Cellular Structure Quiz

Cellular Structure

• Plasma Membrane: semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place
• Nucleus: control center of the cell where DNA is stored
• 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 where protein synthesis occurs
• Lysosomes: membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes that break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances
• Golgi Apparatus: complex of flattened sacs and tubules involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging

Cellular Functions

• Metabolism: process by which cells convert energy and nutrients into the components that make up living organisms
• Photosynthesis: process by which cells convert light energy into chemical energy (in plants and some microorganisms)
• Cell Division: process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells (mitosis) or four daughter cells (meiosis)
• Cell Signaling: process by which cells communicate with each other through signaling molecules
• Cell Adhesion: process by which cells stick together to form tissues and organs

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic Cells: lack a true nucleus and are typically small and simple in structure (bacteria)
• Eukaryotic Cells: have a true nucleus and are typically larger and more complex in structure (plants, animals, fungi, protists)
• Stem Cells: undifferentiated cells that have the ability to develop into different cell types
• Differentiated Cells: specialized cells that have a specific function in the body (e.g. nerve cells, muscle cells)

Cellular Structure

• Plasma membrane is semi-permeable, separating the cell from its environment and regulating the flow of substances in and out.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance where metabolic processes take place, and it's composed of water, salts, sugars, and various organelles.
• Nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing most of the cell's genetic material in the form of DNA.
• Mitochondria are organelles responsible for generating energy for the cell through cellular respiration, producing ATP as a byproduct.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is a network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis, modification, and transport, with two types: rough ER (with ribosomes) and smooth ER (without ribosomes).
• Ribosomes are small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm where protein synthesis occurs, and they can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to the ER.
• Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes that break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances, maintaining cellular homeostasis.
• Golgi Apparatus is a complex of flattened sacs and tubules involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging, and plays a key role in cellular secretion.

Cellular Functions

• Metabolism involves the breakdown and synthesis of organic molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, to maintain cellular homeostasis and energy production.
• Photosynthesis is the process by which cells convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen as byproducts, occurring in chloroplasts of plant cells and some microorganisms.
• Cell Division is the process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells (mitosis) or four daughter cells (meiosis), ensuring the transmission of genetic material from one generation to the next.
• Cell Signaling involves the transmission and reception of signals through signaling molecules, allowing cells to communicate and respond to their environment.
• Cell Adhesion is the process by which cells stick together to form tissues and organs, maintaining tissue structure and function.

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic Cells lack a true nucleus and are typically small and simple in structure, with a single circular chromosome and no membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of bacteria.
• Eukaryotic Cells have a true nucleus and are typically larger and more complex in structure, with linear chromosomes and membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
• Stem Cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to develop into different cell types, playing a key role in development, growth, and tissue repair.
• Differentiated Cells are specialized cells that have a specific function in the body, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells, resulting from the process of cell differentiation.

Neutralization Reactions

• Acid-base reaction that forms salt and water
• General equation: H+ donor + OH- acceptor → Salt + Water
• Example: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
• Exothermic reaction, releasing heat energy
• Important in pH regulation, wastewater treatment, and production of soaps and detergents

Acid Properties

• Strong Acids: completely dissociate in water, producing H+ ions
  • Examples: HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, HClO4
  • High dissociation constants (Ka)
• Weak Acids: partially dissociate in water, producing H+ ions
  • Examples: CH3COOH, HCO3-, HCN
  • Low dissociation constants (Ka)

Base Properties

• Strong Bases: completely dissociate in water, producing OH- ions
  • Examples: NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)2
  • High dissociation constants (Kb)
• Weak Bases: partially dissociate in water, producing OH- ions
  • Examples: NH3, CH3NH2
  • Low dissociation constants (Kb)

Salts in Chemical Reactions

• Salts can form through:
  • Neutralization reactions: acid-base reactions producing salts
  • Precipitation reactions: salts precipitating out of solution
• Salts can participate in:
  • Redox reactions: oxidation-reduction reactions
  • Hydrolysis reactions: reacting with water to form acids or bases
• Salts have industrial applications in:
  • Paper, dye, and pharmaceutical production
  • Wastewater treatment and pollution control
  • Food preservation and preparation