PROKARYOTE VS. EUKARYOTE
What do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have in common?
Both cell types share fundamental components necessary for life:
What are organelles?
They are specialized structures within a cell that perform essential functions, compartmentalizing the cell's activities.
What is Osmosis?
The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from high water concentration (low solute) to low water concentration (high solute).
What is Osmosis?
The movement of water molecules from a high water potential (dilute solution) to a low water potential (concentrated solution) through a semi-permeable membrane.
What is the main function of photosynthesis?
to capture light energy (from the sun) and convert it into chemical energy (glucose/sugar) for the plant's food, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
What are the main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Nucleus, Organelles, Size, DNA, and Complexity.
What is the "powerhouse of the cell"?
The Mitochondrion, as it generates most of the cell's energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.
What is Active Transport?
Movement of substances against their concentration gradient (low to high) using cellular energy (ATP), often via protein pumps (e.g., Sodium-Potassium Pump).
What is Hypertonic Solution (high solute outside.
Water leaves the cell. Both animal and plant cells shrink (crenation in animals, plasmolysis in plants).
Where does photosynthesis occur?
In the chloroplasts of plant cells (and some algae/bacteria).
How do they differ in size and complexity?
Eukaryotic cells are typically much larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, simpler, and are considered the earliest life forms.
Where are proteins made?
By Ribosomes, which can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
What are protein pumps?
Carrier proteins that use ATP to move ions (like Na+, K+) or molecules against their gradient.
Why does osmosis happen?
Water moves down its concentration gradient, aiming to equalize solute concentrations on both sides.
What is the main function of cellular respiration?
To break down glucose (food) using oxygen to release stored chemical energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell's energy currency, producing CO2 and water.
What are some examples of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes include all bacteria and archaea.
Eukaryotes include animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
What does the Golgi Apparatus do?
It modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport, like a cellular post office.
What is homeostasis?
Maintaining a stable internal environment, which cell transport helps achieve by regulating internal concentrations.
What's the difference between osmosis and diffusion?
Diffusion is the movement of any molecule down a concentration gradient; osmosis is specifically the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.
Where does cellular respiration occur?
It begins in the cytoplasm (glycolysis) and finishes in the mitochondria (Krebs Cycle, Electron Transport Chain).
What's the fundamental difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
The presence of a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes have them (DNA in nucleus), prokaryotes don't (DNA in cytoplasm).
What's the difference between Rough ER and Smooth ER?
Rough ER has ribosomes and modifies proteins; Smooth ER makes lipids (fats) and detoxifies the cell.
What is Facilitated Diffusion?
Movement of substances (like glucose) down their gradient with the help of channel or carrier proteins in the membrane.
what is Semi-permeable Membrane?
A barrier (like a cell membrane) that lets small water molecules pass but blocks larger solute particles (like salt, sugar).
How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?
They are opposite, complementary processes that cycle matter (CO2, O2, water) and energy through ecosystems; photosynthesis makes food and oxygen, while respiration uses them to get energy.