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Anatomy & Physiology: Cell Structure and Function

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the three basic components shared by most animal cells?

    Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.

  • What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?

    It separates the cell from its environment, provides support, regulates transport, communicates, and identifies the cell.

  • Describe the structure of the plasma membrane according to the fluid mosaic model.

    A dynamic phospholipid bilayer with hydrophilic heads facing water and hydrophobic tails inward, containing proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that move laterally.

  • What roles do integral and peripheral proteins play in the plasma membrane?

    Integral proteins span the membrane; peripheral proteins are on one side. They function as channels, carriers, receptors, enzymes, structural supports, and linkers.

  • What is the difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion?

    Simple diffusion moves nonpolar solutes directly through the bilayer; facilitated diffusion uses channel or carrier proteins for polar or charged solutes.

  • Define osmosis and its direction of water movement.

    Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from low to high solute concentration.

  • What is tonicity and what are the effects of isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions on cells?

    Tonicity describes a solution's effect on cell water movement: Isotonic - no net movement; Hypertonic - cell shrinks; Hypotonic - cell swells and may lyse.

  • What distinguishes primary active transport from secondary active transport?

    Primary active transport uses ATP directly to move substances against gradients; secondary active transport uses gradients created by primary transport to move other substances.

  • Name the processes involved in vesicular transport.

    Endocytosis (phagocytosis and pinocytosis), exocytosis, and transcytosis, all requiring ATP to move large particles or fluids.

  • What is the function of mitochondria in the cell?

    They produce ATP through cellular respiration and contain their own DNA and ribosomes.

  • What are the main functions of the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

    Rough ER synthesizes and folds proteins; smooth ER synthesizes lipids, detoxifies, and stores calcium.

  • What role does the Golgi apparatus play in the cell?

    It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport within or outside the cell.

  • What are lysosomes and their function?

    Organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down macromolecules and worn-out organelles.

  • Describe the cytoskeleton and its three main filament types.

    The cytoskeleton provides support and movement: Actin filaments support shape and contraction, intermediate filaments provide strength, and microtubules maintain shape and move organelles.

  • What are microvilli, cilia, and flagella?

    Microvilli increase surface area for absorption; cilia and flagella are motile structures for movement, composed of microtubules.

  • What is the structure and function of the nucleus?

    Surrounded by a double membrane with pores, it houses DNA, directs cellular functions, and is the site of RNA production.

  • Explain the processes of transcription and translation in protein synthesis.

    Transcription copies DNA into mRNA in the nucleus; translation reads mRNA at ribosomes to synthesize polypeptides.

  • What are the phases of the cell cycle?

    Interphase (G1 growth, S DNA synthesis, G2 preparation) and M phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).

  • List the stages of mitosis and their key events.

    Prophase: chromatin condenses; Metaphase: chromosomes align; Anaphase: chromatids separate; Telophase: nuclear envelope reforms; Cytokinesis: cell divides.

  • What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?

    Benign tumors are non-invasive; malignant tumors invade tissues and can metastasize.