General Biology 11 Study Flashcards

Practice flashcards covering cell structure, cell theory, animal and plant tissues, the endomembrane system, microscopy, and cell division based on the General Biology 11 lecture.

What is a cell?

A cell is the smallest basic unit of life responsible for carrying out all life processes, serving as the structural, functional, and biological unit of living organisms.

What are the primary functions of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum and Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum?

The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is responsible for protein processing and transport, while the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum synthesizes lipids and detoxifies harmful substances.

What are the specific functions of mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, and peroxisomes?

Mitochondria produce ATP (energy), chloroplasts perform photosynthesis in plant cells, lysosomes digest wastes and worn-out organelles, and peroxisomes break down toxic substances.

What is the smallest cell, and which cell can exceed $3\,\text{meters}$ in length?

Mycoplasma is the smallest cell, and a nerve cell is one of the largest cells and may exceed $3\,\text{meters}$ in length.

What bacterial cell shapes correspond to Coccus, Bacillus, Vibrio, Spirillum, and Spirochete?

Coccus is round or spherical, Bacillus is rod-shaped, Vibrio is comma-shaped, Spirillum is a rigid spiral, and Spirochete is a flexible spiral.

What historical contributions were made by Zacharias Janssen and Robert Hooke to cell biology?

Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope in $1590$, and Robert Hooke observed cork cells and coined the term "cell" in $1665$.

What contributions did Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow make to the Cell Theory?

Matthias Schleiden ($1838$) proposed that all plants are made of cells, Theodor Schwann ($1839$) proposed that all animals are made of cells, and Rudolf Virchow ($1855$) stated that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

What are the three classical principles of Cell Theory?

1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. 2. The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. 3. All cells come from pre-existing cells.

How do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells compare in cell size and DNA location?

Prokaryotic cells range from $0.1\,\mu\text{m}$ to $0.5\,\mu\text{m}$ with DNA located in the nucleoid. Eukaryotic cells range from $10\,\mu\text{m}$ to $100\,\mu\text{m}$ with DNA located inside a true nucleus.

What are the four major animal tissue types and their primary functions?

Epithelial tissue covers and protects body surfaces; Connective tissue supports, connects, protects, and transports; Muscle tissue produces movement; Nervous tissue enables communication and coordination.

How is epithelial tissue classified according to cell layers?

Simple epithelium has one cell layer and functions in diffusion and absorption. Stratified epithelium has many cell layers and functions in protection.

What are the locations and main functions of Hyaline, Elastic, and Fibrocartilage?

Hyaline cartilage (nose, trachea, ends of bones) provides support; Elastic cartilage (external ear, epiglottis) provides maximum flexibility; Fibrocartilage (intervertebral discs, knee meniscus, pubic symphysis) acts as a shock absorber.

Why is blood classified as a connective tissue?

Blood is classified as a connective tissue because it contains cells suspended in a fluid extracellular matrix called plasma.

What are the structural and functional differences among skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues?

Skeletal muscle is voluntary, striated, multinucleated, and produces body movement. Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated, branched, and pumps blood. Smooth muscle is involuntary, non-striated, and moves substances through internal organs.

What are the parts of a neuron and their respective functions?

Dendrites receive signals; Cell body contains the nucleus; Axon conducts nerve impulses; Myelin sheath speeds impulse transmission; Axon terminal passes the signal to another cell.

What is a synapse?

A synapse is the junction where one neuron communicates with another neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.

How do apical meristems and lateral meristems differ in location and growth function?

Apical meristems are located at root and shoot tips and drive primary growth (length), whereas lateral meristems (vascular cambium and cork cambium) drive secondary growth (stem and root diameter).

What are the functions of Parenchyma, Collenchyma, and Sclerenchyma tissues?

Parenchyma consists of living cells for main metabolic functions and food storage; Collenchyma consists of living cells with unevenly thickened walls for flexible support; Sclerenchyma consists of dead cells with thick lignified walls for mechanical strength.

What are the functions of xylem and phloem in plant vascular tissue?

Xylem transports water and minerals upward from the roots, while phloem transports sugars and other organic nutrients from photosynthetic tissues to the rest of the plant.

What is the complete protein secretion pathway through the endomembrane system?

Nucleus (DNA transcribed to mRNA) $\rightarrow$ Ribosome on Rough ER (mRNA translated into protein) $\rightarrow$ Rough ER (protein folded and processed) $\rightarrow$ Transport Vesicle $\rightarrow$ Golgi Apparatus (modified, sorted, packaged) $\rightarrow$ Secretory Vesicle $\rightarrow$ Plasma Membrane $\rightarrow$ Exocytosis.

How do Exocytosis and Endocytosis differ?

Exocytosis moves materials out of the cell as secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane, whereas Endocytosis takes materials into the cell as the plasma membrane forms new vesicles.

What is the formula for calculating the total magnification of a compound microscope?

$$\text{Total Magnification} = \text{Eyepiece Magnification} \times \text{Objective Magnification}$$

If a microscope has an eyepiece magnification of $10\times$ and an objective lens magnification of $40\times$, what is the total magnification?

$$\text{Total Magnification} = 10\times \times 40\times = 400\times$$

What is the difference between magnification and resolution?

Magnification is the ability to enlarge the apparent size of an object, while resolution is the ability to distinguish two closely spaced objects as separate and produce a clear, detailed image.

What occurs during the G1, S, and G2 sub-phases of Interphase?

During $G_1$ Phase, the cell grows, increases organelles, and synthesizes proteins; during S Phase, DNA replication occurs; during $G_2$ Phase, the cell grows further and produces proteins required for division.

What are the four main stages of Mitosis and its cellular outcome?

The stages are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase (PMAT), resulting in two genetically identical diploid ($2n$) daughter cells.

What is crossing over, when does it occur, and what is its significance?

Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Prophase I of Meiosis I, creating genetic variation in offspring.

How do Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis differ in functional gamete output and time of onset?

Spermatogenesis begins at puberty and produces $4$ functional sperm cells from one primary spermatocyte. Oogenesis begins before birth and produces $1$ functional ovum and $3$ polar bodies from one primary oocyte.