Eukaryotic Cells

    Cards (37)

    • What are the main structural components of the nucleus?
      • Surrounded by the nuclear envelope (double membrane)
      • Contains nucleoplasm with chromatin and nucleolus
      • Envelope connects with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
    • What is the primary function of the nucleus?
      It controls cell activity via control of DNA transcription
    • What role do pores in the nucleus play?
      Pores allow substances to move between the nucleus and cytoplasm
    • What does the nucleolus produce?
      Ribosomes
    • How does the connection between the nucleus and RER facilitate cell function?
      It allows easy transport of substances
    • What are the main structural components of mitochondria?
      • Double membrane with inner membrane folded into cristae
      • Contains ribosomes, enzymes, and DNA in the matrix
      • Inner membrane has proteins
    • What is the primary function of mitochondria?
      It is the site of aerobic respiration, producing energy
    • What substances can enter and exit the mitochondria?
      Oxygen and acid enter, while carbon dioxide and ATP exit
    • What is the significance of the larger surface area in mitochondria?

      It enhances the efficiency of aerobic respiration
    • What are the main structural components of the plasma membrane?
      • Found on the surface of plant and animal cells
      • Composed of lipids and proteins
    • What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
      It regulates the movement of substances inside and outside the cell
    • How do receptor cells in the plasma membrane function?
      They allow the cell to respond to chemicals like hormones
    • What are the main structural components of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
      • A system of flattened sacs
      • Covered in ribosomes
    • What is the primary function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?
      It allows transport of substances and synthesizes proteins
    • What are the main structural components of the Golgi apparatus?
      • Flattened fluid-filled cisternae stacked on top of each other
      • Connected to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
      • Vesicles found at the edges
    • What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus?
      It allows internal transport and modification of lipids and proteins before secretion
    • What does the Golgi apparatus produce?
      Lysosomes
    • What are the main structural components of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
      • A system of hollow, interconnected tubules
    • What is the primary function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
      It is involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and can give rise to the Golgi apparatus
    • What are the main structural components of ribosomes?
      • Two subunits made of rRNA and protein
      • rRNA is formed in the nucleus and moves out via pores
    • What is the primary function of ribosomes?
      They provide binding sites for mRNA, tRNA, and enzymes, allowing for protein synthesis
    • What are the main structural components of lysosomes?
      • Vesicles containing hydrolysis enzymes (lysozymes)
    • What is the primary function of lysosomes?
      They break down old organelles, storage molecules, or the whole cell
    • What are the main structural components of the cell wall?
      • A rigid wall around cells
      • Mainly made of carbohydrate cellulose or chitin
    • What is the primary function of the cell wall?
      It supports the cell's shape
    • What are the main structural components of chloroplasts?
      • Double membrane
      • Thylakoid membrane stacks in stroma, stacked into grana
    • What is the primary function of chloroplasts?
      They isolate photosynthetic reactions and have a large surface area for increased light absorption
    • What do starch grains in chloroplasts do?
      They store carbohydrates
    • What are the main structural components of the vacuole?
      • A membrane-bound organelle in the cytoplasm
      • Contains cell sap (weak sugar and salts)
    • What is the primary function of the vacuole?
      It helps maintain pressure in the cell and keeps it rigid
    • How does the vacuole prevent a plant from wilting?
      By maintaining pressure in the cell
    • What are the main structural components of centrioles?
      • Made up of microtubules (small hollow cylinders)
      • Barrel-shaped and found near the nuclear envelope
    • What is the primary function of centrioles?
      They organize microtubules that are the cell's skeletal system
    • What is the process of differentiation in cells?
      • All cells start as embryonic undifferentiated cells (stem cells)
      • They can differentiate into specialized cells
    • Why is differentiation necessary in cells?
      It is needed as the surface area to volume ratio decreases during cellular changes
    • What are examples of specialized cells and their adaptations?
      • Red blood cell: no nucleus, large surface area for O₂ absorption
      • Lymphocyte: involved in immune response, lots of RER
      • Sperm: DNA is highly folded, tail for movement, mitochondria for energy
      • Palisade cell: large surface area, more chloroplasts for light absorption
      • Root hair cell: large surface area for water intake, more mitochondria, no chloroplasts
      • Ciliated epithelial cell: cilia lining maximizes surface area
    • What should you look for to identify changes in cells?
      A change in shade or gain/loss of organelles