Cell Structure short answer

Study Notes

Cell Structure

Plasma membrane: semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell, regulating what enters and leaves
Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes occur
Nucleus: control center of the cell, containing DNA
Mitochondria: organelles responsible for generating energy for the cell through cellular respiration
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis and transport
Ribosomes: small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm, responsible for protein synthesis
Lysosomes: membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes, responsible for breaking down and recycling cellular waste and foreign substances
Golgi apparatus: complex of flattened sacs and tubules involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging

Cell Types

Prokaryotic cells: lack a true nucleus, typically small and simple in structure (e.g., bacteria)
Eukaryotic cells: have a true nucleus, typically larger and more complex in structure (e.g., plants, animals, fungi)

Cell Functions

Metabolism: chemical reactions that occur within the cell to maintain homeostasis and sustain life
Growth and development: cells grow, divide, and differentiate to form tissues and organs
Response to stimuli: cells respond to changes in their environment, such as light, temperature, and touch
Reproduction: cells divide to produce new cells, either through mitosis or meiosis

Cell Division

Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, occurs in gamete production

Cellular Transport

Passive transport: movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without energy input (e.g., diffusion, osmosis)
Active transport: movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration with energy input (e.g., carrier proteins, pumps)

Cell Structure

Plasma membrane: regulates what enters and leaves the cell, semi-permeable
Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance where metabolic processes occur, inside the cell
Nucleus: control center, contains DNA
Mitochondria: generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): involved in protein synthesis and transport, network of membranous tubules and cisternae
Ribosomes: responsible for protein synthesis, small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm
Lysosomes: break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances, membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes
Golgi apparatus: involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging, complex of flattened sacs and tubules

Cell Types

Prokaryotic cells: lack true nucleus, small and simple in structure, e.g., bacteria
Eukaryotic cells: have true nucleus, larger and more complex in structure, e.g., plants, animals, fungi

Cell Functions

Metabolism: maintain homeostasis and sustain life, chemical reactions within the cell
Growth and development: cells grow, divide, and differentiate to form tissues and organs
Response to stimuli: cells respond to environmental changes, e.g., light, temperature, touch
Reproduction: cells divide to produce new cells, either through mitosis or meiosis

Cell Division

Mitosis: results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
Meiosis: results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, occurs in gamete production

Cellular Transport

Passive transport: movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy input, e.g., diffusion, osmosis
Active transport: movement of molecules from low to high concentration with energy input, e.g., carrier proteins, pumps

Description

Test your knowledge of the components that make up a cell, including the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and more. Identify the functions of each organelle and their importance in cellular processes.