Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells?

Providing support and enabling movement (correct)

Storage of nutrients

Facilitating endocytosis

Regulating metabolic processes

In what type of cells are microtubules primarily found?

Plant cells

Animal cells (correct)

Fungal cells

Bacterial cells

Which of the following best describes the role of vacuoles in plant cells?

Store nutrients, ions, water, and waste materials (correct)

Help in cell division during mitosis

Function as a defense mechanism against predators

Transport materials to and from the Golgi apparatus

What distinguishes flagella from cilia?

Flagella are elongated and facilitate locomotion in liquid environments Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of endosomes within a cell?

Capturing and distributing materials for degradation or recycling Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)?

Synthesis and modification of proteins Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of organelles within a cell?

They facilitate specific jobs or functions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the Golgi apparatus?

Acts as the shipping center of the cell Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cell lacks a defined nucleus?

Prokaryotic cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of mitochondria within a cell?

Energy generation through cellular respiration Signup and view all the answers

Which function is exclusive to chloroplasts?

Photosynthesis and glucose production Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily involved in protein synthesis?

Ribosome Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

It modifies and packages proteins for secretion Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is primarily involved in cellular digestion?

Lysosomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cells is characterized by having a rigid cell wall?

Plant cell Signup and view all the answers

What roles do peroxisomes play in a cell?

Detoxification and breakdown of hydrogen peroxide Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of maintaining cellular shape?

Enabling cellular movement and division Signup and view all the answers

What component of a cell is primarily responsible for energy supply?

Mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

Defined nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a function of the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)?

Protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type is heterotrophic and has a chitin cell wall?

Fungal cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

Regulating the passage of substances Signup and view all the answers

In plant cells, where is the cell membrane located?

Against the cell wall Signup and view all the answers

What is contained within the nucleolus?

RNA and protein Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is responsible for synthesizing protein molecules?

Ribosomes Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the endoplasmic reticulum?

It is a network of interconnected membranes Signup and view all the answers

What substance occupies the intracellular space between the cell membrane and the nucleus?

Hyaloplasm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organelles serves as the control center of the cell?

Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What role do proteins play in the cell?

Build and repair cellular structures Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cytoskeleton

Composed of protein filaments: microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.
Provides structural support and enables movement in eukaryotic cells.

Flagella and Cilia

Flagella are elongated structures enabling locomotion in liquid; cilia are shorter and create coordinated flows on the cell surface.

Centrosomes

Organize spindle fibers during cell division in mitosis and meiosis.
Present in animal cells.

Microtubules

Serve as structural components and are crucial during cell division.
Exclusively found in animal cells.

Storage and Transportation

Manage nutrients, eliminate waste, and regulate metabolic processes.

Vacuoles

Membrane-bound organelles in plant and some animal cells.
Store nutrients, water, ions, and waste while regulating turgor pressure and osmotic balance.
Involved in substance digestion and serve as a defense mechanism by containing toxins.

Vesicles and Endosomes

Membranous structures that transport specific materials between organelles and cell membranes.
Vesicles transport materials from endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus.
Endosomes capture and distribute materials for degradation, recycling, or incorporation into metabolic pathways.

Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant cells have a cell wall; animal cells have only a cell membrane.
Plant cells contain larger vacuoles; animal cells contain centrioles.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis and modification.
Smooth ER: Specializes in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and detoxification.

Golgi Apparatus

Composed of flattened sacs called cisternae.
Functions as the 'shipping center' of the cell, sorting and packaging proteins into vesicles for transport.

Mitochondria

Present in both animal and plant cells.
Generate energy via cellular respiration (ATP production) and have a double membrane structure for respiratory chain organization.

Chloroplasts

Exclusive to plant cells; conduct photosynthesis to convert solar energy into chemical energy.
Synthesize glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Cellular Digestion

Involves breaking down molecules and unwanted materials for recycling and maintenance.

Lysosomes

Contain digestive enzymes that break down cellular materials and nutrients, including bacteria and damaged cells.

Peroxisomes

Detoxify harmful molecules and break down hydrogen peroxide.
Involved in lipid metabolism and regulating overall homeostasis.

Cell Membrane

Outer layer composed of phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins.
Regulates passage of substances, acting as a selective barrier.

Cell Wall (in Plants)

Strong outer layer that protects and maintains internal structure.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance containing water, salts, proteins, and other molecules.
Occupies space between the cell membrane and nucleus.

Nucleus

Central organelle within eukaryotic cells; stores and safeguards DNA.
Controls gene expression and DNA replication.

Nucleolus

Found inside the nucleus; consists of RNA and protein.
Involved in ribosome synthesis and looks like a smaller nucleus.

Ribosomes

Essential for protein synthesis, found in cytoplasm and rough ER.
Known as the "protein builders" of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Network of membranes extending from the nuclear membrane to the cell membrane.
Fundamental for transport, processing, and distribution of proteins and lipids within the cell.

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Description

This quiz covers key components of the cytoskeleton, including microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. It also explores specialized structures such as flagella and cilia that facilitate movement in cells, as well as the role of centrosomes in cell division. Test your understanding of these essential cellular structures.