Cells

Prokaryotic Cells

Simpler cells that do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, most unicellular organisms contain prokaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

Larger, more complex cells that contain many organelles - membrane-bound structures that carry out specific functions.

Nucleus

Houses genetic material in the form of DNA, directs cell activities and codes for protein synthesis.

Nucleolus

Responsible for the creation of ribosomes - protein synthesis.

Cell Membrane

Separates the cell from the environment.

Ribosomes

Location of protein synthesis.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Involved in lipid synthesis, a network of membranes.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Involved in protein synthesis at ribosomes.

Mitochondria

Site of some steps in aerobic respiration, ATP synthesis occurs at folds of the inner membrane.

Golgi Apparatus

Transport proteins to different parts of the cell or to secrete from the cell.

Cytoplasm

Site of metabolic processes, such as glycolysis and protein synthesis.

Cytoskeleton

Anchors organelles and enzymes.

Lysosomes

Responsible for the breakdown of molecules.

Centriole

Ensures chromosomes are accurately separated.

Chloroplast

Site of photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

Gives protection and shape to the cell.

Vacuole

Involved in digestion, cell rigidity, and storage of ions, sugars, amino acids, and waste.

Cilia/Flagella

Used for movement and sensory functions.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that forms the core of cell membranes, allowing them to exist in a watery environment.

Fatty Acid Tails

Hydrophobic components of phospholipids that face inward, away from water.

Cholesterol

A lipid that helps maintain membrane fluidity by preventing fatty acids from sticking together.

Proteins

Molecules that perform various functions, including anchoring the membrane and transporting substances.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that define cell characteristics and identify chemical signals.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by two monosaccharides bonded together.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that consist of more than two monosaccharides.

Lipids

Organic molecules made primarily of carbon and hydrogen, including fats and oils.

Fats

Lipids composed of one glycerol and three fatty acids.

Phospholipids

A type of lipid that forms the fundamental structure of cell membranes, consisting of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, containing carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Factors Affecting Enzyme Action

Temperature, pH, concentration of enzyme and substrate, and coenzyme influence enzyme activity.

Optimum Temperature

The temperature at which an enzyme functions most efficiently, typically body temperature.

Active Transport

substances moving from low to high concentration with the use of energy

Passive Transport

substances moving from high to low concentration without using energy, through diffusion or osmosis

Diffusion

the net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration

Osmosis

diffusion of water across a membrane

Hypertonic

a solution with a higher concentration of solute outside than inside the cell, causes water to leave the cell, could shrivel up a cell

Hypotonic

a solution with a lower concentration of solute outside than inside the cell, causes water to flow into the cell, animal cell could burst, plant cells will not

Isotonic

a solution with the same concentration solute and water, maintains normal shape

Exocytosis

movement of material out of a cell by a vesicle which fuses with the plasma membrane (exo-material moving out)

Endocytosis

movement of material into a cell through vesicles that move inward from the plasma membrane (endo-material moving in)

Phagocytosis

moving solid/semi-solid material into a cell (type of endocytosis)

Pinocytosis

moving liquid into a cell (type of endocytosis)

Cell Differentiation

cell specialization

Anaerobic cellular respiration

does not use oxygen

Glycolysis

first step in anaerobic respiration, happens in cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid, produces 2 ATP

Lactic acid fermentation

step 2, produces 0 ATP, happens in cytoplasm

Aerobic cellular respiration

general overview & net reaction

Krebs cycle

Step 2, produces 2 ATP, happens in mitochondrion

Electron Transport Chain

produces 32 ATP, happens in mitochondrion

ATP

When ATP is used for energy, it loses a phosphate group, converting it back into ADP

Comparative production of ATP

aerobic is much more efficient - produces more ATP

Photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O 🡪 C6H12O6 + 6O2

Light dependent reactions

Overall, light energy 🡪 ATP + NADPH

Calvin Cycle

Overall, CO2 + H+ + ATP + high energy e-s of NADPH 🡪 glucose

Comparison of photosynthesis and cellular respiration

they use the same components, but in opposite order