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Anatomy & Physiology: The Cell and Its Components

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Terms in this set (26)

  • What is the basic building block of the body?
    The cell is the basic building block and the smallest unit of life in the body.
  • Name the main components of a cell.
    A cell is comprised of the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles such as ribosomes, mitochondria, and lysosomes.
  • What is the function of the plasma membrane?
    The plasma membrane encloses cell contents and separates the intracellular fluid from the extracellular fluid.
  • Describe the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane.
    It consists of polar phosphate head groups facing water inside and outside the cell, and two non-polar fatty acid tails facing inward, protected from water.
  • What role does cholesterol play in the plasma membrane?
    Cholesterol stabilizes the plasma membrane, especially during temperature changes.
  • Differentiate between transmembrane and peripheral membrane proteins.
    Transmembrane proteins span the entire membrane, while peripheral proteins attach to either the inner or outer membrane surface.
  • What functions do membrane proteins serve?
    Membrane proteins act as channels, receptors, and enzymes.
  • Where are membrane carbohydrates located and what is their function?
    Membrane carbohydrates are only on the outer membrane surface and function in cell-to-cell recognition.
  • What are glycoproteins and glycolipids?
    Glycoproteins are carbohydrates attached to proteins; glycolipids are carbohydrates attached to lipids on the membrane surface.
  • What is the function of microvilli on the plasma membrane?
    Microvilli are folds that increase surface area, important for nutrient absorption.
  • What is cytoplasm composed of?
    Cytoplasm includes the cytosol (viscous fluid) and organelles, filling the space between the plasma membrane and nucleus.
  • What ions and molecules are found dissolved in the cytosol?
    Cytosol contains water, ions like Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+, suspended carbohydrates, lipids, and sometimes melanin granules.
  • Name the non-membranous organelles in the cytoplasm.
    Non-membranous organelles include ribosomes, centrosomes, centrioles, and the cytoskeleton.
  • What is the role of ribosomes?
    Ribosomes synthesize proteins and can be free in the cytosol or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
  • Describe the centrosome and centrioles.
    The centrosome is near the nucleus, containing a matrix and two centrioles, which are cylindrical microtubule structures that direct chromosome movement during cell division.
  • What are the three types of cytoskeletal protein rods?
    Microfilaments (actin), intermediate filaments (tissue-specific), and microtubules (tubulin).
  • Functions of microfilaments?
    Microfilaments maintain cell shape, enable muscle contraction, and support cell movement.
  • Functions of intermediate filaments?
    Intermediate filaments support the cytoplasm and vary by tissue type.
  • Functions of microtubules?
    Microtubules anchor and move organelles, form centrioles, flagella, cilia, and the spindle apparatus during cell division.
  • What are membranous organelles?
    Organelles surrounded by membranes, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes.
  • Describe mitochondria.
    Mitochondria have a double membrane, produce ATP, and contain their own DNA, RNA, proteins, and enzymes.
  • Differentiate rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
    Rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis; smooth ER stores calcium, detoxifies substances, and synthesizes lipids.
  • What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?
    The Golgi modifies proteins, adds carbohydrates to form glycoproteins, and packages proteins into vesicles for transport or secretion.
  • What is the nucleus and its main features?
    The nucleus is the cell's control center, surrounded by a double membrane with pores, containing chromatin and the nucleolus.
  • What is the nucleolus?
    The nucleolus is inside the nucleus, not membrane-bound, and is the site of ribosome assembly.
  • Describe the two forms of chromosomes in the nucleus.
    Chromosomes appear as thread-like chromatin in non-dividing cells and as condensed, coiled chromosomes in dividing cells.