compendium 2

• What is a cell?

  basic structural & functional unit of all living things
• What are the four functional characteristics of a cell?

  cell metabolism, synthesis of molecules, communication, reproduction/inheritance
• What are the three functions of the plasma membrane?

  encloses/supports cellular contents, controls what goes into & out of cell, inter-cellular communication
• What is the main structure of the plasma membrane?

  lipid bilayer containing phospholipids & cholesterol
• What is the glycocalyx of the plasma membrane and what does it contain?

  outer surface of membrane, contains glycoproteins, glycolipids & carbohydrates
• What is the cytoplasm?

  Cellular fluid material outside of nucleus but within plasma membrane
• What does the cytoplasm contain?

  organelles & cytosol
• What is the cytosol within the cytoplasm comprised of?

  cytoplasmic inclusions (chemicals) & cytoskeleton (proteins)
• What are the three proteins that make up the cytoskeleton and what is the cytoskeletons role?

  microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments. role is support, changes shape of cell & movement of organelles
• What are the two functions of the nucleus?

  control centre of cell, contains DNA
• What are the three components of the nucleus?

  nuclear envelope, nucleoplasm, nucleolus
• What is the function of ribosomes?

  site of protein synthesis
• What two types of endoplasmic reticulum are there and what do they do?

  rough ER (synthesis & modification of proteins), smooth ER (site of lipid, steroid, carb synthesis, detoxification, breakdown glycogen to glucose)
• What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

  modifies, packages & distributes proteins & lipids made in rough ER via transport vesicles
• What two structures does the Golgi apparatus contain?

  Cisternae (fluid filled spaces) & secretory vesicles
• What is the function of lysosomes?

  digestion of molecules that are no longer needed
• What is the function of the mitochondria?

  ATP production & supply
• What components are within the mitochondria?

  outer membrane, intermembrane space, inner membrane, matrix
• What is the function of centrioles?

  cell division
• What is the function of cilia and what is their structure?

  whip-like, motile cellular extensions which project from certain cells. allows movement of substances across surface of cells
• What is the function of flagella and what is their structure?

  similar to cilia but longer. allows to move the cell itself, only found in sperm
• What is the function of microvilli?

  increases cell surface area
• What is histology?

  study of tissues
• What is H&E and what does it do?

  haemotoxylin & eosin. H stains nucleus purple, E stains structures pink
• What are the four primary tissue types and what is one word to describe each?


  epithelial (covers), connective (support), muscle (movement), nervous (control)
• What are the four characteristics of epithelial tissue?

  covers/lines/protects, avascular, innervated, ability to regenerate
• What are the three distinct surfaces of epithelial tissue?

  free surface, lateral surface, basal surface
• What are eight functions of connective tissue?

  connects, supports, strengthens, protects, insulates, compartmentalises, transports, provides energy
• What are the three main components of connective tissues?

  cells, ground substance (extracellular matrix), fibres
• What are the three types of fibres found in connective tissue?

  collagen, elastic, reticular
• What are the five types of cells found in connective tissues and what is each one responsible for?

  adipose (energy, cushioning), fibroblasts (secrete fibres/ground substance), mast cells (immunity), white blood cells (repair, fight infection), macrophages (consume foreign molecules)
• What are the four classes of connective tissue?

  connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, blood
• What are the two types of connective tissue proper?

  dense & loose
• What are the three types of dense connective tissue proper, what is each responsible for and an example of each?

  regular (attachment - tendons), irregular (strength/stretching - skins dermis), elastic (recoil/strength - artery walls)
• What are the three types of loose connective tissue proper, what is each one responsible for and an example of each?

  areolar (support/binding other tissues - ct epithelia skin sits on), adipose (nutrient storing/shock absorption/protection/insulation - kidney), reticular (framework to support free blood cells - bone marrow)
• What are two properties of cartilage?

  Avascular, not innervated
• What are four functions of cartilage?

  protection, flexibility, rigidity, withstand pressure
• What are the three types of cartilage and an example of where each is found?

  hyaline (trachea), fibrocartilage (intervertebral discs), elastic (ear)
• What are the two types of bone?

  spongy, compact
• What are the three functions of blood?

  transport of nutrients, wastes & gases