Cell Structure and Function

Study Notes

Basic structural and functional units of life
Consist of:
- Cell membrane (plasma membrane)
- Cytoplasm
- Genetic material (DNA or RNA)
Cell types:
- Prokaryotic cells (no nucleus)
- Eukaryotic cells (nucleus present)

Carbohydrates:
- Monosaccharides (e.g. glucose)
- Polysaccharides (e.g. starch, cellulose)
Proteins:
- Amino acid building blocks
- Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures
Lipids:
- Fats and oils
- Phospholipids (component of cell membranes)
Nucleic acids:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
- RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Metabolism:
- Catabolism (breakdown of molecules)
- Anabolism (synthesis of molecules)
Photosynthesis:
- Light-dependent reactions
- Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)
Cellular respiration:
- Aerobic respiration (oxygen present)
- Anaerobic respiration (oxygen absent)

Mendelian genetics:
- Laws of inheritance (segregation, independent assortment, dominance)
- Punnett squares
DNA replication:
- Semi-conservative model
- Leading and lagging strands
Gene expression:
- Transcription (DNA to RNA)
- Translation (RNA to protein)

Mechanisms of evolution:
- Natural selection
- Genetic drift
- Mutation
- Gene flow
Types of evolution:
- Microevolution (within a population)
- Macroevolution (between species)
Evidence for evolution:
- Fossil record
- Comparative anatomy
- Molecular biology

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life
Cell membrane (plasma membrane) regulates what enters and leaves the cell
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where metabolic processes occur
Genetic material (DNA or RNA) contains instructions for cell growth and function
Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus that stores genetic material

Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, generating energy for the cell
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in protein synthesis, transport, and storage
Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, reading mRNA sequences
Lysosomes break down cellular waste and foreign substances using digestive enzymes
Golgi apparatus modifies and transports proteins and lipids

Monosaccharides (e.g. glucose) are simple sugars, the building blocks of carbohydrates
Polysaccharides (e.g. starch, cellulose) are complex carbohydrates formed by monosaccharide bonds
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which have primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures
Fats and oils are types of lipids, with phospholipids being a key component of cell membranes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are nucleic acids that store genetic information

Metabolism involves catabolism (breakdown of molecules) and anabolism (synthesis of molecules)
Photosynthesis occurs in two stages: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)
Cellular respiration can occur aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen)

Mendelian genetics explains how traits are inherited, following laws of segregation, independent assortment, and dominance
Punnett squares predict the probability of certain traits being passed down
DNA replication occurs semi-conservatively, with leading and lagging strands
Gene expression involves transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein)

Mechanisms of evolution include natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow
Microevolution occurs within a population, while macroevolution occurs between species
Evidence for evolution is found in the fossil record, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology