Cell Biology

    Cards (29)

    • If two objects are the same size, they have the same order of magnitude
    • 1 order of magnitude = 10x
      EXAMPLE: if a pineapple is 10x larger than a lemon, the pineapple is 1 order of magnitude larger than the lemon
    • 2 orders of magnitude = 100x
      EXAMPLE: If a dog is 100x the size of a woodlouse, the dog is 2 orders of magnitude larger than the woodlouse
    • Animal cells are eukaryotes as their genetic material is enclosed in a nucleus
    • Nucleus - encloses genetic material (DNA)
    • Cytoplasm - a watery solution where chemical reactions take place
    • Cell membrane - controls the molecules that can enter or leave the cell
    • Mitochondria - where aerobic respiration takes place
    • Ribosomes - sites of protein synthesis (also very small and can only be seen through an electron microscope)
    • Plant cells have a regular shape
    • Chloroplasts - contain chlorophyll and are the sites of photosynthesis
    • Cell wall - made from cellulose and strengthens the cell
    • Vacuole - helps give the plant cell its shape and is filled with a liquid called cell sap
    • Most animal cells are specialised, meaning they have adaptations to help carry out their function
    • When a cell becomes specialised, it is called differentiation
    • The job of a sperm cell is to join with an egg cell (ovum), in a process we call fertilisation
    • During fertilisation, the genetic information of the sperm cell and the egg cell combine, and the sperm cell has special adaptations to help this process
    • Sperm cells contain their genetic information in the nucleus. However, they have only half the genetic information of a normal adult cell
    • Sperm cells have a long tail which allows them to swim to the egg cell. The tail is streamlined to make this easier
    • Sperm cells have lots of mitochondria, which provides the energy needed for swimming
    • Sperm cells contain enzymes, which allow them to digest through the outer layer of the egg cell
    • The function of a nerve cell is to send electrical impulses around the body
    • The axon carries the electrical impulses from one part of the body to another
    • Myelin insulates the axon and speeds up the transmission of nerve impulses
    • On the end of the axon, there are synapses, which are junctions which allow the impulse to pass from one nerve cell to another
    • Dendrites increase the surface area so that other nerve cells can connect more easily
    • Muscle cells contain protein fibres which can change their length. When a muscle cell contracts their protein fibres shorten, which decrease the length of the cell
    • Muscle cells also have lots of mitochondria which provide energy for muscle contraction
    • Muscle cells work together to form muscle tissue
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