Cell structure

• What is the overall function of the nucleus?

  DNA replication and transcription
• What are the key structures within the nucleus?

  Nuclear envelope, pores, nucleoplasm, chromosomes, nucleolus
• What occurs in the nucleolus?

  RNA production and ribosome assembly
• What distinguishes rough endoplasmic reticulum from smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

  Rough ER has ribosomes on its surface
• What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum?

  Protein synthesis
• What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

  Lipid and carbohydrate synthesis
• What is the structure of the Golgi apparatus?

  Folded membrane in a systemy shape
• What happens to molecules in the Golgi apparatus?

  They are modified and packaged
• What are lysosomes and their function?

  Bags of digestive enzymes for hydrolysis
• What is the role of mitochondria?

  Site of aerobic respiration
• What is the structure of mitochondria?

  Double membrane with folded inner membrane
• What is unique about mitochondrial DNA?

  It is similar to prokaryotic DNA
• What are ribosomes made of?

  rRNA and proteins
• What sizes of ribosomes are found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

  80s in eukaryotes, 70s in prokaryotes
• What is the function of vacuoles in plant cells?

  Provide turgidity and store substances
• What is the role of chloroplasts?

  Site of photosynthesis
• What is the structure of chloroplasts?

  Double membrane with thylakoid membranes
• What are thylakoid membranes involved in?

  Light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis
• What is the function of the cell wall in plant and fungal cells?

  Provide structural strength and prevent bursting
• What is the composition of plant cell walls?

  Cellulose
• What is the composition of fungal cell walls?

  Chitin
• What is the function of the plasma membrane?

  Controls entry and exit of substances
• What are the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles
• What is the structure of viruses?

  Genetic material, capsid, and attachment proteins
• How do viruses replicate?

  Inside host cells by injecting nucleic acid
• What are the methods of studying cells?

  Microscopy, cell fractionation, and ultracentrifugation
• What is the definition of magnification?

  How many times larger the image is
• What determines the resolution of optical microscopes?

  The wavelength of light
• What determines the resolution of electron microscopes?

  The wavelength of the beam of electrons
• Why do electron microscopes have higher resolution than optical microscopes?

  Electrons have shorter wavelengths than light
• What is the difference in image production between optical and electron microscopes?

  Optical uses light, electron uses electrons
• What is the advantage of optical microscopes?

  Can view living samples and produce color images
• What is the disadvantage of electron microscopes?

  Cannot view living samples
• What is the process of cell fractionation?

  Isolating organelles for further study
• Why must the solution be cold during cell fractionation?

  To reduce enzyme activity
• Why must the solution be isotonic during cell fractionation?

  To prevent organelles from bursting or shriveling
• Why must the solution be buffered during cell fractionation?

  To maintain pH and prevent damage
• What is homogenization in cell fractionation?

  Breaking open cells to release contents
• What is ultracentrifugation in cell fractionation?

  Separating organelles based on density
• What is differential centrifugation?

  Spinning samples at different speeds