Cell Biology Overview

Study Notes

Cell Biology

Cells are the basic units of life, exhibiting a wide range of structures and functions.
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Examples include bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts. Examples include plant and animal cells.
Cellular structures perform specific functions: e.g., the nucleus contains DNA, ribosomes synthesize proteins, mitochondria generate ATP.
Cell membranes are selectively permeable, controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
Diffusion, osmosis, and active transport are mechanisms for substance movement across cell membranes.
Specialized cells are adapted for specific functions through structural and functional differences. e.g., nerve cells have long extensions for rapid signaling.

Organisation

Organisms are organized into levels, from cells to organisms, with each level exhibiting emergent properties that arise from the interaction of components at the lower levels.
Tissues are groups of similar cells performing a similar function.
Organs are groups of tissues working together to perform specific functions to achieve a particular result within an organism.
Organ systems are groups of organs working together to perform specific functions, e.g., the circulatory system.
Organisms exhibit different levels of complexity, from unicellular to multicellular, with different modes of cellular organization depending on their complexity.
Organisms have specific organelles and functions that achieve a particular end-result, e.g., plants utilize chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Infection and Response

Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.
Immune systems defend against pathogens through various mechanisms.
Non-specific defenses, like skin and phagocytosis, provide a general defense against pathogens.
Specific defenses, involving antibodies, lymphocytes (B and T cells) and the immune response, eliminate pathogens and provide lasting immunity.
Vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies without causing the disease.
Antigens are molecules that trigger an immune response. Antibodies bind to specific antigens.
The inflammatory response is a localized response to tissue damage or infection, characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
Understanding the immune response is crucial for developing effective treatments and preventive measures against infectious diseases.

Bioenergetics

Organisms need energy for life processes like growth, reproduction, and movement.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants capture light energy and convert it to chemical energy in the form of glucose (a sugar).
Respiration is the process by which organisms break down glucose to release energy in the form of ATP.
Aerobic respiration requires oxygen and produces more ATP than anaerobic respiration (which doesn't require oxygen).
Metabolic pathways involve multiple enzyme-catalysed reactions that either build up (anabolism) or break down (catabolism) molecules.
Energy transfer occurs in cells in the form of ATP, a molecule that provides energy for various cellular processes.
Energy transformations during photosynthesis and respiration illustrate the flow of energy through ecosystems.
Organisms need a continuous supply of energy to maintain their bodies and to carry out their life processes.

Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in cell biology, focusing on the structures and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It explores cellular organization, membrane permeability, and mechanisms of transport such as diffusion and osmosis. Test your understanding of specialized cells and their adaptations.