Cell Structure and Function

Flashcards covering basic vocabulary and concepts related to cell structure and function.

Cell Theory

Living things-made of cells; cells-life’s basic unit; .

Prokaryotic Cells

No nucleus/membrane organelles, usually single-celled

Eukaryotic Cells

Have nucleus/membrane organelles; more complex than prokaryotes

Cytoplasm

Gel inside cell; holds organelles, site of reactions.

Cell Membrane

Flexible skin; controls movement in/out.

Nucleus

Holds DNA; controls cell activities.

Mitochondria

Makes energy from glucose (cellular respiration).

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Transport tubes of cellular substances; some protein production.

Vacuoles

Storage organelles; pressure balance, waste removal.

Chloroplasts

In plants; contain chlorophyll, do photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

Plants make glucose + oxygen from CO₂, water, and light.

Cell Wall

Rigid outer layer (plants); support + protection.

Chromosomes

contain DNA, organized into linear chromosomes in eukaryotic cells.

Ribosomes

Sites within the cell where proteins are synthesized.

Golgi Bodies

Organelles that collect and process materials to be removed from the cell.

Cellular Respiration

cells convert glucose + oxygen into CO2, H20, and energy.

Diffusion

Movement of solute from high area of concentration to low area of concentration.

Osmosis

Movement of water from low area of concentration to high area of concentration.

Hypotonic Solution

Cell in solution with low amount of solute. Water flows out causing it to shrivel.

Isotonic Solution

Cell in solution with equal amount of solute as cell. Water flows in and out equally.

Hypotonic Solution

Cell in solution with high amount of solute. Bursts cause of water.

Zygote

Cell formed when sperm cell fertilizes egg.

Cell Cycle

Replication/division of nucleus where daughter cells are same as parent cells

1. Interphase(growth phase)

cell grows, replicates dna, prepares for mitosis.

3 stages of interphase

G1 phase(carries out metabolic activities, prepares for s phase)

S Phase(Synthesis phase dna is replicated)

G2 phase(Cell prepares for mitosis)

Mitosis

nucleus divides in two to create daughter cells.

2. Prophase

Forms sister chromatids and spindle fibers, nuclear membrane breaks down.

3. Metaphase

Connect centromere of each chromosome, align chromosomes on equator.

4. Anaphase

Centromere and chromatids split; spindle fibers pull chromatids to opposite poles.

5. Telophase

Chromosomes gather at poles, nuclear membrane reforms, spindle fibers break down

6. Cytokinesis

Animal: cytoplasm separates, daughter cells form (splits).

Plants: Cell plate forms between divided nuclei(develops into cell wall)

Chromosomes

Composed of dna, makes us who we are

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Checkpoint

stop and go-ahead signals, regulate the cell cycle(major checkpoints found inG1,G2, s phases)

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death(maintains stability)

Cancer cells

abnormal cells, divide unnaturally, can pile up on each other.

tumor

abnormal lump of cells

benign tumor

tumor that remains in one place

Malignant tumor

Tumor capable of spreading throughout body

Metastasis

Spread of cancer cells from initial site to throughout the body.

Cell specialization

Different cells have unique structures and abilities-help perform functions efficiently.

Muscle cells

Long and thin, designed for strength, lot of mitochondria.

Nerve cells

threadlike branches, enable cells to receive/transmit signals through body.

Red blood cells

Donut like shape, large surface area for oxygen.

Bone cells

Contains minerals to maintain strength, minerals bind cells together.

Skin cells

Layered cells, form gapless barrier coating/protecting the body.

muscle tissue

Enables body parts to move through expansion and contraction.

Epithelial tissue

covers external and internal body surfaces, protects from dehydration and friction.

Connective tissue

strengthens, supports, and connects cells/tissues.

Nervous tissues

Senses, conducts, transmits info via electric signals.

Cellular differentiation

When cells specialize

Stem cells

Unique type of animal cells

Embryonic stem cells

Can differentiate into any type of cell.

somatic cell

any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells

Sex cells(Gametes)

Reproductive cells pass on genetic information to the next generation.

Digestive system

hollow organs joined in long, twisted tube from the mouth to the anus

goblet cells

secretes mucus in digestive system

mucus

protects tract from digestive enzymes, moves materials along tube and lubricates the lining of the digestive tract.

Digestive enzymes

Help break food into smaller pieces; easier digestion

Mechanical digestion

Chewing breaks up large pieces of food into smaller ones

Chemical Digestion

involves ENZYMES and DIGESTIVE JUICES.

Saliva

converts Carbohydrates into simple sugars like Glucose.

Esophagus

Food enters narrow smooth muscular tube(25cm long)

Epiglottis

Small flap of connective tissue - prevents food from entering trachea

Peristalsis

Contractions allowing food to move down esophagus.

Stomach

Storage place for waste as well as digestion

Chemical Digestion

Stomach cells produce acid(HCl) and enzymes which help break down proteins.(also secrete mucus)

Mechanical digestion

smooth muscles of stomach wall contract and expand to churn food to small intestine

Small intestine

further splits food into smaller pieces using smooth muscle cell contraction

Large Intestine

absorbs water and vitamins from food, stores wastes before eliminated from body.

Rectum

temporary storage facility for feces

Accessory Organs

Liver, Pancreas, and Gall Bladder help by supplying digestive enzymes

Liver

Produces bile: helps digest fats, gets sent to small intestine

Gall Bladder

Bile storage

Pancreas

supplies digestive enzymes to small intestine, secretes insulin to blood stream

Insulin

Causes most cells to take glucose from blood. regulates blood sugar .

Circulatory System

organ system made up of heart, blood, and blood vessels

Oxygenated blood

red in colour

Deoxygenated blood

blue in colour

Functions of circulatory system

• Transport substances

• move nutrients to body’s cells

• regulate body temperature

• transport white blood cells

Blood

connective tissue that circulates throughout body(consists of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma)

Red Blood Cells

deliver oxygen to cells, remove wastes like CO2 using Haemoglobin

White blood cells

Infection fighting cells in the body: recognize and destroy invading bacteria/viruses

Platelets

Irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood(form clots to stop bleeding)

Plasma

protein-rich, yellowish, clear liquid that carries blood cells/important minerals

Heart

Made up of four different types of tissues: cardiac muscle tissue, nerve tissue, connective tissue, epithelial tissue

Cardiac muscle tissue

muscle tissue found only in the heart, contracts at same time, moves blood around the body.

Nerve tissue

Made up of neurons(used to communicate with the body)

Epithelial tissue

prevents friction, protects heart, allows blood to flow freely.

Connective tissue

Supports and binds other tissues together.T

Three types of blood vessels

Arteries, veins, capillaries

Arteries

Elastic, carry blood away from heart, thick walls(to withstand pressure)

Veins

Elastic, carry blood towards the heart, have thinner walls(lower pressure)

Capillaries

Small blood vessels, transport blood from arteries to veins allow oxygen, CO2 and waste to diffuse between the blood and tissues.

Coronary Artery Disease

condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries

Atherosclerosis

Plaque buildup in arteries

Heart attack

Result of coronary artery disease.

Respiratory System

Made up of the: Nose, Mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs(bronchioles, alveoli)

Respiration

Breathing(inhaling O2, exhaling CO2)

facts of respiration

average breath rate 15 times/minute, 10,000L of air moved by lungs everyday