Cellular Biology Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from cellular biology, including organelles, tissue types, and cellular functions.

What composes the plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane is composed of a bilayer of phospholipids.

What are the two main types of tails in a phospholipid bilayer?

Hydrophobic fatty acid tails and hydrophilic polar head groups.

What composes the plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane is composed of a bilayer of phospholipids.

What are the two main types of tails in a phospholipid bilayer?

Hydrophobic fatty acid tails and hydrophilic polar head groups.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

It provides structural support and acts as a semi-permeable barrier separating internal and external environments.

Where is DNA normally found in a non-dividing cell?

DNA is contained in long indistinct strings called chromatin.

What happens to DNA during cell division?

DNA will arrange into chromosomes which appear as distinct structures.

What structures are present in the nucleus?

Nuclear pores and the nucleolus.

What is transcribed in the nucleus and transported to ribosomes?

DNA is transcribed into mRNA.

What is the primary function of ribosomes?

Ribosomes perform the function of protein synthesis.

Where are ribosomes found in the cell?

In the cytosol, in energy-processing organelles, and attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum?

It is associated with the manufacture of metabolic substances.

What are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum?

Smooth ER and Rough ER (with ribosomes).

What occurs in the Golgi apparatus?

Substances from the ER are modified, sorted, and sent to other destinations.

What do lysosomes contain?

Lysosomes contain about 40 different glycoprotein hydrolytic enzymes.

What is the function of peroxisomes?

Responsible for the breakdown of fats and other toxic substances.

What metabolic processes occur in the mitochondria?

Cellular respiration; food molecules are converted to ATP.

What is the cytoskeleton?

An internal scaffolding that gives shape and aids in movement.

How many main functions does the cytoskeleton have?

Five main functions.

What are the five main functions of the cytoskeleton?

Intracellular transport, intracellular movement, cell motility, structure and support, inter-cell and extracellular structure.

What are microfilaments made of?

Polymers of the protein actin.

What type of movement do microtubules facilitate?

Movement of cilia, flagella, and chromosomes.

What is exocytosis?

The process where materials for export from the cell contained in vesicles are released to the environment.

What is endocytosis?

The process where materials are taken in from the environment.

What are the two types of endocytosis mentioned?

Pinocytosis (cell drinking) and phagocytosis (cell eating).

What is phagocytosis?

The process often conducted by specialized immune cells that engulf foreign substances.

What is chemotaxis?

The ability of a cell or organism to move toward or away from a diffusible chemical substance.

What type of cells detect bacterial peptides during infection?

Neutrophils.

What do pseudopodia allow a cell to do?

Pseudopodia allow the cell to 'walk' over surfaces.

What is the function of intermediate filaments?

Provide tensile strength to cells and tissues.

What are microtubules made up of?

Hollow fibers made of tubulin protein.

What is the centrosome?

The microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in a cell.

What drives cell division?

The contractile ring made up of actin and myosin.

Which proteins are responsible for cilia and flagella beating?

Microtubules and motor proteins.

What are motor proteins associated with?

Intracellular transport, cell motility, mechanics of cell division, and muscle contraction.

Name two types of motor proteins.

Myosin and kinesins.

What is connective tissue made up of?

Aggregates or groups of cells organized to perform specific functions.

What are the four basic tissue types?

Nervous, epithelial, muscle, and connective tissue.

What does the extracellular matrix (ECM) provide?

Mechanical and structural support for tissues.

What is the role of laminins in the ECM?

They organize sheet structure and aid in cell migration, growth, and differentiation.

What characterizes fibrillar collagens?

They assemble into rigid, cable-like fibrils.

Why is collagen important in connective tissue?

It provides high tensile strength.

What do elastic fibers contain?

Elastin and fibrillin.

What is the primary function of reticular fibers?

Provide mechanical strength and serve as a supporting stroma.

What do glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) form?

A porous hydrated gel that resists compressive forces.

What is the role of fibronectin in the body?

Involved in blood clotting and wound healing.

How does cell communication contribute to development?

It coordinates specialized cell functions as part of a tissue, organ, or organism.

What signifies that some tissues are more fibrous than others?

Dense connective tissue, like tendons, is highly fibrous.

What is the role of the basement membrane?

It supports epithelial tissues by separating them from connective tissues.

How does differentiation occur in cells?

From cells receiving and responding to signals from each other and the ECM.

What is significant about the ECM's structure?

It determines the structure and function of various tissue types.

What is established by the arrangement of ECM proteins?

The widely different structure and function among different ECM types.

What functions do specialized cells perform within tissues?

Coordinate their functions for tissue, organ, or organism operation.

What role does the ECM play in connective tissues?

It is a matrix that consists of various proteins arranged differently for varied functions.

What is the basic structure of collagen molecules?

Trimers of polypeptide chains associated to form a rod-like triple helix.

What is the main function of the cytoskeleton in a cell?

To provide shape, support, and facilitate movement.

How does cell-to-cell communication develop complex organisms?

Through coordination of specialized cell functions.

Endocytosis includes which processes?

Pinocytosis and phagocytosis.

What is the distinction between non-fibrillar and fibrillar collagens?

Non-fibrillar collagens are sheet-forming and anchoring; fibrillar collagens form thicker fibers.

What important role does elastic fibers play in tissues?

They provide elasticity needed to function.

What connects cells to the ECM?

Cell surface receptors interact with ECM components.