
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What is the role of mitochondrial DNA?
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What is the primary function of lysosomes?
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What is the purpose of peroxisomes in metabolic processes?
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What is the role of peroxisomes in photorespiration?
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What is the result of disrupted peroxisome function in genetic disorders like Zellweger syndrome?
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What is the location of the enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation?
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What is the main function of the Smooth ER?
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What is the cis-Golgi Network responsible for?
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What is the primary function of Mitochondria?
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What is the outer membrane of Mitochondria like?
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Where is the Golgi apparatus developed from?
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Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis, folding, and modification?
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What is the trans-Golgi Network responsible for?
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What is unique about the DNA in Mitochondria?
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What is the function of flagella in prokaryotic cells?
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What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
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How do prokaryotic cells reproduce?
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What contributes to the adaptability and survival of prokaryotic cells?
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What is the function of the nuclear envelope?
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What is the purpose of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
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What is the function of the nucleolus?
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What is a characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
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Study Notes
Cell Membrane
- The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane or plasmalemma, forming the outer protective layer of the cell.
- It maintains the cell's shape and size, and regulates exchange between the cell's interior and exterior.
Cell Membrane Structure
- The cell membrane is very thin (about 10 nm) and pliable.
- Its main constituents are lipids (40%), proteins (55%), and carbohydrates (5%).
- Lipids are arranged in a lipid bilayer, with two types: phospholipids and cholesterol.
- Phospholipids have a phosphate head (hydrophilic) and a lipid tail (hydrophobic), and are freely moving along the plane of the layer, making the membrane fluid.
Lipid Components
- Cholesterol molecules are dissolved in the lipid bilayer, controlling the membrane's fluidity.
- At modest concentrations, cholesterol decreases fluidity, while at high concentrations, it increases fluidity.
Permeability of Lipid Bilayer
- The lipid bilayer is semi-permeable, allowing lipid-soluble substances to pass through.
- Water, water-soluble substances, and large molecules cannot pass through.
Protein Components
- Proteins are mostly in the form of glycoproteins.
- There are two types of membrane proteins: integral membrane proteins (tightly integrated with lipid bilayer) and peripheral membrane proteins (loosely attached to lipids).
- Membrane proteins serve as transport proteins, allowing passage of water and water-soluble substances.
- Other functions of membrane proteins include:
- Receiving signals (receptor proteins)
- Intracellular signaling (second messenger)
- Enzyme functions
- Adhesion molecules for cell attachment or cell-to-cell contact
- Submembrane cytoskeleton for strength and resilience
- Antigen functions
Carbohydrate Components
- Most carbohydrates are in combination with proteins and lipids in the form of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
- Carbohydrates are usually found on the outer side of the cell, forming a glycocalyx.
- Functions of carbohydrates include:
- Making the outer surface of the cell electronegative
- Allowing neighbor cells to attach to each other through glycocalyx
- Involvement in immune reactions
Cell Membrane Transport
Passive Transport / Diffusion
- Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
- Examples: amino acid movement from intestine to blood, and CO₂ into plant leaves.
- There are two types of diffusion:
- Simple diffusion: molecules pass through the concentration gradient in a solution across a semipermeable membrane.
- Facilitated diffusion: transport of substances with the help of a transport protein molecule.
Passive Transport / Osmosis
- Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules through the cell membrane from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential.
- Examples: absorption in plant roots and small intestine in animals.
Active Transport / Carrier Protein
- Active transport is the movement of molecules from low concentration to high concentration, requiring energy.
- It is carried out by selective protein carriers, such as the sodium-potassium ion pump.
Active Transport / Vesicular Transport
- There are two types of vesicular transport:
- Endocytosis: engulfing foreign substances from outside the cell to inside the cell, requiring energy.
- Pinocytosis: engulfing small particles or molecules (e.g. protein, Vitamin B12, glycoprotein).
- Phagocytosis: engulfing large particles or cells (e.g. bacteria, degenerating tissue).
- Receptor-mediated endocytosis (clathrin-mediated).
- Exocytosis: expelling material into the extracellular space, such as hormonal secretion by endocrine glands.
- Endocytosis: engulfing foreign substances from outside the cell to inside the cell, requiring energy.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Involved in protein synthesis, folding, and modification
- Rough ER has ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis
- Smooth ER lacks ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium ion storage
- ER dysfunction linked to various neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis)
Golgi Apparatus
- A stack of flattened membrane sacs called cisternae
- Involved in processing, sorting, and packaging of proteins and lipids from the ER
- Has three main regions: cis-Golgi network, medial Golgi, and trans-Golgi network
Mitochondria
- Powerhouses of the cell, generating ATP through cellular respiration
- Double membrane structure with inner membrane folded into cristae, increasing surface area for ATP production
- Contain their own DNA (mitochondrial DNA)
- Matrix contains enzymes involved in citric acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation
Lysosomes
- Membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes
- Involved in intracellular digestion and recycling of cellular components
- Acidic interior optimal for enzyme activity
- Break down macromolecules into smaller components
Peroxisomes
- Involved in fatty acid breakdown, detoxification, and photorespiration in plants
- Generate hydrogen peroxide, maintaining a delicate balance to prevent cellular damage
- Dysfunction linked to genetic disorders like Zellweger syndrome
Eukaryotic Characteristics
- Possess a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists (e.g., paramecium, chlamydia, red algae)
- More complex than prokaryotic cells
Nucleus
- Well-defined nucleus housing genetic material
- Enclosed by a double membrane (nuclear envelope) with nuclear pores
- Genetic material organized into linear chromosomes made up of DNA and proteins
Nucleus Components
- Nuclear envelope separates nucleus from cytoplasm
- Nucleoplasm contains chromatin, nucleolus, and proteins involved in DNA replication and RNA processing
- Chromatin is a complex of DNA, histone proteins, and other proteins that make up chromosomes
- Nucleolus is a region for rRNA synthesis and ribosome assembly
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Description
Learn about the cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, which serves as the outer protective layer of a cell. Discover its structure, constituents, and functions.