Gen Bio 1

• Nucleus

  Command and control center of the cell, tells the cell what to do, how to grow, what proteins to make, what lipids to produce
• Chromatin

  Long strands of DNA in the nucleus, the instruction manual or blueprint of the cell, stores the genetic information
• Nucleolus

  Creates ribosomal RNA to make ribosomes
• Ribosomes

  Make proteins, consist of ribosomal RNA and proteins
• Protein synthesis

  Nucleus sends mRNA (messenger RNA) carrying instructions to ribosomes to make specific proteins needed by the cell
• Nuclear envelope

  Membrane surrounding the nucleus, has nuclear pores that allow things to go in and out of the nucleus
• Types of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

  • Rough ER
  • Smooth ER
• Rough ER

  Contains ribosomes, assists in protein production
• Smooth ER

  Does not contain ribosomes, produces lipids, cholesterol, hormones, assists in detoxification
• Protein transport and modification

  1. Proteins made in rough ER are enclosed in vesicles and transported to Golgi body

  2. Golgi body modifies proteins by adding lipids and carbs, can also fold proteins

  3. Modified proteins are exported out of the cell
• Mitochondria

  Has its own DNA, performs cellular respiration to convert energy in fats and carbs to ATP
• Lysosomes

  Break down food, contain digestive enzymes, can destroy pathogens in white blood cells
• Cytoplasm

  Jelly-like fluid in the cell that dissolves the organelles, contains solutes like salts, electrolytes, carbohydrates, lipids, free-floating ribosomes
• Cytoskeleton

  Maintains cell shape and provides structural support, consists of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments
• Microtubules

  Largest of the cytoskeleton fibers, made of tubulin protein, provide structural support and transportation services
• Microfilaments

  Smallest of the cytoskeleton fibers, made of actin protein, involved in cell movement and elongation
• Intermediate filaments

  Provide mechanical support to the cell, in between microtubules and microfilaments in size
• Centrioles

  Active during cell division, form the mitotic spindle that pulls apart chromosomes
• Chromosomes

  Condensed version of chromatin, form during cell division
• Cilia and flagella

  Hair-like and whip-like structures made of microtubules, involved in cell movement
• Vacuole

  (in plant cells) Stores water and nutrients, provides structural support through hydrostatic pressure
• Chloroplast

  (in plant cells) Contains chlorophyll, involved in photosynthesis
• Cell wall

  (in plant cells) Provides structural support, not present in animal cells
• Cell membrane

  Phospholipid bilayer with selective permeability, allows some things to enter while blocking others
• Small molecules like oxygen and water can diffuse through the cell membrane, while large molecules and ions need to go through protein channels
• Cells


  The smallest living units of an organism
• Things all cells have in common

  • Cell membrane
  • Cytoplasm
  • DNA
• Eukaryotic cells


  • Have organelles, including nucleus
  • More advanced complex cells, such as those found in plants and animals
• Prokaryotic cells


  • Don't have a nucleus or membrane-enclosed organelles
  • Have genetic material not contained within a nucleus
  • Always one-celled or unicellular organisms, such as bacteria
• Organelles


  Specialized parts of a cell that have unique jobs to perform
• Nucleus


  • Control center of the cell
  • Contains DNA or genetic material
  • DNA dictates what the cell will do and how
  • Contains a nucleolus where ribosomes are made
• Chromatin


  Tangled, spread-out form of DNA found inside the nuclear membrane
• Chromosomes


  Structures DNA condenses into when a cell is ready to divide
• Cytoplasm


  Jelly-like substance that organelles float around in
• Ribosomes


  • May wander freely in cytoplasm or attach to endoplasmic reticulum
  • Have the job of synthesizing or making proteins
• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)


  • Membrane-enclosed passageway for transporting materials
  • Two types: rough ER has ribosomes attached, smooth ER doesn't
• Golgi apparatus


  • Receives proteins and other materials from ER
  • Customizes proteins into usable forms by folding or adding materials like lipids or carbohydrates
• Vacuoles


  • Sac-like structures that store different materials, like water in plant cells
• Lysosomes


  • Garbage collectors that break down damaged or worn-out cell parts
• Mitochondria


  • Powerhouse of both animal and plant cells
  • Make ATP molecules that provide energy for cell activities
  • Cells that need more energy have more mitochondria