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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of cholesterol molecules in the cell membrane?
Which term describes the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane?
What type of transport moves molecules against their concentration gradient?
Which of the following correctly describes passive transport?
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What is the role of glycoproteins in the cell membrane?
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Which of the following is NOT a method of molecule movement into cells?
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Which of these statements is true regarding diffusion?
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What drives passive transport mechanisms?
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What are the main components of the cytoskeleton?
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Which function is NOT attributed to the cytoskeleton?
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Which characteristic distinguishes intermediate filaments from microfilaments and microtubules?
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What type of filament is primarily involved in muscle contractions?
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Which function is associated with microtubules?
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Which structural component forms the main barrier of the cell membrane?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the cell membrane?
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What type of movement do cilia facilitate?
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What is the primary function of active transport?
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Which type of endocytosis specifically involves the engulfing of large particles?
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What role do protein pumps play in cellular processes?
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What occurs during exocytosis?
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Which of the following statements about receptor-mediated endocytosis is accurate?
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What distinguishes facilitated diffusion from simple diffusion?
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Which of the following best describes osmosis?
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What requirement does facilitated diffusion have that simple diffusion does not?
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What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
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What primarily drives the process of diffusion?
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How does a hypertonic solution affect a cell?
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What type of molecules typically undergo facilitated diffusion?
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Which of the following statements about facilitated diffusion is false?
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What occurs when a cell is placed in an isotonic solution?
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What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
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In which type of solution does water diffuse out of the cell?
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What is required for active transport to occur?
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What is the main characteristic of a hypertonic solution?
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Which solution will cause a cell to burst due to excess water intake?
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What does active transport create in the cell membrane?
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When a cell is in an isotonic environment, what happens to its volume?
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Study Notes
Cytoskeleton
- A microscopic network of protein filaments and tubules in the cytoplasm
- Consists of three main types of filaments, which are elongated chains of protein:
- Microfilaments
- Microtubules
- Intermediate Filaments
- Supports the cell, gives the cell its shape, and facilitates movement
- Plays important roles in molecule transport and cell division
Microfilaments
- Primarily composed of the protein actin
- Involved in multiple cellular processes, including:
- Cytokinesis (cytoplasm division)
- Cell motility
- Cytoplasmic streaming
- Muscle contractions
- Maintenance of cell shape
Microtubules
- Involved in a variety of important cellular processes, including:
- Chromosome division during cell division
- Transporting molecules within the cell
- Maintenance of cell shape
- Cell motility
Cilia and Flagella
- Flagella are "tails" that propel a cell forward
- Cilia are cellular appendages that allow the cell to move
Intermediate Filaments
- Intermediate in size between microfilaments and microtubules (8-10 nm)
- Composed of various proteins like keratin, vimentin, desmin, and lamin
- Play a crucial role in maintaining cell shape
- Provide structural support by bearing tension
Cell Membrane
- Also known as the plasma membrane
- Encloses the cell and its organelles
- Phospholipids form the basic structure of the cell membrane, creating a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins
- Involved in five key functions:
- Protects the cell by acting as a barrier
- Regulates transport of substances into and out of the cell
- Receives chemical messengers from other cells
- Acts as a receptor
- Cell mobility, secretions, and absorptions of substances
Structure of the Cell Membrane
- Contains various components that aid in its function:
- Channels or transporters: move molecules in one direction
- Receptors: recognize specific chemicals
- Cholesterol molecules: keeps the membrane fluid consistent
- Enzymes: catalyze production of substances
- Glycoproteins: identify cell type
Phospholipids in the Cell Membrane
- Have a hydrophilic (head) and hydrophobic (tail)
- Hydrophilic head has affinity for water
- Hydrophobic tail repels water
- This interaction of phospholipids with water is crucial for life
Movement Across the Plasma Membrane
- Some molecules can move across the cell membrane without assistance:
- Water, Carbon dioxide, Ammonia, Oxygen
- Other molecules need different transport mechanisms:
Methods of Molecule Movement into Cells
- Passive transport: moves chemicals from high to low concentration (does not require energy)
- Active transport: moves chemicals from low to high concentration (requires energy, uses protein pumps)
- Endocytosis: movement of large materials into cells
- Exocytosis: movement of large materials out of the cells
Passive Transport
- Moves chemicals down their concentration gradient
- Three types of passive transport:
- Diffusion
- Facilitated Diffusion
- Osmosis
Diffusion
- Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration to equalize concentration
- Requires no energy
- Driven by the existing concentration gradient
Facilitated Diffusion
- Passive transport of molecules or ions through specific transmembrane integral proteins
- Does not require energy but needs carrier proteins
- Moves molecules from high to low concentration
Osmosis
- Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane
- Water moves from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution
- Important for water movement in and out of cells
Osmosis vs Diffusion
- Osmosis is the movement of solvent particles (water molecules)
- Diffusion is the movement of particles (like oxygen)
Hypotonic, Hypertonic, and Isotonic Solutions
- Hypotonic: lower solute concentration than the cell, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell
- Hypertonic: higher solute concentration than the cell, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink
- Isotonic: equal solute concentration inside and outside the cell, water moves in and out at the same rate, equilibrium
Active Transport
- Moves chemicals against their concentration gradient
- Requires energy to move chemicals from low to high
- Creates a charge gradient across the cell membrane
- Requires protein pumps to move chemicals
Endocytosis
- Movement of large materials into cells
- Three types of endocytosis:
- Bulk-phase (non-specific)
- Receptor-mediated (specific)
- Receptor-mediated endocytosis uses phagocytosis and pinocytosis processes
Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
- How cells take in specific molecules by binding to receptors on the cell surface
Phagocytosis
- "Cell eating"
- Engulfing large particles or organisms by the cell
Pinocytosis
- "Cell drinking"
- Engulfing dissolved materials by the cell
Exocytosis
- The reverse of endocytosis
- Cell discharges materials
- Vesicle containing the material moves to cell surface
- Membrane of vesicle fuses with cell membrane
- Materials are expelled outside the cell.
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Description
Explore the intricate structure and function of the cytoskeleton, including microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Understand how these components support cell shape, movement, and essential cellular processes such as division and transport.