Booklet 1 - Cell Structure and Metabolism

• levels of organisation


  cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism
• cell


  basic unit of life
• tissue


  groups of similar cells with a common function
• organ


  group of two or more tissues with a common function
• organ system


  related organs that have a common function
• organism


  the living individual
• respiratory system function


  to deliver oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from tissues
• digestive system function


  to breakdown and absorb nutrients
• reproductive system function


  to produce offspring
• excretory system function


  removes waste
• skeletal system function


  supports body, protects organs
• nervous system function


  senses the environment
• circulatory system function


  transport nutrients to cells and removes waste
• specialisation


  the adaption of a cell or organ to serve a special function to suit a particular way of life
• organelle 


  'little organ' within the cell
• cell membrane structure


  the membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded protein molecules
• cell membrane function


  outer covering to the cell that controls which substances may enter or leave a cell, it maintains cell integrity; keeps cytoplasm from external environment
• nucleus structure


  a large, circular organelle surrounded by a double membrane which keeps its contents separate from the cytoplasm, the membrane has many pores to allow for the movement of materials in and out of the nucleus
• nucleus function


  holds the genetic material (DNA/chromosomes)
• nucleolus structure


  a small circular section within the nucleus
• nucleolus function


  holds RNA, which plays a role in protein synthesis
• mitochondria structure


  usually rod shaped with an inner folded membrane (cristae) to increase the surface area
• mitochondria function


  converts glucose to a form of energy called ATP in the process of cellular respiration
• endoplasmic reticulum structure


  a highly folded membrane structure that is continuous with the nuclear membrane
• rough endoplasmic reticulum structure


  has many attached ribosomes
• rough endoplasmic reticulum function


  where protein synthesis occurs
• smooth endoplasmic reticulum function


  involved in lipid metabolism, synthesis of steroid hormones, detoxification of drugs
• ribosomes structure


  small, sphere like structures found either attached to the membranes of the rough ER, or free floating within the cytoplasm
• ribosomes function


  functions in the translation phase in protein synthesis
• golgi apparatus structure


  flat, plate like sacs with surrounding vesicles
• golgli apparatus function


  functions to package, modify, store and secrete cellular products such as hormones and proteins
• centrioles structure


  composed of two sets of microtubules set at right angles to each other
• centrioles function


  they organise the formation of spindles which are involved in the separation of the chromatids during mitosis
• lysosomes structure


  a membrane bound bag (vesicle) full of digestive enzymes
• lysosomes function


  involved in the destruction of foreign bodies including bacteria and unwanted organelles within the cell
• semi permeable


  the membrane only allows particular molecules to move in and out of the cells
• fluid mosaic model


  fluid - phospholipids and proteins can move freely from side to side in the membrane

  mosaic - made of multiple components such as proteins, cholesterol and phospholipids
• scanning objective lens


  4x / 40x
• low power objective lens


  10x / 100x
• high power objective lens 


  40x / 400x