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What is the main function of cells in living organisms?
What is the main function of cells in living organisms?
The main function of cells is to maintain proper homeostasis in the organism.
What are the two main types of cells based on their structure?
What are the two main types of cells based on their structure?
The two main types of cells are prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
What separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in a cell?
What separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in a cell?
The nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane.
What is the composition of the cell membrane in terms of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates?
What is the composition of the cell membrane in terms of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates?
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Describe the structure of the cell membrane.
Describe the structure of the cell membrane.
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What roles do integral and peripheral membrane proteins play in the cell membrane?
What roles do integral and peripheral membrane proteins play in the cell membrane?
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What is meant by the term 'homeostasis' as it relates to cell function?
What is meant by the term 'homeostasis' as it relates to cell function?
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What is the average thickness of the cell membrane?
What is the average thickness of the cell membrane?
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Describe the arrangement of phospholipid molecules in the lipid layer and the orientation of their ends.
Describe the arrangement of phospholipid molecules in the lipid layer and the orientation of their ends.
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What types of substances can pass through the lipid layer and why?
What types of substances can pass through the lipid layer and why?
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Differentiate between integral membrane proteins and peripheral proteins.
Differentiate between integral membrane proteins and peripheral proteins.
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What role does cholesterol play in the cell membrane?
What role does cholesterol play in the cell membrane?
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Explain the significance of carbohydrates in the cell membrane.
Explain the significance of carbohydrates in the cell membrane.
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What is endocytosis and how does it function in cellular transport?
What is endocytosis and how does it function in cellular transport?
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Describe how the lipid layer's semi-permeability affects molecule transport.
Describe how the lipid layer's semi-permeability affects molecule transport.
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How do glycoproteins and glycolipids contribute to cell membrane function?
How do glycoproteins and glycolipids contribute to cell membrane function?
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What role does clathrin play in endocytosis?
What role does clathrin play in endocytosis?
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Describe the process of phagocytosis and its significance.
Describe the process of phagocytosis and its significance.
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What is the primary function of pinocytosis?
What is the primary function of pinocytosis?
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Differentiate between passive transport and active transport.
Differentiate between passive transport and active transport.
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What is housed within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell?
What is housed within the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell?
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What structure forms around the centromere during cell division?
What structure forms around the centromere during cell division?
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Explain the role of histones in the organization of DNA.
Explain the role of histones in the organization of DNA.
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What processes occur within the nucleus during cell division?
What processes occur within the nucleus during cell division?
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What pH level do lysosomes operate at, and why is this significant?
What pH level do lysosomes operate at, and why is this significant?
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Describe the relationship between lysosomal storage disorders and hydrolase enzymes.
Describe the relationship between lysosomal storage disorders and hydrolase enzymes.
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What role do peroxisomes play in cellular metabolism, and how do they deal with hydrogen peroxide?
What role do peroxisomes play in cellular metabolism, and how do they deal with hydrogen peroxide?
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Explain the significance of plasmalogens, and where are they predominantly found?
Explain the significance of plasmalogens, and where are they predominantly found?
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What consequences arise from mutations associated with peroxisomes?
What consequences arise from mutations associated with peroxisomes?
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What is the primary role of the cristae in the inner mitochondrial membrane?
What is the primary role of the cristae in the inner mitochondrial membrane?
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Describe the fluid found inside the mitochondrial matrix.
Describe the fluid found inside the mitochondrial matrix.
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What types of molecules do transport vesicles carry, and where do they transport them?
What types of molecules do transport vesicles carry, and where do they transport them?
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What is the function of lysosomes within a cell?
What is the function of lysosomes within a cell?
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How do secretary vesicles contribute to cellular function?
How do secretary vesicles contribute to cellular function?
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What distinguishes the permeability of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes?
What distinguishes the permeability of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes?
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What role does the mitochondrial matrix play in programmed cell death?
What role does the mitochondrial matrix play in programmed cell death?
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Identify and explain the function of storage vesicles.
Identify and explain the function of storage vesicles.
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What is the primary function of rough endoplasmic reticulum?
What is the primary function of rough endoplasmic reticulum?
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How does smooth endoplasmic reticulum differ from rough endoplasmic reticulum in terms of structure?
How does smooth endoplasmic reticulum differ from rough endoplasmic reticulum in terms of structure?
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What role does the Golgi complex play in relation to proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum?
What role does the Golgi complex play in relation to proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum?
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Identify one important function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and explain its significance.
Identify one important function of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and explain its significance.
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What is the structure of mitochondria and why is it critical for cellular functions?
What is the structure of mitochondria and why is it critical for cellular functions?
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Describe the relationship between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus.
Describe the relationship between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus.
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What are the two main types of endoplasmic reticulum, and what distinguishes their functions?
What are the two main types of endoplasmic reticulum, and what distinguishes their functions?
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In what way do mitochondria contribute to the concept of endosymbiotic theory?
In what way do mitochondria contribute to the concept of endosymbiotic theory?
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Study Notes
Cell Structure and Cell Division
- Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of living matter
- They independently carry out life processes
- Their primary function is maintaining homeostasis in the organism
Functions of Cells
- Cells provide structural support to the body
- Cells take nutrients from food and convert them to energy
- Cells carry out specialized functions
Types of Cells
- Cells are categorized as prokaryotic and eukaryotic
- Prokaryotic cells are unicellular. Eukaryotic cells can be either unicellular or multicellular.
- Sizes of prokaryotic cells range from 0.2 to 2.0 µm in diameter whilst eukaryotic cells range from 10 to 100 µm in diameter.
- Prokaryotic cells have a simple cell wall. Eukaryotic cells have a complex cell wall.
- The nucleus is absent in prokaryotic cells but present in eukaryotic cells.
- Prokaryotic cells lack mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes. Eukaryotic cells have them.
- Prokaryotic cells may lack membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells have specialized organelles.
- Prokaryotic cells reproduce asexually by binary fission. Eukaryotic cells reproduce both asexually and sexually.
- Examples of prokaryotes are bacteria. Examples of eukaryotes are plant and animal cells.
Cell Structure
- Cells contain various microscopic structures (organelles) like intermediate filaments, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, nucleolus, chromatin, Golgi apparatus, Golgi vesicles, cytoplasm, mitochondria, plasma membrane, microtubules, centrosome, microfilaments, lysosomes, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, secretory vesicle, peroxisome, vacuole
Cell Membrane
- Also known as plasma membrane. Forms the outer covering of the cell
- It isolates the cell and maintains the internal environment through ion and nutrient transport
- Electron micrographs show a thin, invisible structure, sometimes folded into a brush border
- The average thickness of cell membrane is approximately 7.5 nanometers
- Composition:
- Lipids: 50-55%
- Proteins: 40-45%
- Carbohydrates: 5-10%
- Lipids in the cell membrane form a phospholipid bilayer
- Interspersed within this layer are integral and peripheral membrane proteins
- The membrane has two ends: a polar/hydrophilic (water-soluble) head end and a non-polar/hydrophobic (water-insoluble) tail end
- Phospholipid molecules have the hydrophilic ends facing away from each other which are in contact with aqueous solutions. Hydrophobic ends point opposite to each other
Cell Membrane Composition
- Hydrophilic head: Water-soluble, positive charge
- Hydrophobic tail: Water-insoluble, negative charge
- Protein and lipid molecules form the cell’s inner/outer layers
- The protein molecules are embedded in the polar group
Cell Membrane Functions
- The lipid layer is semi-permeable. Only fat-soluble substances (e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide, alcohol) can pass
- Water-soluble substances (e.g., glucose, urea, electrolytes) cannot pass through the membrane
Proteins in Cell Membrane
- Integral proteins traverse the cell membrane and form channels for the passage of hydrophilic substances (e.g., water, ions, monosaccharides, amino acids).
- Peripheral proteins are located on the inner or outer surface of the bilayer.
- Peripheral protein connects with intracellular cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix to maintain connections
Role of Cholesterol
- Cholesterol contributes to the membrane's density and fluidity
Role of Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates, as glycoproteins and glycolipids, form cell surface receptors and aid intercellular communication
Membrane Transport
- Cell membrane is selectively permeable to transport of molecules. Gases and steroids pass freely, others require specific mechanisms.
Types of Transport
- Endocytosis: Large molecules enter the cell via plasma membrane invagination.
- Exocytosis: Materials are expelled from the cell via vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane.
- Pinocytosis: Uptake of fluids and smaller molecules, mediated by pinocytic vesicles.
- Phagocytosis: A type of endocytosis where large molecules/cells (e.g., bacteria) are engulfed into a phagosome.
- Simple Diffusion: Molecules move down their concentration gradient
- Facilitated Diffusion: Molecules need a membrane protein for transport
- Active Transport: Molecules move against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP)
Nucleus
- The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells
- It houses the cell's genetic material, DNA, in the form of chromosomes
- Chromosomes are thread-like structures of packaged DNA and proteins.
- A typical chromosome has a centromere (middle) and telomeres (ends).
- A kinetochore forms around the centromere during cell division for chromosome attachment to mitotic spindle fibers
- Histones are proteins forming nucleosomes, wrapping the DNA. DNA is supercoiled multiple times to form a chromatin fiber
Nucleoplasm
- Nucleoplasm is the fluid within the nucleus that suspends components such as DNA, RNA, associated proteins, and enzymes.
- The nucleoplasm is compartmentalized by a double-layered nuclear membrane with pores, enabling communication and transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm .
Cytoplasm
- The gel-like substance inside the cell membrane, containing proteins, ions, enzymes, and various organelles
- It contains numerous organelles with specialized metabolic functions essential for maintaining homeostasis.
Organelles
- Mitochondria: The "powerhouses" of the cell; generate ATP (energy)
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network of membranes involved in synthesis and transport of molecules. Rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis. Smooth ER synthesizes lipids and detoxifies.
- Golgi Complex: Processes and packages proteins and lipids
- Lysosomes: Involved in intracellular digestion and recycling
- Peroxisomes: Involved in oxidation reactions, particularly breakdown of fatty acids and amino acids
- Centrosomes: Important in cell division; contains centrioles
Cytoskeleton
- Provides structural support and facilitates movement of organelles and cell structures
- Composed of intermediate filaments, microfilaments, and microtubules
Role of Mitochondria
- Generates energy
- The powerhouse of the cell
Role of ER
- Synthesis and transport of molecules within the cell
Role of Golgi Apparatus
- Processes the products from ER and packs them for cellular use or secretion into vesicles
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Test your knowledge on cell structure and function with this quiz. Explore key concepts such as cell membrane composition, protein roles, and the importance of homeostasis. Gather a deeper understanding of cellular transport and membrane dynamics.