Cell Biology Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key concepts from cell theory, microscopy, cellular organelles, cell signaling, embryonic stem cell development, cellular metabolism, and cell culture applications and techniques.

What is the first doctrine of cell theory?

All living things are composed of one or more cells.

What is the second doctrine of cell theory?

Cells are organisms' basic units of structure and function.

What is the third doctrine of cell theory?

Cells come only from existing cells.

What is an example of a macromolecule in cellular content?

Proteins.

Name another type of macromolecule found in cellular content.

Nucleic acid.

Give a third example of a macromolecule in cellular content.

Saccharides.

What characterizes organic micromolecules?

They contain Carbon (C) and Hydrogen (H).

What are two examples of organic micromolecules?

Sugars and amino acids.

What is an example of an inorganic ion in cellular content?

Salt.

What is the principle behind a fluorescent microscope?

It uses fluorescence to show structures in a cell.

What is the principle behind a confocal microscope?

It uses a laser as a light source to control the focal layer without interference from other layers via a pinhole.

What type of light source does a confocal microscope use?

A laser.

How does a confocal microscope avoid interference from other layers?

Through a pinhole that controls where light is focused.

What is the principle of electron microscopy?

It uses electrons as a light source to view cells or tissues for a detailed image.

What is used as a 'light source' in electron microscopy?

Electrons.

What is the purpose of electron microscopy?

To view cells or tissues for detailed images.

What type of image does a scanning electron microscope (SEM) produce?

A 3D scanned image.

What type of samples can be observed with an SEM without a conductive coating?

Wet and insulating samples in their native state.

What type of image does a transmission electron microscope (TEM) produce?

A 2D image by transmitting through the object.

Which electron microscope scans the image in 3D?

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

Which electron microscope transmits through the object for a 2D image?

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).

What is the principle of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)?

It scans a fine ceramic or semiconductor tip over a surface like a phonograph needle scans a record.

What is located at the end of the cantilever beam in AFM?

A fine ceramic or semiconductor tip.

What happens to the cantilever beam in AFM when the tip interacts with the surface?

The cantilever deflects due to repulsion or attraction.

What is 'contact mode' in AFM?

The tip is continuously touching the sample surface.

What is 'tapping mode' in AFM?

The tip taps across the surface of the sample.

What is the comparison made for how an AFM tip scans a surface?

Like a phonograph needle scans a record.

What is the principle of molecular beacons?

Molecular recognition based on fluorescence energy transfer.

What are molecular beacons utilized for?

To label probes on a slide.

What is the shape of a molecular beacon?

Horseshoe shaped.

What are located on opposite ends of a molecular beacon?

A fluorophore and a quencher.

What happens when a molecular beacon is inactivated?

The two ends (fluorophore and quencher) are close together, resulting in no emission.

What happens when a molecular beacon hybridizes with a sample?

The fluorophore and quencher are spatially separated, emitting a signal under excitation.

What happens to the fluorophore and quencher when the molecular beacon is inactivated?

They are close together, preventing emission.

What happens to the fluorophore and quencher when the molecular beacon hybridizes with a sample?

They are spatially separated, leading to signal emission under excitation.

What is the specific microtubule arrangement in centrioles?

9 microtubule triplets in a 9 + 0 array.

What is the primary function of centrioles during cell division?

They move chromosomes.

What is the role of centrioles in the cytoskeleton?

They organize microtubules.

What are the two main functions of the cytoskeleton?

Strength and support; movement of cellular structures and materials.

What is the primary function of the plasma membrane regarding isolation?

It isolates the internal cellular environment.

What role does the plasma membrane play in protection?

It protects the cell.

How does the plasma membrane maintain osmotic pressure?

It controls ion and concentration levels.

How does the plasma membrane provide support?

It anchors cells and tissues.

What materials does the plasma membrane control entry and exit for?

Various materials needed or expelled by the cell.

What is the specific microtubule arrangement in cilia?

Microtubule doublets in a 9 + 2 array.

What is the primary function of cilia?

Movement of material over the cell surface.

What is the function of proteasomes?

Breakdown and recycling of damaged or abnormal intracellular proteins.

What is the primary function of ribosomes?

Protein synthesis.

What structural feature is found in the Golgi apparatus?

Cisternae.

What are the main functions of the Golgi apparatus?

Storage, alteration, and packaging of secretory products and lysosomal enzymes.

What are the inner folds of the mitochondrial double membrane called?

Cristae.

What percentage of the ATP required by the cell do mitochondria produce?

95%.

What are the two primary functions of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)?

Synthesis of secretory products and intracellular storage and transport.

What type of enzymes do peroxisomes contain?

Degradative enzymes.

What are the two main functions of peroxisomes?

Catabolism of fats and other organic compounds; neutralization of toxic compounds generated in the process.

What type of enzymes do lysosomes contain?

Digestive enzymes.

What are the primary functions of lysosomes?

Intracellular removal of damaged organelles or pathogens.

Which organelle is responsible for moving chromosomes during cell division?

Centrioles.

Which organelle provides strength and support to the cell?

Cytoskeleton.

Which organelle maintains osmotic pressure and ion concentrations?

Plasma membrane.

Which organelle is responsible for the movement of material over the cell surface?

Cilia.

Which organelle breaks down and recycles damaged intracellular proteins?

Proteasomes.

Which organelle is primarily responsible for protein synthesis?

Ribosomes.

Which organelle is known as the 'storehouse' for secretory products?

Golgi apparatus.

Which organelle produces 95% of the cell's ATP?

Mitochondria.

Which organelle is considered the 'factory' for secretory products and transport?

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER).

Which organelle is responsible for the catabolism of fats and neutralization of toxic compounds?

Peroxisomes.

Which organelle removes damaged organelles or pathogens intracellularly?

Lysosomes.

What is the first stage of cell signaling?

Reception (of an extracellular signal by the cell).

What is the second stage of cell signaling?

Transduction (of a chemical signal from outside to inside the cell).

What is the third stage of cell signaling?

Response (initiated and/or occurring entirely within the receiving cell).

What are the two types of direct cell signaling?

Cell-cell or cell-matrix.

How do signaling molecules generally act in indirect cell signaling?

They are secreted molecules.

In endocrine signaling, how are hormones transported to target cells?

Through the circulatory system.

What is the distance of diffusion for endocrine signaling?

Long distance diffusion.

What characterizes paracrine signaling?

Signaling molecules released by one cell act on neighboring target cells.

What is an example of a signaling molecule in paracrine signaling?

Neurotransmitters.

What characterizes autocrine signaling?

Cells respond to signaling molecules that they themselves produce.

What type of diffusion is associated with paracrine and autocrine signaling?

Local diffusions.

What does GPCR stand for?

G protein-coupled receptors.

What is an example of a molecule that binds to GPCRs?

Epinephrine (E), Norepinephrine (NE), Dopamine, Histamine, or GABA.

What are the four processes of early embryonic stem cell (ESC) development?

Growth (cell division), Differentiation, Pattern formation, and Morphogenesis.

Name one of the four processes of early embryonic stem cell development.

Growth (cell division), Differentiation, Pattern formation, or Morphogenesis.

What is 'differentiation' in ESC development?

The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type.

What is 'pattern formation' in ESC development?

The developmental process by which cells acquire different identities based on their relative spatial positions within the embryo.

What is the initial stage of fertilization when an oocyte and sperm combine?

Formation of a zygote.

What is a totipotent morula?

A stage where any individual cell can become an individual being.

What is the stage after the morula where the pluripotent inner mass cells are found?

Blastocyst.

What is a pluripotent inner mass cell?

Cells with the capability to become any of the three germ layers, but not an individual organism.

What unique mitochondrial characteristic do pluripotent inner mass cells have?

No functional mitochondria with a large nucleus, producing very little energy.

What are the three germ layers that pluripotent inner mass cells can become?

Mesoderm, Endoderm, and Ectoderm.

What types of cells can the mesoderm germ layer differentiate into?

Cardiac, skeletal, red blood cells, or smooth muscle in the gut.

What types of cells can the endoderm germ layer differentiate into?

Lung cells, thyroid cells, or pancreatic cells.

What types of cells can the ectoderm germ layer differentiate into?

Skin cells of the epidermis, neurons of the brain, or pigment cells.

What is cell determination?

The process that commits a cell to a particular developmental pathway.

What are two ways a cell can follow a particular developmental pathway due to cell determination?

Via different inheritance of cytoplasmic determinants or via cell-cell interactions.

What does cell development involve using to change patterns of gene expression?

Transcriptional factors.

What are cytoplasmic determinants?

Molecules in the cytoplasm of a cell that are unequally distributed during cell division, influencing cell determination.

How do cell-cell interactions influence cell determination?

Signals from neighboring cells can influence a cell's developmental pathway.

What is the goal of reproductive cloning?

To grow a whole organism (a clone of the healthy patient).