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General Biology: A Tour of the Cell

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Terms in this set (26)

  • What is the primary function of a microscope?
    A microscope is an optical instrument used to visualize objects too small to be seen by the naked eye, such as cells.
  • Name the two main types of microscopes and their light sources.
    1) Light microscopes use visible light to magnify small objects. 2) Electron microscopes use electron beams for higher magnification.
  • Difference between Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).
    SEM visualizes cell surfaces, while TEM visualizes internal cell structures.
  • What are the two broadest categories of cells?
    Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus; eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
  • Which domains of life are prokaryotic?
    Bacteria and Archaea are prokaryotic domains.
  • Where is bacterial DNA located?
    Bacterial DNA is circular and found in the nucleoid region, not enclosed by a membrane.
  • Key features of eukaryotic cells.
    Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, linear DNA, large (80S) ribosomes, and divide by mitosis and cytokinesis.
  • What is a common feature shared by all cells?
    All cells contain DNA as genetic material, a protective membrane, and cytoplasm.
  • What are ribosomes and their function?
    Ribosomes are molecular machines that synthesize proteins in all living cells.
  • Difference between free and bound ribosomes.
    Free ribosomes float in the cytoplasm; bound ribosomes are attached to the rough ER.
  • What organelles produce cellular energy in eukaryotic cells?
    Mitochondria and chloroplasts produce cellular energy.
  • What is the endomembrane system?
    A group of membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells involved in protein secretion and cellular digestion.
  • Role of the nucleus in protein secretion.
    The nucleus stores DNA and initiates protein synthesis by transcribing DNA into RNA.
  • Functions of rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
    Rough ER has ribosomes and folds/modifies proteins; smooth ER synthesizes lipids and detoxifies drugs.
  • What is the Golgi apparatus and its function?
    The Golgi apparatus processes, sorts, and ships proteins and lipids received from the ER.
  • What are lysosomes and peroxisomes?
    Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes to break down debris; peroxisomes detoxify harmful compounds.
  • Function of the central vacuole in plant cells.
    The central vacuole stores molecules, recycles materials, and maintains turgor pressure.
  • What is ATP and its role?
    ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a high-energy molecule that powers cellular reactions.
  • Describe the structure of mitochondria.
    Mitochondria have two membranes: an outer membrane and a folded inner membrane (cristae), with a matrix containing DNA and enzymes.
  • What is photosynthesis and where does it occur?
    Photosynthesis uses sunlight to synthesize sugars and occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells.
  • Describe the structure of chloroplasts.
    Chloroplasts have two membranes, thylakoid sacs stacked into grana, and a stroma containing DNA and enzymes.
  • What does the endosymbiotic theory propose?
    Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated from free-living bacteria engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells.
  • Three major components of the cytoskeleton.
    Microfilaments (actin), intermediate filaments, and microtubules provide structure, transport, and movement.
  • Difference between cilia and flagella.
    Cilia are short, numerous hair-like structures that move like oars; flagella are longer, whip-like tails for movement.
  • Types of cell junctions in animal cells.
    Tight junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions link adjacent animal cells.
  • What are plasmodesmata?
    Plasmodesmata are channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent plant cells.