Cell Structure and Function

These flashcards cover key concepts of cell structure and function, focusing on cell theory, cellular components, membrane transport processes, organelles, and protein synthesis.

What is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms according to cell theory?

A cell.

What are the four main elements that most cells are composed of?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen.

What are the three main regions that all cells have?

Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Plasma membrane.

What is the control center of the cell that contains genetic material?

Nucleus.

What are the three regions of the nucleus?

Nuclear envelope, Nucleolus, Chromatin.

What role does the nuclear envelope play?

It acts as a barrier for the nucleus and contains nuclear pores for material exchange with the rest of the cell.

What are nucleoli and what is their function?

Sites of ribosome assembly in the nucleus.

What is chromatin composed of?

DNA and protein.

What is the structure of the plasma membrane?

A double phospholipid layer with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

What is the difference between integral proteins and peripheral proteins?

Integral proteins are firmly inserted into the membrane, whereas peripheral proteins are loosely attached to integral proteins.

What are the functions of membrane proteins?

Transport, signal transduction, attachment to cytoskeleton, enzymatic activity, intercellular joining, and cell-cell recognition.

How does passive transport occur across the plasma membrane?

It occurs without cellular energy, moving substances down their concentration gradient.

What is osmosis?

The movement of solvent (water) across a selectively permeable membrane.

What does tonicity refer to?

The ability of a solution to cause a cell to shrink or swell.

What are the types of active transport?

Active transport (solute pumping) and vesicular transport (including exocytosis and endocytosis).

What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?

To provide ATP for cellular energy.

What is the difference between phagocytosis and pinocytosis?

Phagocytosis is 'cell eating' for solids, while pinocytosis is 'cell drinking' for liquids.

What happens during the events of cell division?

Mitosis (division of the nucleus) and cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm).

What role does RNA play in protein synthesis?

It carries instructions for building proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome.

What is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms according to cell theory?

A cell.

What are the 4 main elements that most cells are composed of?

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.

What are the 3 main regions that all cells have?

Nucleus, Cytoplasm, and Plasma membrane.

What is the control center of the cell that contains genetic material?

Nucleus.

What are the 3 regions of the nucleus?

Nuclear envelope, Nucleolus, and Chromatin.

What role does the nuclear envelope play?

It acts as a barrier for the nucleus and contains nuclear pores for material exchange with the rest of the cell.

What are nucleoli and what is their function?

Sites of ribosome assembly in the nucleus.

What is chromatin composed of?

DNA and protein.

What is the structure of the plasma membrane?

A double phospholipid layer with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

What is the difference between integral proteins and peripheral proteins?

Integral proteins are firmly inserted into the membrane, whereas peripheral proteins are loosely attached to integral proteins.

What are the functions of membrane proteins?

Transport, signal transduction, attachment to cytoskeleton, enzymatic activity, intercellular joining, and cell-cell recognition.

How does passive transport occur across the plasma membrane?

It occurs without cellular energy, moving substances down their concentration gradient.

What is osmosis?

The movement of solvent (water) across a selectively permeable membrane.

What does tonicity refer to?

The ability of a solution to cause a cell to shrink or swell.

What are the types of active transport?

Active transport (solute pumping) and vesicular transport (including exocytosis and endocytosis).

What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?

To provide ATP for cellular energy.

What is the difference between phagocytosis and pinocytosis?

Phagocytosis is 'cell eating' for solids, while pinocytosis is 'cell drinking' for liquids.

What happens during the events of cell division?

Mitosis (division of the nucleus) and cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm).

What role does RNA play in protein synthesis?

It carries instructions for building proteins from the nucleus to the ribosome.

What are ribosomes and what is their function?

Small bodies made of protein and ribosomal RNA that serve as the actual sites of protein synthesis.

What is the function of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)?

It is studded with ribosomes and functions as a site for building proteins intended for secretion or for the membrane.

What is the primary function of the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)?

It functions in lipid metabolism and the detoxification of chemicals and drugs.

What is the purpose of the Golgi apparatus?

To modify, package, and ship proteins arriving from the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum via transport vesicles.

What are lysosomes?

Membranous bags containing powerful digestive enzymes that break down worn-out cell structures and foreign material.

What are peroxisomes and their specific role?

Sacs containing oxidase enzymes that use oxygen to detoxify harmful substances like alcohol and disarm free radicals.

What are the 3 components that make up the cytoskeleton?

Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

What happens during transcription in protein synthesis?

The transfer of information from a DNA base sequence to a complementary base sequence of an mRNA molecule.

What happens during translation in protein synthesis?

The step where nucleic acid 'language' is translated into the amino acid 'language' of proteins at the ribosome.

What are the 4 stages of mitosis in correct order?

The phases are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.