Cell Theory, Cell Types, and Organelles: Biology Flashcards

What does the Cell Theory state?

All living things are made up of one or more cells.

What is a prokaryotic cell?

A cell with no nucleus (includes bacteria).

What is a eukaryotic cell?

A cell that has a nucleus (plants, animals, fungi, protists).

What are the two main types of prokaryotes?

Eubacteria and Archaebacteria.

What does "pro-" mean in "prokaryotic"?

"Before" — they existed before the nucleus.

What does "eu-" mean in "eukaryotic"?

"True" — meaning true nucleus.

Are bacteria prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Prokaryotic.

Are plants prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Eukaryotic.

Are animals prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Eukaryotic.

Are fungi eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

Eukaryotic.

What are protists?

Eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, autotrophic or heterotrophic.

What is the plant cell wall made of?

Cellulose.

What is the fungi cell wall made of?

Chitin.

What is the main difference between plant and animal cells?

Plants have cell walls and are autotrophic; animals have no cell walls and are heterotrophic.

What is cytoplasm?

The organized interior of the cell containing filaments and organelles.

What are the three protein filaments in animal cell cytoplasm?

Microtubules, Actin filaments, Intermediate filaments.

What are organelles?

Specialized compartments that perform specific functions in the cell.

Which cells have many organelles?

Eukaryotic cells.

Name 7 major organelles.

Nucleus, Ribosomes, ER, Golgi, Lysosomes, Mitochondria, Chloroplasts.

Which organelle produces ATP through aerobic respiration?

Mitochondrion.

What is the primary function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Lipid synthesis.

Which organelle modifies and packages proteins after they are produced?

Golgi apparatus.

Which organelle contains hydrolytic enzymes to break down waste?

Lysosome.

Which organelle is the site of photosynthesis in plant cells?

Chloroplast.

What is the structure of a cell membrane?

A phospholipid bilayer.

What does the Fluid Mosaic Model describe?

The cell membrane as a flexible bilayer (fluid) with proteins and other molecules embedded in it (mosaic).

Which property of the membrane allows regulation of what enters/exits the cell?

Selective permeability.

What is diffusion?

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

What is osmosis?

Movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane from high to low water concentration.

What happens in an isotonic solution?

No net movement of water.

What happens in a hypertonic solution?

Water moves out of the cell; cell shrinks.

What happens in a hypotonic solution?

Water moves into the cell; cell swells.

Why is 0.9% sodium chloride important for red blood cells?

It creates an isotonic environment, preventing cell damage.

What process requires no energy and moves molecules from high to low concentration?

Facilitated diffusion.

What is facilitated diffusion?

Diffusion through membrane proteins without using energy.

What is active transport?

Movement of molecules against their gradient using energy (ATP).

What is an example of active transport?

The sodium-potassium pump.

What is coupled transport?

Two molecules move through the same protein—one down its gradient, the other against—without ATP.

What is endocytosis?

The process of taking large molecules into the cell (uses energy).

What is exocytosis?

The process of releasing large molecules out of the cell (uses energy).

What is phagocytosis?

"Cell eating" — endocytosis of large particles.

What is pinocytosis?

"Cell drinking" — endocytosis of liquids.

Where is chemical energy stored?

In the bonds of molecules.

What is oxidation?

Loss of electrons / loss of energy.

What is reduction?

Gain of electrons / gain of energy.

What does "OIL RIG" stand for?

Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain.

What is a spontaneous reaction?

A reaction that releases energy (e.g., cellular respiration).

What is a non-spontaneous reaction?

A reaction that requires energy input (e.g., photosynthesis).

How can a spontaneous reaction help a non-spontaneous one?

Energy released from one can drive the other.

What is catalysis?

Increasing the rate of a chemical reaction.

What is a catalyst?

A substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up.

What is an enzyme?

A biological catalyst made of protein.

What is the active site?

The part of an enzyme where the substrate binds.

What is the primary role of enzymes in chemical reactions?

To lower activation energy.

What happens to an enzyme when it is denatured?

It loses its shape and function.

What typically causes enzymes to denature?

Extreme heat or pH changes.

What type of molecule are enzymes made of?

Proteins.

What is glycolysis?

The breakdown of glucose into 2 pyruvate, 2 ATP, and 2 NADH.

Where does the Krebs cycle occur?

In the mitochondria.

Which stage of cellular respiration produces the most ATP?

The electron transport chain.

What is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain?

Oxygen.

What is the net ATP yield from glycolysis per glucose molecule?

2 ATP.

What is the main function of photosynthesis?

To convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).

What is the Calvin Cycle?

The part of photosynthesis that uses ATP and electrons to reduce CO2 into sugars.

What part of the chloroplast contains chlorophyll for light-dependent reactions?

The thylakoid membrane.

During the Calvin Cycle, which molecule is reduced to form sugar?

Carbon dioxide (CO2).

What molecule is oxidized to give electrons to photosynthetic pigments?

Water (H2O).

When does fermentation occur?

When there is no oxygen present.

How much ATP is produced in fermentation?

2 ATP.

Why do cells perform fermentation?

To regenerate NAD+ for glycolysis when oxygen is unavailable.

What is the primary purpose of cellular (aerobic) respiration?

To produce ATP.