cell biology

• What are the two types of cells in living organisms?

  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic
• What type of cells are animal and plant cells?

  They are eukaryotic cells
• What organelles are found in eukaryotic cells?

  • Cell membrane
  • Cytoplasm
  • Nucleus containing DNA
• What type of cells are bacterial cells?

  They are prokaryotic cells
• What organelles do bacterial cells have?

  • Cell wall
  • Cell membrane
  • Cytoplasm
  • Single circular strand of DNA
  • Plasmids
• What are organelles?

  Structures in a cell with different functions
• How do we express size differences using orders of magnitude?

  By powers of ten
• What does it mean if an object is 10 times bigger?

  It is 10$^1$ times bigger
• What is the prefix for 0.01 in measurements?

  Centi
• What is the prefix for 0.001 in measurements?

  Milli
• What is the prefix for 0.000001 in measurements?

  Micro
• What is the prefix for 0.000000001 in measurements?

  Nano
• How do you calculate the size or area of sub-cellular structures?

  • Identify a similar shape (circle or rectangle)
  • Use appropriate formulas (e.g., length x width for rectangles)
• What is differentiation in cells?

  Process of gaining new sub-cellular structures
• What are stem cells?

  Cells that can differentiate throughout life
• What is the function of sperm cells?

  To carry male DNA to the egg cell
• What adaptations do sperm cells have?

  Streamlined head and long tail
• What is the function of nerve cells?

  To transmit electrical signals quickly
• What adaptations do nerve cells have?

  Long axon and many dendrites
• What is the function of mitochondria in nerve cells?

  To supply energy for neurotransmitter production
• What are the functions of the cytoplasm?

  • Liquid substance for chemical reactions
  • Contains enzymes
  • Houses organelles
• What are the functions of the cell membrane?

  • Controls entry and exit of substances
• What are the functions of mitochondria?

  • Site of aerobic respiration
  • Provides energy for the cell
• What are the functions of ribosomes?

  • Site of protein synthesis
  • Found on rough endoplasmic reticulum
• What is the function of chloroplasts?

  Where photosynthesis takes place
• What is the function of the permanent vacuole?

  Contains cell sap and improves rigidity
• What is the function of the cell wall in plants?

  Provides strength to the cell
• What is the function of muscle cells?

  To contract quickly for movement
• What adaptations do muscle cells have?

  Special proteins and many mitochondria
• What is the function of root hair cells?

  To take up water and minerals
• What adaptations do root hair cells have?

  Large surface area due to root hairs
• What is the function of xylem cells?

  To transport water and minerals up the plant
• What happens to xylem cells upon formation?

  They die and become hollow tubes
• What is the function of phloem cells?

  To carry products of photosynthesis
• How do phloem cells allow substance movement?

  Through sieve plates formed by cell walls
• What is the role of stem cells in differentiation?

  They undergo differentiation to form specialised cells
• How do genes affect differentiation?

  They are switched on or off to produce proteins
• What happens to most animal cells after differentiation?

  They lose the ability to differentiate
• How do plants differ in their ability to differentiate?

  Many retain the ability to differentiate throughout life
• What is the purpose of microscopes?

  To enlarge images of small structures