Cell Structure and Function Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to cell structure, function, prokaryotes, eukaryotes, organelles, and evolutionary theories from the lecture notes.

Cell Theory

The cell is the smallest unit of life. All living things are made of cells. Every cell comes from a pre-existing cell.

Plasma Membrane

Separates the living part of a cell from the non-living environment; regulates entry into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

A common component found in all cells.

Ribosomes

A common component found in all cells, responsible for protein synthesis.

DNA

A common component found in all cells, carrying genetic information.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell with no membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic Cell

A cell with a true nucleus.

Nucleoid

The region of cytoplasm in a prokaryotic cell where DNA is located.

Prokaryotic DNA

One large circular piece of 'naked' DNA with few bound proteins (no histones).

60S Ribosomes

Small ribosomes found in prokaryotic cells and within mitochondria and chloroplasts.

Fission

The primary method of reproduction for prokaryotic cells.

Kingdom Monera

Contains Domain Archae and Domain Bacteria.

Domain Bacteria

Contains Eubacteria and Cyanobacteria (photosynthetic).

Domain Archae

Contains Archaebacteria, including halophiles, thermophiles, and methanogens.

Eukaryotic Nucleus

Contains a 'true' nucleus with a double membrane, housing linear DNA arranged in chromosomes.

Chromatin

Linear DNA combined with many proteins in eukaryotic cells.

80S Ribosomes

Large ribosomes found in eukaryotic cells.

Sexual Reproduction

A process in eukaryotic cells involving lots of genetic recombination.

Domain Eukarya

Includes Kingdom Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia.

Mitochondrion

The cellular energy generator, producing ATP through cellular respiration.

Cristae

Folded inner membrane of a mitochondrion, site of the Electron Transport Chain.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The liquid part of a mitochondrion, containing the Krebs Cycle, DNA, and ribosomes.

Semiautonomous Organelles

Organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts that contain their own circular DNA and prokaryotic 60S ribosomes.

Chloroplast

The solar generator in plant cells, performing photosynthesis to make sugar.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids found within a chloroplast.

Thylakoid

Green photosynthetic membrane (containing chlorophyll) within a chloroplast, where Light Reactions occur.

Chloroplast Stroma

The liquid part of a chloroplast, containing the Calvin Cycle, DNA, and ribosomes.

Endosymbiont Theory

States that Mitochondria and Chloroplasts are derived from small bacteria engulfed by larger bacteria during the evolution of Eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondrial Evolution

Originated from Purple nonsulfur bacteria (aerobic, heterotrophic cells), providing the advantage of aerobic respiration.

Chloroplast Evolution

Originated from Cyanobacteria (autotrophic cells), providing the advantage of producing its own sugar by photosynthesis.

Vacuole

A single-membrane-bound organelle involved in storage, breakdown of substances, and providing turgor pressure in plants.

Peroxisomes

Single-membrane-bound organelles that break down peroxide.

Lysosomes

Single-membrane-bound organelles that use acid hydrolases to break down macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates).

Endomembrane System

A system of interconnected membranes including the Smooth ER, Rough ER, Golgi, and Vesicles.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Tubular sheets of membrane continuous with RER, lacking ribosomes; functions in lipid/membrane synthesis, Ca++ storage, detoxification, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

Sheets of membrane with ribosomes on its surface, continuous with the nuclear membrane; functions in protein synthesis, insertion of proteins into membranes, and glycosylation.

Glycosylation

The process of adding sugars to certain proteins, occurring in the RER and Golgi apparatus.

Golgi Apparatus

Stacks of membrane that act as a packaging and shipping center; modifies, sorts, and packages proteins into vesicles for transport.

Vesicles

Small membrane sacs that transport substances between membranes or organelles.

ER Lumen

The area inside the tubular structure formed by the ER membrane.

Intracellular Transport (proteins)

Proteins made in RER, packaged into vesicles, sent to Golgi for modification and sorting, then packed into new vesicles and sent to their final destination.

Cytoskeleton

A network of molecules inside the cell composed of actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules; provides structure, aids intracellular transport, and cell movement.

Actin Microfilaments

Made of actin, found beneath the plasma membrane, gives shape to cells, and involved in cell movement.

Intermediate Filaments (IF)

Very strong filaments forming a general scaffold inside the cell, made of various proteins like Keratin.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes made of tubulin protein; involved in intracellular movement and are components of flagella and spindle fibers.

Motor Protein

A protein that walks along microtubule tracks, carrying cargo like vesicles or chromosomes for intracellular movement.

Cilia & Flagella

Appendages containing microtubules; used to move a cell through liquid or move air/water across a surface.

Cell Wall

Located outside the plasma membrane, gives structure to the cell; found in algae, fungi, plants, and bacteria, but not animal cells.

Middle Lamella

Composed of Calcium pectate/pectin, it 'glues' one plant cell to an adjacent cell.

Plant Cell Wall Composition

Composed primarily of cellulose, protein, and sugars.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Located outside the plasma membrane in animal cells, made of protein and carbohydrate (e.g., collagen fiber, proteoglycan, fibronectin).

Plant-Specific Structures

Cell Wall, Chloroplasts, and a Large central vacuole.

Plasmodesmata

Cytoplasmic connections that allow communication between adjacent plant cells.