the cell

• What is the basic unit of life?

  Cells
• How are cells described in terms of structure?

  Cells are highly structured
• What encloses cells?

  The plasma membrane
• What limits how big a cell can be?

  The volume that can be nourished
• What is the study of cellular structure and function called?

  Cell biology
• What type of organisms are single-celled?

  Yeast
• What do multi-celled organisms have?

  Specialized cells
• How do prokaryotic cells compare to eukaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotic cells are structurally simpler
• What organisms are prokaryotic cells limited to?

  Bacteria and archaea
• What surrounds most prokaryotic cells?

  A rigid cell wall
• What happens to the ratio of surface area to volume as cell size increases?

  The ratio gets smaller
• Why is a larger surface area to volume ratio better for cells?

  It leads to better diffusion rates
• What is the plasma membrane's primary function?

  Controls movement of substances
• What model describes the plasma membrane structure?

  Fluid mosaic model
• What does the plasma membrane's selectively permeable nature mean?

  Some substances can cross freely
• What are the two parts of phospholipids in the plasma membrane?

  Polar head and non-polar tail
• What are the five main components of the plasma membrane?

  Phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, proteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids
• What is the role of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?

  Maintains fluidity of membrane
• What do glycoproteins and glycolipids function as?

  Attachment sites and cell recognition
• What does the plasma membrane separate?

  The inside of the cell from the outside environment
• How do molecules typically move across the plasma membrane?

  From high concentration to low concentration
• What is osmosis?

  Movement of water across a membrane
• What is a hypertonic solution?

  Higher concentration of solutes outside
• What is an isotonic solution?

  Same concentration inside and outside
• What is passive transport?

  Movement that does not require energy
• What is active transport?

  Movement that requires energy
• What is facilitated diffusion?

  Diffusion aided by a carrier protein
• What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

  They link amino acids to form proteins
• What is the function of the Golgi complex?


  Modifies and packages proteins and lipids
• What do lysosomes contain?


  Strong acids and digestive enzymes
• What is Tay-Sachs disease related to?

  Lack of an enzyme in lysosomes
• What do mitochondria produce for the cell?


  Energy in the form of ATP
• What is the cytoskeleton's primary function?

  Maintains cell shape and organization
• What are the three major types of cytoskeleton?

  Microfilaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments
• What is the role of microtubules?


  Tracks for organelle movement and shape
• What is the function of cilia?


  Move back and forth for cell movement
• What is transcription?


  DNA is transcribed to mRNA
• What is translation?


  mRNA is translated into a protein
• Which organisms are examples of prokaryotic organisms?

  Bacteria
• Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?


  False