bio 101 study guide : module 4

Vocabulary Terms

  1. Cytosol = fluid inside the cell; surrounds each organelle

  2. Cytoplasm = entire region between nucleus and plasma membrane

  3. Cell wall = NOT found in animal cells; functions to protect the cell, provides strength and rigidity, and prevents the cell from bursting; found in plants, fungi, and some protists

  4. Cell membrane = both in plant and animals cells; functions to regulate passage of molecules in and out of the cell and protects the cell from the surrounding environment

  5. Nucleus = command center of cell; contain DNA; provides the “blueprints” for building proteins and maintaining the proper function of the cell; surrounded by a double-layered nuclear membrane

  6. Nucleolus = ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is produced

  7. Chromatin = DNA combines with protein

  8. Chromosomes = thread-like structures located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carry genetic information

  9. Ribosomes = found in the cytoplasm/cytosol; “machines” that help translate mRNA into proteins and amino acids; protein synthesis occurs here

  10. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum = helps maintain cell health and function; synthesis of steroids; storage of ions like calcium; forms transport vesicles to carry substances around the cell

  11. Rough endoplasmic reticulum = site of the synthesis and initial transport of secreted protein; characterized by ribosomes that dot the surface; make phospholipids and new plasma membrane which is transferred to other parts of the cell

  12. Golgi apparatus = stacks of flattened membrane stacks; processes proteins and packages them into vesicles to be transported within the cell or secreted; receives, refines, stores, and distributes chemicals inside the cell

  13. Lysosomes = provide a location for dangerous chemical reaction to take place; filled with digestive (hydrolytic) enzymes; found in animal cells only

  14. Vacuoles = large membrane-bound storage saces; they contain nutrients or water; plant cells have the largest membrane

  15. Chloroplasts = convert light to energy to chemical energy in plant cells; perform photosynthesis

  16. Mitochondria = powerhouse of the cell; organelles perform cell respiration; uses ATP; found both in plant and animal cells

  17. Cytoskeleton = network of protein fibers (microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments); provides structure and support for cell; gives the cell shape; anchors organelles inside cells; aids in chromosome movement and separation during cell division

  18. Microtubules = act like train tracks; organelles can crawl along microtubules to move around inside the cell; small molecules can be shipped inside the microtubule

  19. Cilia = motile appendage; short hair-like appendages; made of microtubules; back and forth wafting movement; found in respiratory tract; propels protists through fluid

  20. Flagella = motile appendage; hair-like appendage; made of microtubules; has whip-like movements; found on sperm; propels protists through water

Guiding Questions

  1. Cells

    1. What is the smallest unit that displays all the properties of life? cells

    2. What does unicellular mean? made up of one cell

    3. What does multicellular mean? made up of many cells

    4. Are prokaryotes unicellular or multicellular? unicellular

  1. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

    1. Which is larger? eukaryotic

    2. Which is older evolutionarily? prokaryotic

    3. Which has just 1 circular chromosome? prokaryotic

    4. Which has a nucleus? eukaryotic

    5. Which has membrane-bound organelles? eukaryotic

    6. Do prokaryotes have a cell wall? yes

    7. Do prokaryotes have a cell membrane? yes

  2. Compare and contrast eukaryotic plant and animal cells. 

    1. What 3 things are found in plant cells and not in animal cells? central vacuole, cell wall, and chloroplast

    2. Do animal cells have a cell wall? no

    3. What is stored in the central vacuole? nutrients or water

    4. What is the function of chloroplasts? converting light energy to chemical energy in the plant cells

    5. Do plant cells have mitochondria? yes

  3. What is cytoplasm? entire region between the nucleus and plasma membrane

  4. What is cytosol? fluid inside the cell; surrounds each organelle

  5. What is a cell organelle? specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function

  6. What is the function of the plant cell wall? protect the cell, provide strength and rigidity, prevent the cell from bursting

  7. Describe the structure of the plasma membrane and the structures found within it. 

    1. What is the function of the plasma membrane? regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the cell and protects; protect the cell from the surrounding environment

    2. Where is extracellular fluid (ECF) found? sticky outer coat on animal cells

    3. Which organic molecule is the plasma membrane mainly composed of? phospholipids

    4. What is the meaning of the term “bilayer”? double layer

    5. Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophilic? head

    6. Which part of a phospholipid is hydrophobic? tail

    7. What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane? to maintain membrane fluidity, stability, and integrity

    8. What is the purpose of integral proteins in the cell membrane? transport, communication and structural support

    9. What are the functions of peripheral proteins on the cell membrane? support, signaling, and enzyme activity

    10. Explain why the term “fluid mosaic” is used to describe plasma membranes. structure and behavior of the plasma membrane

    11. What is the correct organization of phospholipids in a plasma membrane? C

  8. What is the extracellular matrix? sticky outer coat on animal cells

    1. What are some functions of the extracellular matrix? attracts water to cell; anchors cell; allows communication between cells of the tissue; acts as a marker for recognition of cell

    2. What is a proteoglycan/glycoprotein composed of? a core protein attached to long chains of carbohydrates called glycosaminoglycans; a protein with short, branched carbohydrate chains

    3. What is a glycolipid composed of? a lipid (fatty acid) embedded in the cell membrane

    4. What are the functions of glycoproteins and glycolipids?

      • glycoproteins:

        • cell recognition; cell signaling; structural support; immune response

      • clycolipid:

        • cell recognition

        • membrane stability

        • protection

  9. Nucleus

    1. What is the function of the nucleus? command center of cell

    2. What is the wrapper for the nucleus? double layered nuclear membrane (nuclear envelope)

    3. Are there holes in the nuclear envelope? yes because it allows substances to move in and out of the nucleus

  10. Genetic material

    1. Does chromatin 1 and chromosome 1 have the same genetic information? yes, but they exist in different structural forms

    2. What is the difference between chromatin and chromosomes?

      • chromatin:

        • uncoiled, loose form of DNA

        • DNA wrapped around histone

        • allows gene expression, replication, and DNA repair

        • during interphase

        • DNA is accessible for transcription and replication

      • chromosome:

        • condense, tightly packed form of DNA

        • highly coiled and compact DNA

        • ensures accurate DNA distribution during cell division

        • during cell division (mitosis or meisosis)

        • DNA is tightly packed, making it less accessible

    3. In a dividing cell would you see chromatin or chromosomes? chromosomes

  11. Nucleolus

    1. What is made by the nucleolus? rRNA

  12. Ribosomes

    1. What is the function of ribosomes? protein synthesis; “machines” that help translate mRNA into proteins and amino acids

    2. What are ribosomes made of? rRNA and proteins

    3. What are the names of the two ribosomal subunits? prokaryotic and eukaryotic

  13. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

    1. What is the function of the RER? site of the synthesis and initial transport of secreted protein; makes phospholipids and new plasma membrane which is transferred to other parts of the cell

    2. What is stuck all over the RER making it rough? ribosomes

  14. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

    1. What can the SER synthesize? steroids

    2. What is another function of the SER? storage of ions

  15. Golgi apparatus

    1. What is the function of the Golgi apparatus? processes proteins and packages them into vesicles to be transported within the cell or secreted

    2. To help remember its function, we compared the Golgi apparatus to a: post office/ups store

  16. Lysosomes

    1. What is contained inside a lysosome? filled with digestive (hydrolytic) enzymes

    2. What is the function of lysosome? provide a location for dangerous chemical reactions to take place

    3. Why not digest food in the cytoplasm? Why do it inside a lysosome? breaks down damaged cell organelles recycling the components

  17. Vacuole

    1. What is the general function of vacuoles? storage; structural support; can hold toxic substances protecting the cell; helps regulate osmotic pressure

    2. What is stored in the central vacuole of plants? contains water

    3. What do animal cells store in their vacuoles? contains nutrients

    4. What other function do vacuoles serve in animal cells? transport of material into the cell

  18. Chloroplast

    1. What is the function of chloroplasts? convert light energy to chemical energy

    2. Why are chloroplasts green? the grana are stacks of membranes that contain a green pigment called chlorophyll

    3. Describe the membrane of a chloroplasts. Is it single or double? double membrane

  19. Mitochondria

    1. What is the function of the mitochondrion? powerhouse of the cell; perform cell respiration

    2. What is the energy molecule that cells use that is created by the mitochondrion? ATP

    3. What is ATP short for? adenosine triphosphate

    4. Describe the mitochondria membrane. Single or double? double membrane

    5. Are mitochondria found in plant cells? yes

  20. Explain Endosymbiotic Theory and describe the organelles that are included in this theory

    1. What two organelles are endosymbiotic? mitochondria and chloroplasts

    2. What is the evidence that the organelles are prokaryotes living inside eukaryotes? own DNA, replicated independently, same size as bacterial ribosomes, double membrane is present

    3. What is the advantage for the eukaryotic cell? producing more energy, perform photosynthesis, and larger and more complex organisms

  21. Cytoskeleton

    1. What are the functions of the cytoskeleton? network of protein fibers; provides structure and support for cell; gives it shape; anchors organelles inside cells; aids in chromosome movement and separation during cell division

  22. Microtubules

    1. What is the function of microtubules? acts like a train track; crawl along microtubules to move around inside the cell; small molecules can be shipped inside the microtubule

    2. If something can’t fit inside a microtubule for movement, how can the microtubule help it move? it can still be carried along by motor proteins

    3. What is ameboid movement? rapid degradation and rebuilding of microtubules allows crawling movement

  23. Flagella

    1. What is the function of flagella? has whip like movements

    2. What is the only human cell with a flagellum? sperm cell

  24. Cilia

    1. What is the function of cilia? back and forth wafting movement

    2. Where are cilia found in humans? respiratory tract