Cell Biology Notes PDF

 VOCABULARY Cell = - The most basic structural and functional unit of life; the smallest part of an organism that is still capable of all life’s processes Organelle = - Specialized structures within the cell that work together to help the cell function Macromolecul...

 VOCABULARY Cell = - The most basic structural and functional unit of life; the smallest part of an organism that is still capable of all life’s processes Organelle = - Specialized structures within the cell that work together to help the cell function Macromolecule = - Key large biological molecules that make up all living things Nucleotide = - The monomer of nucleic acids Fatty acid = - The monomer of lipids Monosaccharide = - The monomer of carbohydrates  VOCABULARY Amino acid = - The monomer of proteins Enzyme = - Biological catalysts; mostly proteins Catalyst = - Molecules that speed up biochemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed to get the reaction going without changing the reactants or products Active site = - The highly specific location on an enzyme where substrates (reactants) bind Differentiation = - The process of stem cells, or undifferentiated cells, undergoing specialization to become specific types of cells with different functions  OBJECTIVES 1. List the characteristics that all living things share. Made of cells Respond to stimuli Able to grow and reproduce Use energy (have a metabolism) Contain DNA or RNA as genetic material Adapt to their environment  OBJECTIVES 2. Describe the role of each organelle in the overall function of the cell. Cell membrane – controls what goes in and out of the cell Centrioles – key role in cell division and the anchoring of spindle fibers Cilia – move fluid across the cell’s surface Flagella – moves the entire cell through extracellular fluid Nucleus – holds the DNA that controls the activities of the cell Ribosomes – make proteins Rough ER – makes proteins Smooth ER – makes lipids, chemical modifications, stores Ca+2 Golgi apparatus – processing proteins to be sent out Vesicles – transport proteins around and out of cell Lysosomes – breakdown of materials Vacuoles – storage Mitochondria – site of cellular respiration  OBJECTIVES 3. Explain the structure of the cell membrane and how its structure allows it to control what goes in and out of the cell. 2 layers of phospholipids - Polar hydrophilic heads - Nonpolar hydrophobic tails Carbohydrates embedded for structure and signaling Proteins embedded as channels for transport and also for signaling This creates a selective permeability - Can pass easily = small, nonpolar, hydrophobic, neutral molecules, and water - Water is polar but it is a really small molecule - Cannot pass easily = Polar molecules (need protein channels) and large molecules (use vesicles)  OBJECTIVES 4. Explain the importance of each macromolecule to the overall function of the cells and thus the human body. Carbohydrates – energy storage molecules - Structural uses, key for recognition in signal transduction pathways Lipids – energy storage molecules - Main structure in the cell membrane, protection, insulation Nucleic acids – informational molecules - Blueprint for making proteins, store/transmit/express our genetic information Proteins – everything else - Enzymes, signaling, receptors, structural components, regulation, contractions, protection against disease, transport, storage, etc.  OBJECTIVES 5. Distinguish between the following terms: DNA, chromosomes, and genes. Then explain their relationship to proteins. Your DNA is all of your genetic information, organized into 46 chromosomes stored in each of your body cells. Each chromosome can be sectioned off into thousands of genes, which provide the instructions for making proteins. Proteins are what essentially run all of your body processes. 6. Explain the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions, including the importance of their specificity. Enzymes are biological catalysts, speeding up reactions. They are highly specific and only bind to certain substrates. Nearly every biochemical reaction is regulated by an enzyme!!  OBJECTIVES 7. List the levels of organization within an organism. Organism  organ systems  organs  tissues  cells (the most basic unit of life) 8. Summarize the process of the cell cycle in somatic (body) cells. Include the name of each sub-phase, and the critical importance of chromosome duplication prior to cell division. Interphase: most of cell’s life; critical step is S phase - S phase = Synthesis = when DNA is doubled so that resulting cells after division have identical amount of chromosomes to parent cell Mitosis = Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase - The division of the chromosomes Cytokinesis = division of cytoplasm into 2 identical body cells  OBJECTIVES 9. Explain what is meant by the phrase “form dictates function” and why it will be an essential theme in this course. The structure of a cell or an organ or an organ system ultimately determines what it does. The anatomy of the body and its physiological processes are intrinsically tied. From a structure’s components we can often determine how it contributes to the body’s overall function.  OBJECTIVES 10.Identify an organelle based on a diagram or description of its structure. 11.Given the description of a cell’s function, determine the most essential organelles needed in the cell to carry out that specific function. 12.Given appropriate context, be able to arrange a list of body organization levels from smallest to broadest, and vice versa.