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Anatomy & Physiology: Cell and Skin Structure Basics

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Terms in this set (24)

  • What are the three main layers of the skin?
    Epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
  • What is the primary function of the epidermis?
    Acts as a protective barrier made mostly of keratin and has 5 strata layers.
  • Name the five strata of the epidermis.
    Basale, spinosum, granulosum, thick skin, and corneum.
  • What is the main role of the dermis?
    Provides a strong bond that ties the body together, regulates body temperature, and controls blood flow.
  • What is the hypodermis and its function?
    Anchors the skin to adipose tissue, insulates against temperature changes, and is soft and squishy.
  • What is the nucleus and its main function?
    The largest organelle in the cell; acts as the control center containing DNA.
  • What is the function of the nucleolus?
    Dense structure inside the nucleus that makes and programs ribosomes.
  • What is chromatin?
    A combination of protein and DNA located inside the nucleus.
  • What is the plasma membrane?
    The cell boundary that protects the cell and controls transport of substances in and out.
  • What does it mean that the plasma membrane is selectively permeable?
    It allows some substances like oxygen to pass but blocks others, especially large organisms.
  • What are the main components of the plasma membrane?
    A bilayer of phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
  • What is cytoplasm?
    The jelly-like space between the nucleus and plasma membrane, mostly water with dissolved substances.
  • What are the contents of the cytoplasm?
    Cytosol (liquid part), inclusions (storage), and organelles (cell metabolism).
  • What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)?
    No ribosomes; provides materials to repair the cell.
  • What is the function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
    Has ribosomes; responsible for intracellular transportation and protein synthesis.
  • Why is the rough endoplasmic reticulum called 'rough'?
    Because it contains ribosomes on its surface.
  • What are ribosomes and their function?
    Structures made of rRNA and proteins; they synthesize proteins.
  • Where are ribosomes found?
    Free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
  • What is the mitochondrion and its main function?
    Oval organelle with folded inner membrane (cristae); produces energy (ATP) for the cell.
  • What is ATP?
    Adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of the cell.
  • What is the Golgi apparatus and its functions?
    Flat sacs between plasma membrane and RER; quality control, packaging, and extracellular transport of proteins.
  • Which structure controls transportation of substances into or out of the cell?
    The plasma membrane.
  • Which structure is responsible for intracellular transportation of substances?
    The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).
  • Which structure is responsible for extracellular transportation of substances?
    The Golgi apparatus.