Cell Biology and Tissue Overview

This set of practice flashcards covers the basics of cell biology, including cell types, organelles, DNA structure, protein synthesis, the cell cycle, and the four main tissue types.

What is the definition of a cell?

A cell is the smallest unit of life, and all living things are made of them.

What are primary functions that cells perform?

Cells make energy, grow, and copy themselves.

What are the characteristics of a Prokaryote?

A Prokaryote has no nucleus, is simple, and an example is bacteria.

What are the characteristics of a Eukaryote?

A Eukaryote has a nucleus, is complex, and an example is human cells.

What is the function of the cell membrane?

It acts as the skin around the cell and lets material in and out.

What is the Cytoplasm?

The jelly-like substance inside the cell.

What is the function of the Nucleus?

Known as the brain of the cell, it holds the DNA (the recipe book).

What are Organelles?

Tiny organs inside the cell; they are workers with specific jobs in the cell factory analogy.

What organelle makes energy and what is its analogy?

The Mitochondrion, which is compared to a power plant.

What is the job of a Ribosome?

It makes protein and is compared to a factory worker.

What is the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)?

An organelle that moves stuff around, acting like hallways.

What does the Golgi (GOAL-jee) do?

It packs and ships materials, acting like a post office.

What are Vacuoles and Lysosomes?

Vacuoles are for storage (closets) and Lysosomes clean up trash (recycling bin).

What are two unique facts about Mitochondria?

They have their own DNA and can split by themselves.

What is the difference between Rough ER and Smooth ER?

Rough ER has ribosomes on it, while Smooth ER does not.

Which organelles belong to the endomembrane system?

The nucleus, ER, Golgi, and lysosomes work together as a team.

What are nucleotides?

The tiny parts that make up DNA.

What is a double helix?

The shape of DNA, which looks like a twisted ladder.

What are the DNA base pairs?

$C$ pairs with $G$ and $A$ pairs with $T$.

What is the base pairing for RNA?

$A$ pairs with $U$.

What is a gene?

A short piece of DNA where $1$ gene tells the cell to make $1$ protein.

What happens during Transcription?

DNA is copied into mRNA inside the nucleus.

What happens during Translation?

The ribosome reads the mRNA and builds the protein.

What is gene expression?

The collective process of transcription and translation to make proteins.

What is the function of Helicase in DNA replication?

It unzips the DNA.

What is the role of Primase in replication?

It starts the new strand.

What is the role of Polymerase in replication?

It builds the new strand.

What are Okazaki fragments and how are they joined?

They are small pieces on one side of the DNA, and Ligase glues them together.

What occurs during Interphase and Mitosis?

During Interphase, the cell grows and copies DNA; during Mitosis, the cell splits in two.

What is a Zygote?

The first cell formed when sperm meets egg; it is diploid with $2$ sets of DNA.

What are Somatic cells?

All body cells, which are diploid.

What are Sex cells and how are they made?

Sperm and egg cells, which are haploid with $1$ set of DNA, made by meiosis.

What are the $4$ stages of Mitosis in order?

$1$. Prophase, $2$. Metaphase, $3$. Anaphase, and $4$. Telophase.

What happens during Prophase and Metaphase?

In Prophase, DNA curls up tight; in Metaphase, DNA lines up in the middle.

What happens during Anaphase and Telophase?

In Anaphase, DNA is pulled to each side; in Telophase, two new nuclei form.

What is cytokinesis?

The final stage where the cell pinches in half.

What are the $4$ types of tissues?

Connective, Epithelial, Muscle, and Nervous.

What are the six types of Connective tissue?

Areolar, Dense regular, Dense irregular, Adipose (fat), Reticular, and Elastic.

How many types of Epithelial tissue are there?

There are $8$ types: Simple squamous, Simple cuboidal, Simple columnar, Pseudostratified, Stratified squamous, Stratified cuboidal, Stratified columnar, and Transitional.

What are the three types of Muscle tissue?

Skeletal (moves bones, voluntary), Smooth (inside organs, involuntary), and Cardiac (in the heart).

What are the cells found in Nervous tissue?

Neurons.