Module2_Lecture_2_Cells

What are the major components of cell membranes?

Cell membranes are composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane is a selective barrier that controls the movement of molecules between the inside and outside of the cell.

What are the major components of cell membranes?

Cell membranes are composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane is a selective barrier that controls the movement of molecules between the inside and outside of the cell.

What is the endomembrane system?

An interconnected system of membranes that includes the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vesicles, and plasma membrane.

What organelles are involved in energy harnessing?

Mitochondria and chloroplasts.

What are the core concepts of cell theory?

All organisms are made up of cells; the cell is the fundamental unit of life; cells come from preexisting cells.

How does cholesterol affect cell membranes?

Cholesterol acts as a buffer to lessen the impact of temperature on membrane fluidity.

What is passive transport?

The movement into and out of cells that occurs by diffusion without the use of energy.

What drives osmosis?

Osmosis is driven by the differences in solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.

Define turgor pressure.

Turgor pressure is the force exerted by water pressing against an object.

What are active transporters and how do they function?

Transporters that move ions or molecules across the membrane and require energy to do so.

What is the function of the sodium/potassium pump?

It moves sodium and potassium ions in opposite directions across the cell membrane.

What are the functions of the Golgi apparatus?

To further modify proteins and lipids, sort them for final destinations, and synthesize carbohydrates.

How are integral and peripheral proteins different?

Integral proteins are permanently associated with cell membranes while peripheral proteins are temporarily associated.

What is the role of receptors in the cell membrane?

Receptors allow the cell to receive signals from the environment.

What are vesicles used for in cellular transport?

Vesicles transport molecules to and from cell compartments.

What is exocytosis?

Exocytosis is the process by which a vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane to release its contents outside the cell.

What is endocytosis?

Endocytosis is the process of bringing material from outside the cell into a vesicle.

What type of diffusion requires a protein channel?

Facilitated diffusion.

What causes a plant cell to swell or burst?

A hypotonic environment where water enters the cell against the cell wall.

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

The cell loses water and shrinks.

What are the functions of lysosomes?

Lysosomes degrade proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and complex carbohydrates.

What do ribosomes do?

Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis where amino acids are assembled into polypeptides.

What structure of the cell is responsible for modifying proteins?

The Golgi apparatus.

What is the primary difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion?

Simple diffusion does not require a protein, while facilitated diffusion does.

How do mitochondria and chloroplasts differ from other organelles?

They have their own genomes and can grow and multiply independently.

What is the role of transport proteins?

Transport proteins help move substances across the cell membrane.

What is the primary function of the endoplasmic reticulum?

The ER produces many of the lipids and proteins used inside and outside the cell.

What defines an organelle as being involved in primary active transport?

It directly uses ATP to move molecules against their concentration gradient.

What is meant by the term selective barrier in the context of the plasma membrane?

It means that the membrane controls which molecules can pass into or out of the cell.

Define simple diffusion.

The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without energy.

What is the basic unit of life according to cell theory?

The cell.

How does cell size relate to the efficiency of transport?

Larger cells have a harder time efficiently transporting materials due to increased distance.

What distinguishes prokaryotic cells from eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.

What role do chloroplasts play in plants?

Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

What happens to molecules during cellular respiration?

They are broken down to release energy.

What is cytosol?

The fluid part of the cytoplasm where cellular processes occur.

What is the significance of the nuclear envelope?

The nuclear envelope separates the nucleus contents from the cytoplasm.

What is the impact of temperature on membrane fluidity?

Increased temperature can make membranes more fluid whereas decreased temperature can solidify membranes.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment.

What is an enzyme?

An enzyme is a protein that acts as a catalyst to accelerate a biochemical reaction.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

What are ribosomes composed of?

Ribosomes are composed of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins.

What is the primary role of the nucleus in a cell?

The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material and controls cellular activities.

What is cellular respiration?

Cellular respiration is the process of converting glucose and oxygen into ATP, carbon dioxide, and water.

What is an organelle?

An organelle is a specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

The cytoskeleton provides structural support and helps maintain the shape of the cell.

What is the role of the mitochondria?

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, generating ATP through cellular respiration.

What is a lipid?

Lipids are a group of hydrophobic biomolecules that include fats, oils, and steroids.

What is active transport?

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane requiring energy.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

What is the cell membrane made of?

The cell membrane is primarily made of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

What is osmosis?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is a virus?

A virus is a microscopic infectious agent that requires a host cell to replicate.

What are chloroplasts?

Chloroplasts are organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.

What is the Golgi apparatus?

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for delivery.

What is apoptosis?

Apoptosis is the programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.

What are nucleotides?

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and a base.

What is a prokaryotic cell?

Prokaryotic cells are unicellular organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

What is cell division?

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

What is a lipid bilayer?

A lipid bilayer is a double layer of phospholipids that makes up cell membranes.

What is macromolecule?

Macromolecules are large, complex molecules that include proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

What are aquaporins?

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.

What are glycoproteins?

Glycoproteins are proteins with carbohydrate groups attached that play key roles in cell recognition and signaling.