Cell Biology

Cell Membrane Appearance

A lipid-based boundary that wraps around the exterior of cells to regulate what enters and exits.

Cell Wall Appearance

A rigid, cellulose-based boundary that surrounds and protects plant cells.

Nucleus Structure

A large, double-membrane compartment that stores and protects DNA.

Nucleolus Location and Appearance

A dense structure located specifically inside the nucleus.

Cytoplasm Composition

The contents of a cell, not including the nucleus, dissolved in a fluid solution.

Organelle Definition and Structure

A membrane-enclosed structure found suspended within eukaryotic cells.

Cytoskeleton Structure

A network of protein filaments located inside eukaryotic cells providing internal support.

Flagella Appearance

Whip-like projections that extend outward from the surface of cells for movement.

Mitochondrion Internal Structure

An organelle featuring inner folded membranes where energy is transferred from food to ATP.

Chloroplast Structure

An organelle designed with specialized internal compartments to capture sunlight.

Lysosome Structure

A specialized spherical vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes.

Vacuole Prominence

An organelle that is especially large and prominent in plant cells for storage.

Plasmodesmata Structure

Specialized cell-cell connections in plants forming small physical channels between cells.

Tight Junctions Structure

Specialized cell-cell connections in animals forming a watertight seal between cells.

Extracellular Matrix Structure

A complex network of proteins and carbohydrates located entirely outside of cells.

Main function of the Cell Membrane

Regulates what enters and exits cells.

Main function of the Cell Wall

Provides structural support and protection specifically for plant cells.

Main function of the Nucleus

Stores and protects genetic material (DNA).

Main function of the Nucleolus

The site of the production of ribosomes inside the nucleus.

Main function of Ribosomes

Build and synthesize proteins.

Main function of the Rough ER

The synthesis and processing of proteins.

Main function of the Golgi apparatus

Involved in the final processing and shipping of newly formed biomolecules.

Main function of Vesicles

Used for shipping and storage of various molecules throughout the cell.

Main function of Vacuoles

The site of the storage of water and nutrients, prominent in plant cells.

Main function of Lysosomes

Break down cellular waste and materials using hydrolytic enzymes.

Main function of Proteasomes

Degrades unneeded or damaged proteins by breaking peptide bonds.

Main function of Mitochondria

The site of cellular respiration where energy is transferred from food to ATP.

Main function of Chloroplasts

The site of photosynthesis where energy is transferred from sunlight to food.

Main function of the Cytoskeleton

Provides structural support and movement inside eukaryotic cells.

Main function of Flagella

Used for cellular locomotion and movement.

Main function of Plasmodesmata

Allows materials and signals to pass directly between plant cells.

Main function of Tight Junctions

Forms a seal between animal cells to prevent substances from leaking between them.

Main function of Extracellular Matrix

Provides structural support and allows communication between cells.

Function of Endomembrane System

Synthesizes, modifies, and ships proteins and lipids across a network of membranes.

Difference: Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotic cells contain both.

Difference: Where organisms are found (Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes)

Prokaryotes are typically found in bacteria and archaea, while eukaryotes make up complex multi-cellular organisms.

Difference: Plant vs Animal cell outer boundaries

Plant cells have both a cell membrane and a rigid cell wall, while animal cells only have a cell membrane.

Difference: Plant vs Animal cell storage organelles

Plant cells have a prominent central vacuole for water/nutrient storage, whereas animal cells have smaller vesicles.

Difference: Energy organelle presence in plants vs animals

Plant cells contain both chloroplasts and mitochondria, while animal cells contain mitochondria only.

Difference: Cell-cell connections in plants vs animals

Plants use plasmodesmata for direct channel communication, while animals use tight junctions to seal spaces between cells.

Difference: Lysosomes vs Proteasomes targets

Lysosomes use hydrolytic enzymes to digest general waste, whereas proteasomes specifically target and degrade unneeded or damaged proteins via peptide bonds.

Difference: Rough ER vs Ribosomes roles

Ribosomes build raw proteins, while the Rough ER acts as the organelle where those proteins undergo synthesis and processing.

Difference: Chloroplast vs Mitochondria energy source

Chloroplasts convert sunlight into food energy, whereas mitochondria convert food into cellular energy (ATP).

Difference: Cytoskeleton vs Extracellular Matrix location

The cytoskeleton is inside eukaryotic cells for internal support, while the extracellular matrix is outside cells for external structure and communication.

Difference: Cell size and volume growth rate

As a cell increases in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area.

Difference: Surface area-to-volume ratio in small vs large objects

Smaller objects have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio than larger objects.

Difference: Diffusion efficiency based on size

Cells with a higher surface area-to-volume ratio can exchange materials through diffusion much more efficiently than cells with lower ratios.

Difference: Why low SA:V ratios are worse for diffusion

Cells with a lower surface area-to-volume ratio have less relative membrane available per unit of volume for transport.

Difference: Organelle DNA origin evidence

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA and self-replicate, unlike other organelles that lack their own genetic material.

Three parts of Cell Theory

1) All living organisms are made of cells, 2) The cell is the basic unit of life, 3) All cells come from pre-existing cells.

Definition of Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by ancestral cells.

Evidence supporting Endosymbiotic Theory

Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own independent DNA and can replicate independently.

Refuting false organelle DNA claims

False: Mitochondria and chloroplasts do not lack their own genetic material; they actually carry their own DNA and self-replicate.

Impact of cell growth on SA:V ratio

As a cell increases in size, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases.

Impact of cell growth on volume vs surface area

As a cell increases in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area.

True or False: Small vs Large SA:V ratio

True: Smaller objects have a greater surface area-to-volume ratio than larger objects.

True or False: Diffusion in high vs low SA:V ratio

True: Cells with higher surface area-to-volume ratio exchange materials more efficiently through diffusion.

True or False: Lower SA:V ratio diffusion capability

False: Cells with a lower surface area-to-volume ratio are worse at diffusion because they have less relative membrane available for transport.

True or False: Organelle DNA origin

True: Mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own DNA, supporting the idea that they originated as independent organisms.

Definition of Endomembrane System

The network of organelles and membranes involved in the synthesis, modification, and shipping of proteins and lipids.

What is a Prokaryotic Cell?

A cell that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, typically found in bacteria and archaea.

What is a Eukaryotic Cell?

A cell that contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

What is Cytoplasm?

The contents of a cell, excluding the nucleus, dissolved in a fluid solution.

What is an Organelle?

A membrane-enclosed structure found within eukaryotic cells.

What is the Nucleolus?

The site of the production of ribosomes inside of the nucleus.

What is a Proteasome?

A cell part that degrades unneeded or damaged proteins in a reaction that breaks peptide bonds.

What are Plasmodesmata?

Specialized cell-cell connections in plant cells that form small channels to allow materials and signals to pass directly between cells.

What are Tight Junctions?

Specialized cell-cell connections between animal cells that form a seal to prevent substances from leaking between the cells.

What is the Extracellular Matrix?

The complex network of proteins and carbohydrates between cells that provides structural support and allows communication.