Cells: Structure and Function

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering cell parts, organelle structures and functions, and differences between plant and animal cells.

What four essential tasks does each living cell carry out?

Taking food, transforming food into energy, getting rid of wastes, and reproducing.

What are the three main components of most eukaryotic cells?

The Cell Membrane, Cytoskeleton, and Nucleus.

What is the structure and function of the cell membrane?

Structure: A phospholipid bilayer with proteins that function as channels, markers, and receptors, and cholesterol which provides rigidity. Function: Serves as a selectively permeable boundary between the cell and the external environment.

What is the structure and function of the nucleus?

Structure: A sphere containing another sphere called a nucleolus. Function: Acts as the storage center of the cell’s DNA and manages cell functions.

What is the structure and function of the cell wall?

Structure: A rigid wall made up of cellulose, proteins, and carbohydrates. Function: Forms a boundary around the plant cell outside of the cell membrane that provides structure and support.

What is the structure and function of cytoplasm?

Structure: A gelatin-like fluid that lies inside the cell membrane. Function: Contains salts, minerals, and organic molecules, and surrounds the organelles.

What is the structure of the cytoskeleton?

A network of thin, fibrous elements made up of microtubules (hollow tubes) and microfilaments (threads made out of actin).

What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

It acts as a support system for organelles and maintains cell shape.

What is the structure and function of ribosomes?

Structure: Consist of two subunits made of protein and RNA. Function: Serves as the location of protein synthesis.

What is the structure and general function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?

Structure: A system of membranous tubules and sacs. Function: Serves as an intercellular highway along which molecules move from one part of the cell to another.

How does the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) differ from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) in structure and function?

The rER is covered with ribosomes and prominent in cells making large amounts of proteins to be exported or inserted into the membrane. The sER is not covered with ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and the breakdown of toxic substances.

What is the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus?

Structure: Stacked flat sacs. Function: Receives proteins from the rER and distributes them to other organelles or out of the cell (receiving, processing, packaging, and shipping).

What is the structure and function of mitochondria?

Structure: A folded membrane within an outer membrane, where the inner folds are called cristae. Function: Converts energy stored in food into usable energy for work through cellular respiration.

What is the structure and function of lysosomes?

Structure: Spherical organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes within single membranes. Function: Breaks down food particles, invading objects, or worn out cell parts.

What is the structure and function of peroxisomes?

Structure: Spherical organelles containing enzymes within single membranes. Function: Degrades hydrogen peroxide, a toxic compound produced during metabolism.

What is the structural organization of cilia and flagella, and how do they differ?

Both are hair-like organelles composed of nine pairs of microtubules arranged around a central pair that function in cell motility. Cilia are short and present in large numbers, whereas flagella are longer and less numerous.

What is the structure and function of basal bodies?

Structurally identical to a centriole, a basal body anchors the microtubule assembly of a cilium or flagellum in the cell.

What is the structure and function of centrioles?

Structure: Composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules arranged in a ring; they exist in pairs. Function: Play a major role in cell division (mitosis).

What is the structure and function of vacuoles?

Structure: A sac of fluid surrounded by a membrane (very large in plant cells). Function: Used for temporary storage of wastes, nutrients, and water.

What are the three types of plastids found in plant cells and their respective functions?

Chloroplasts (carry out photosynthesis), chromoplasts (synthesize and store pigments), and leucoplasts (store food such as starches, proteins, and lipids).

What is the structure and function of chloroplasts?

Structure: Stacked sacs (thylakoids) containing chlorophyll surrounded by a double membrane. Function: Photosynthesis (converting light energy to chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose).

What are the three major differences between plant cells and animal cells?

1. Animal cells do not contain chloroplasts. 2. Animal cells are not surrounded by cell walls. 3. Vacuoles in plants are much larger than those in animals.