Cell Organelles and Functions (Animal and Plant Cells)

Flashcards covering the major organelles in animal and plant cells, their structure, and functions as described in the lecture notes.

What organelle is the site of cellular respiration and generates energy in the form of ATP?

Mitochondrion.

What are the two membranes of the mitochondrion called and what are their characteristics?

The outer membrane is smooth; the inner membrane is folded.

What is the main function of mitochondria?

To generate energy (ATP) through glucose oxidation during cellular respiration.

Which organelle forms spindle fibres during cell division in animal cells?

Centriole.

Do centrioles exist in plant cells?

No.

What is the Golgi apparatus and what is its main function?

A stack of flattened sacs that processes, modifies, packs, and transports chemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, and glycoproteins.

Where is new membrane added in the Golgi apparatus, and from where do vesicles bud off?

New membrane is added at one end; vesicles bud off from the opposite end.

What is a ribosome and what is its function?

A small particle made of protein and RNA; site of protein synthesis.

Where can ribosomes be located in the cell?

On the rough endoplasmic reticulum or freely in the cytoplasm.

What is the plasma membrane and what is its function?

Outer membrane of the cell, made of proteins and phospholipids; thin, elastic, and semi-permeable; controls movement of substances and exchanges with the environment.

What is the lysosome and its function?

A small spherical sac with hydrolytic enzymes that hydrolyse complex molecules and break down bacteria and damaged cell components.

What is the nucleus and what does it contain?

Largest cell component enclosed by the nuclear membrane with pores; contains chromosomes, nucleolus, and nucleoplasm.

What is the function of the nucleus?

To control all cell activities; DNA within chromosomes determines cell characteristics and metabolic functions.

What are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum and how do they differ?

Rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes on its surface; Smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes.

What is the function of the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough ER transports proteins synthesised by ribosomes; Smooth ER synthesises and transports glycerol and lipids and detoxifies drugs and metabolic by-products.

What is a vacuole and how does it differ in plants and animals?

A liquid-filled sac; plants have a large central vacuole, animals have small vacuoles; tonoplast surrounds the vacuole.

What is tonoplast?

The membrane surrounding a vacuole.

What is a chloroplast and what is its function?

Oval-shaped organelle with two membranes containing chlorophyll; site of photosynthesis.

What pigment is contained in chloroplasts that gives plants their green colour, and where is it located?

Chlorophyll, located in the chloroplast’s grana.

What is cytoplasm and what is its role in the cell?

A jelly-like medium where biochemical reactions occur; contains organelles and suspended cell components; site of metabolic activities.

What is the plant cell wall and what is its function?

A strong, rigid outer layer made from cellulose; fully permeable; maintains cell shape and provides mechanical support.

What organelle is the site of cellular respiration and generates energy in the form of ATP?

Mitochondrion.

What are the two membranes of the mitochondrion called and what are their characteristics?

The outer membrane is smooth; the inner membrane is folded.

What is the main function of mitochondria?

To generate energy (ATP) through glucose oxidation during cellular respiration.

Which organelle forms spindle fibres during cell division in animal cells?

Centriole.

Do centrioles exist in plant cells?

No.

What is the Golgi apparatus and what is its main function?

A stack of flattened sacs that processes, modifies, packs, and transports chemicals such as proteins, carbohydrates, and glycoproteins.

Where is new membrane added in the Golgi apparatus, and from where do vesicles bud off?

New membrane is added at one end; vesicles bud off from the opposite end.

What is a ribosome and what is its function?

A small particle made of protein and RNA; site of protein synthesis.

Where can ribosomes be located in the cell?

On the rough endoplasmic reticulum or freely in the cytoplasm.

What is the plasma membrane and what is its function?

Outer membrane of the cell, made of proteins and phospholipids; thin, elastic, and semi-permeable; controls movement of substances and exchanges with the environment.

What is the lysosome and its function?

A small spherical sac with hydrolytic enzymes that hydrolyse complex molecules and break down bacteria and damaged cell components.

What is the nucleus and what does it contain?

Largest cell component enclosed by the nuclear membrane with pores; contains chromosomes, nucleolus, and nucleoplasm.

What is the function of the nucleus?

To control all cell activities; DNA within chromosomes determines cell characteristics and metabolic functions.

What are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum and how do they differ?

Rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes on its surface; Smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes.

What is the function of the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough ER transports proteins synthesised by ribosomes; Smooth ER synthesises and transports glycerol and lipids and detoxifies drugs and metabolic by-products.

What is a vacuole and how does it differ in plants and animals?

A liquid-filled sac; plants have a large central vacuole, animals have small vacuoles; tonoplast surrounds the vacuole.