Cell Basics
The two main categories of cells
prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells
Subcellular structures found mostly in eukaryotic cells that have specific functions
organelles
Small container-like structures that are made of membrane and transport materials around eukaryotic cells
vesicles
As cells grow larger, which part of their structure gets larger faster, their surface area or their volume?
volume
The main molecule in plasma membranes
phospholipids
Briefly explain what homeostasis is.
Homeostasis is the tendency of living things to seek internal stability.
This type of cell was the first to evolve on Earth
prokaryotic cells
This organelle contains a green pigment called chlorophyll
chloroplasts
Which biomolecule does the most work for cells?
proteins
Smaller cells have a higher surface area to volume ______, which makes them more ______ at moving cell materials into the cell and wastes out of the cell.
ratio, efficient
Identify the chemical and physical properties of substances that can pass directly through the plasma membrane.
small
non-polar
hydrophobic
uncharged/not ionic
Identify the shape that is best suited for each cell function:
communication:
storage:
communication: cylindrical cells
storage: spherical or cubic cells
Identify three structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic: smaller, simpler, no nucleus, no membrane-enclosed organelles
Eukaryotic: larger, more complex, have nucleus, have membrane-enclosed organelles
These organelles are the site or protein synthesis and can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
ribosomes
Identify three characteristics of life that cells perform.
energy use
reproduction
heredity
responsiveness
evolution
homeostasis
Of the three cells' surface area to volume ratios listed below, which will be the most efficient?
10:1
15:1
50:1
50:1
Point donation
Plasma membranes automatically form a ______ because of each phospholipid's ________ chemical properties.
bilayer, amphipathic
Identify the meaning of the following prefixes:
cyto =
endo =
bi =
cyto = cell
endo = inside
bi = two
Point donation
Identify three subcellular structures found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. (I'm not asking for biomolecules here.)
plasma membranes, cytoplasm, ribosomes
Point donation
Plant cells contain these two organelles which animal cells do not.
cell wall, chloroplast
1. Identify the name of the system of organelles and vesicles inside of eukaryotic cells that act as a packaging and shipping system for important biomolecules like proteins and lipids.
2. Identify two organelles that are part of the cell system referred to in the previous question.
1. endomembrane system
2. nuclear membrane (envelope), rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, cell membrane
Calculate the surface area, volume and surface area to volume ratio of a cubic cell with 12 nm sides. Include the appropriate units and round your answer to the nearest whole number or tenth. Ratio should be in simplest form.
Surface area = 864 nm2
Volume = 1728 nm3
SA:V ratio = 0.5:1
Identify the chemical and physical properties of substances that cannot pass directly through the plasma membrane.
large
polar
hydrophilic
charged/ionic
Identify the meanings of the following units of measurement:
mm =
μm =
nm =
mm = millimeters
μm = micrometers
nm = nanometers
Identify which biological macromolecules can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
All of them: nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates
Many organelles have highly folded membrane structures. What does this structure do for the organelle?
It increases the organelle's surface area.
compartmentalization
Calculate the surface area, volume and surface area to volume ratio of a spherical cell with a diameter of 2 μm. Round to the nearest tenth and include the appropriate units. Ratio should be in simplest form.
surface area = 12.6 μm2
volume = 4.2 μm3
SA:V ratio = 3:1
Point donation
Briefly describe why plasma membranes are selectively permeable.
Plasma membranes are selectively permeable because they only allow some substances to pass through them.
Identify three types of cells that have cell walls.
plant cells
fungal cells
prokaryotic (bacterial) cells