Chapter 4 Bio

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells

• What is a cell? List 4 things that all cells have.

  • 1) Plasma membrane (selective barrier) 

  • 2) Chromosome: DNA molecule containing genetic information

  • 3) Cytoplasm 

  • 4) Ribosomes: complexes that makes proteins

• How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells different? Compare and contrast them.

  • Prokaryotic cells are smaller and have a simpler structure. They also evolved first.  

    • Which one evolved first? Prokaryotic 

    • Which one has a nucleus? Eukaryotic

    • Which one has organelles? Eukaryotic

    • Which one contains organisms that can either be unicellular or multicellular? Eukaryotic

• List at least 2 examples of organisms that have prokaryotic cells

  • Bacteria and Archaeans 

• List at least 4 examples of organisms that have eukaryotic cells.

  • Animals, plants, fungi, protists 

• What is a ribosome?

  • Complexes that make proteins (can be either free or attached to endoplasmic reticulum) 

Cell Structures and Organelles

• What is an organelle?

  • Organelles are membrane-enclosed compartments within a cell that carry out specialized functions, such as energy transfer and materials recycling. Examples include chloroplasts, mitochondria, and the Golgi complex

• What is the main function of the plasma membrane?

  • The plasma membrane acts as a selective barrier, regulating the exchange of materials between the cell and its environment. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrate chains

• What is the function of the nucleus?

  • The nucleus houses the cell's DNA and is responsible for controlling the cell's growth, metabolism, and reproduction. It contains the nucleolus, where ribosomal RNA is synthesized

• What is the function of the cytoskeleton?

  • The cytoskeleton provides structural support to the cell, maintains its shape, and facilitates movement of organelles and cell mobility through structures like cilia and flagella

• What is the function of the mitochondria?

  • Mitochondria extract energy from food and transform it into ATP, the chemical form of energy that cells can use 

• What is the function of lysosomes?

  • Lysosomes break down worn-out cellular structures or foreign materials that enter the cell. They digest these materials and return the molecular components to the cytoplasm for further use

• What is the main function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?

  • The rough endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the production of proteins, which are synthesized by ribosomes bound to its surface

• What are the two main functions of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

  • The smooth endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes lipids and detoxifies potentially harmful substances ​

• What are the main functions of the Golgi apparatus?

  • The Golgi apparatus processes, sorts, and ships proteins to their destination within or outside the cell. It also modifies proteins by trimming sugars or adding phosphate groups

• What organelles are only present in plant cells? What is their function?

  • Cell Wall: Provides structural strength and helps regulate water intake and retention ​

  • Chloroplasts: Sites of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy (sugar) ​

  • Central Vacuole: Stores nutrients and degrades waste products ​