Cell Structure and Organelles

Study Notes

Cell Structure

Plasma membrane: phospholipid bilayer that separates the cell from its environment
Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes occur
Cytosol: liquid component of cytoplasm where many metabolic reactions take place
Organelles: specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions
- Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
- Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): involved in protein synthesis and transport
- Golgi apparatus: modifies and packages proteins for transport
- Lysosomes: contains digestive enzymes that break down and recycle cellular waste
- Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis

Cellular Processes

Cellular respiration: process of generating energy for the cell through the breakdown of glucose
- Glycolysis: breakdown of glucose in cytoplasm
- Citric acid cycle: breakdown of glucose in mitochondria
- Oxidative phosphorylation: generation of ATP in mitochondria
Photosynthesis: process of generating energy for the cell through the conversion of light energy
Protein synthesis: process of creating proteins through the translation of mRNA
Cell signaling: process of communicating between cells through signaling pathways

Cell Division

Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
- Interphase: preparation phase before mitosis
- Prophase: condensation of chromosomes and breakdown of nuclear envelope
- Metaphase: alignment of chromosomes at the center of the cell
- Anaphase: separation of chromosomes
- Telophase: reconstruction of nuclear envelope
Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell
- Meiosis I: reduction of chromosome number
- Meiosis II: separation of chromosomes

Cell Transport

Passive transport: movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy input
- Diffusion: random movement of molecules
- Osmosis: movement of water molecules
Active transport: movement of molecules from low to high concentration with energy input
- Carrier proteins: transport molecules across the plasma membrane
- Pumps: transport molecules against their concentration gradient

Cell Structure

Plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer that separates the cell from its environment.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes occur.
Cytosol is the liquid component of cytoplasm where many metabolic reactions take place.
Organelles are specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions.

Organelles

Nucleus contains genetic material (DNA).
Mitochondria generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in protein synthesis and transport.
Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins for transport.
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down and recycle cellular waste.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis.

Cellular Processes

Cellular respiration is the process of generating energy for the cell through the breakdown of glucose.

Cellular Respiration

Glycolysis is the breakdown of glucose in the cytoplasm.
Citric acid cycle is the breakdown of glucose in the mitochondria.
Oxidative phosphorylation is the generation of ATP in the mitochondria.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process of generating energy for the cell through the conversion of light energy.

Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process of creating proteins through the translation of mRNA.

Cell Signaling

Cell signaling is the process of communicating between cells through signaling pathways.

Cell Division

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Mitosis

Interphase is the preparation phase before mitosis.
Prophase is the condensation of chromosomes and breakdown of the nuclear envelope.
Metaphase is the alignment of chromosomes at the center of the cell.
Anaphase is the separation of chromosomes.
Telophase is the reconstruction of the nuclear envelope.

Meiosis

Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Meiosis

Meiosis I is the reduction of chromosome number.
Meiosis II is the separation of chromosomes.

Cell Transport

Passive transport is the movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy input.

Passive Transport

Diffusion is the random movement of molecules.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules.

Active Transport

Active transport is the movement of molecules from low to high concentration with energy input.
Carrier proteins transport molecules across the plasma membrane.
Pumps transport molecules against their concentration gradient.

Description

This quiz covers the components of a cell, including the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, cytosol, and various organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria. Test your knowledge of cell structure and function!