Cell Biology Quiz: Golgi Apparatus and More

The minimum distance between two objects that can be seen as separate entities.

The process of breaking up cells and separating their components, especially organelles, to study their structure and function.

The process of breaking open cells to release their contents.

The process of separating components based on density using a centrifuge.

A solution that maintains a stable pH and water potential, preventing damage to organelles during cell fractionation.

The fluid containing organelles after homogenization.

The fluid on top after centrifugation, containing lighter organelles.

The heavier organelles that settle at the bottom after centrifugation.

The ability of a microscope to distinguish between two closely spaced objects as separate entities.

A type of electron microscope that uses a beam of electrons to illuminate a thin specimen, creating an image on a screen.

A type of electron microscope that uses a beam of electrons that scans the surface of a specimen, creating a 3D image.

A limitation of the TEM where living specimens can't be observed due to the vacuum environment required for the electron beam.

A limitation of the TEM where the specimens must be extremely thin to allow electrons to pass through.

A limitation of the TEM where artefacts, structures that aren't part of the specimen, can appear due to the preparation process.

A technique to overcome the 2-D limitation of TEM by taking a series of thin sections of the specimen to create a 3-D image.

The wavelength of electrons is much shorter than the wavelength of light, which allows TEM to achieve higher resolving power.

SEM beams electrons across the surface of a specimen, while TEM sends electrons through the specimen. SEM doesn't require extremely thin samples like TEM.

SEM and TEM both require a near-vacuum environment to ensure the electrons travel in a straight path and don't collide with air molecules.

SEM has a resolution of around 20 nm, which is better than a light microscope but lower than TEM.

The resolving power of a microscope determines the smallest distance between two objects that can be distinguished as separate. With a resolution of around 100 µm, light microscopes can resolve plant cells, bacteria, and viruses. SEM, with a resolution of around 20 nm, can resolve even smaller structures like viruses and actin molecules, but not DNA molecules.

The control center of the eukaryotic cell, directing protein synthesis and containing the cell's DNA and chromosomes.

A double membrane surrounding the nucleus, controlling the passage of materials in and out of the nucleus.

Tiny holes in the nuclear envelope that allow the passage of large molecules like mRNA out of the nucleus.

A small spherical region within the nucleoplasm that manufactures rRNA and assembles ribosomes.

Rod-shaped organelles responsible for cellular respiration, generating energy for the cell.

The folded inner membrane of mitochondria, increasing surface area for ATP production.

Organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

A rigid outer layer found in plant, algae, and fungal cells that provides structural support and protection.

The matrix is the fluid-filled space inside mitochondria, containing essential components for protein synthesis and respiration.

Mitochondria are powerhouses responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of cells, through aerobic respiration.

Grana are stacks of thylakoids within chloroplasts where chlorophyll is found, and the first stage of photosynthesis (light absorption) occurs.

The stacked, flattened membrane sacs within chloroplasts where chlorophyll and other components of photosynthesis are organized.

The fluid-filled space between the outer and inner membranes of chloroplasts, containing enzymes for the second stage of photosynthesis.

A complex network of interconnected membranes that extends throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, including the outer membrane of the nucleus.

A type of ER with ribosomes attached, involved in protein synthesis and transport.

A type of ER without ribosomes, involved in lipid and carbohydrate synthesis and transport.

The inner membrane of a mitochondrion is folded into extensions called cristae, which increase the surface area for the attachment of enzymes and other proteins involved in respiration.

The matrix of a mitochondrion is the fluid-filled space enclosed by the inner membrane, containing DNA, ribosomes, and proteins involved in controlling protein production. Many enzymes involved in respiration are found in the matrix.

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that contain chlorophyll and are responsible for carrying out photosynthesis. They are typically disc-shaped and have a double membrane surrounding them, called the chloroplast envelope.

Stacks of disc-like thylakoids within a chloroplast are called grana. They contain chlorophyll, the pigment that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. The grana are the sites where the first stage of photosynthesis takes place—light absorption.

The stroma is the fluid-filled matrix within a chloroplast, surrounding the grana, where the second stage of photosynthesis occurs—sugar synthesis. It also contains other structures like starch grains.

A stack of flattened membrane sacs called cisternae involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids.

The Golgi apparatus adds carbohydrate chains to proteins, creating glycoproteins, which are important for cell signaling and recognition.

Small, rounded, hollow structures that bud off from the Golgi cisternae, transporting modified proteins and lipids to different parts of the cell or outside the cell.

The Golgi apparatus is particularly well-developed in cells that produce and secrete large amounts of substances, like pancreatic cells that release digestive enzymes.

The Golgi plays a crucial role in forming lysosomes, organelles responsible for breaking down waste materials in the cell.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells that contain hydrolytic enzymes. These enzymes break down various materials, including worn-out organelles, engulfed bacteria, and cellular debris.

They are responsible for breaking down materials ingested by phagocytic cells such as white blood cells that engulf bacteria.

Ribosomes are small, granular structures found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They are the sites of protein synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into polypeptides following instructions from mRNA.

Plant cell walls are rigid structures that provide structural support and protection to plant cells. They are composed of cellulose microfibrils embedded in a matrix of other polysaccharides.

The cell wall provides structural integrity to plant cells, preventing them from bursting due to the osmotic pressure of water entering the cell.

Fluid-filled sacs within cells, often large and central in plants. They store water, nutrients, and waste products, contributing to cell turgidity and potentially storing pigments.

A single membrane surrounding the plant vacuole, controlling the movement of substances in and out of the vacuole.

The process of relating the structure of a cell's organelles to their functions, understanding how their sizes and numbers reflect their roles.

Stacks of thylakoids within chloroplasts, where chlorophyll is found and the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis occurs.