Membrane Transport

What is the basic building block of all organisms?

A cell is the smallest unit of a living thing.

What are the two broad categories of cells?

Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

What type of microscope uses visible light to view specimens?

Light microscope.

What is the typical magnification of light microscopes used in biology labs?

Approximately 400 times.

What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis.

What is the primary role of the plasma membrane?

It separates the cell's interior from its surrounding environment.

What are the two types of electron microscopes?

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM).

What structures are found in prokaryotic cells?

Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, DNA, and ribosomes.

What is the function of lysosomes?

Lysosomes digest non-functioning organelles, macromolecules, and pathogens.

In what cellular structure does cellular respiration occur?

Mitochondria.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

It modifies, sorts, tags, packages, and distributes proteins and lipids.

What distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

What are chloroplasts responsible for?

Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis in plant cells.

What is cell theory?

All living things are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from existing cells.

What is the role of the cytoskeleton in a cell?

It helps maintain cell shape, secures organelles, and allows for movement within the cell.

What structures are used for locomotion in prokaryotic cells?

Flagella and pili.

What is the main composition of the plant cell wall?

Cellulose.

What is the function of gap junctions in animal cells?

They allow for the transport of ions, nutrients, and signaling molecules between adjacent cells.

What is the main component of the extracellular matrix in animal cells?

Collagen.

How do tight junctions function?

They create a watertight seal between two adjacent animal cells.

What are plasmodesmata?

Channels between plant cells that connect their cytoplasm, allowing material transport.

What is the chemical reaction that mitochondria are involved in?

Cellular respiration.

What is the size range of prokaryotic cells compared to eukaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are typically 0.1 to 5.0 μm, while eukaryotic cells are 10 to 100 μm.

What are microfilaments made of?

Microfilaments are made of actin protein strands.

What are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough ER and smooth ER.

What is the main difference between the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough ER has ribosomes on its surface, while smooth ER does not.

What do peroxisomes do?

They oxidize fatty acids and detoxify poisons.

What is the function of a central vacuole in plant cells?

It regulates the cell's concentration of water and supports cell expansion.

What is the purpose of microvilli in specialized cells?

They increase the surface area for absorption.

What type of cells contain centrioles?

Animal cells.

What are fimbriae used for in prokaryotic cells?

Fimbriae enable bacterial cells to attach to surfaces.

What role do ribosomal RNA and proteins play in the nucleolus?

They are assembled into ribosomal subunits.

What is the function of plasma membranes in cells?

They control the passage of substances into and out of the cell.

What are the major types of cytoskeletal components?

Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

What do mitochondria produce?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy carrier.

What is the shape of eukaryotic chromosomes?

Rod-shaped.

What is unique about chloroplast DNA?

Chloroplasts have their own DNA, similar to bacteria.

What are the two components of the nuclear envelope?

Inner and outer phospholipid membranes.

How do cells communicate via the extracellular matrix?

Cells use protein receptors on their surfaces to receive signals.

What is unique about ribosomes compared to other organelles?

They are not membrane-bound and can be found free-floating or attached to the ER.

What does the endomembrane system include?

Nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vesicles, and plasma membrane.

What is the key feature of electron microscopes compared to light microscopes?

They provide much higher magnification and resolution.

What type of movement does the cytoskeleton allow?

It enables organelle movement and cell shape changes.

How is cellular respiration related to the human respiratory system?

The carbon dioxide produced by mitochondria is exhaled through the lungs.