Cell theory
- All living things are made up of cells
- Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things
- New cells are produced from pre-existing cells (via mitosis/ cell division)
IMPORTANCE: it allows us to understand how living things are created, grow, and die.
Role of Microscope
- Cells were discovered via microscope (by Robert Hooke)
-Most microscopes use lenses to magnify the image of an object by focusing light or electrons.
Compound Light Microscope
Light passes through an object and two lenses
Electron Microscopes
Use beams of electrons instead of light. This allows for much clearer and more detailed imaging for the study of smaller things.
1) Transmission electron microscopes produce flat, two-dimensional images.
2) Scanning electron microscopes
produce three-dimensional images of the specimen’s surface.
Difference Between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Nucleus: Prokaryotic are cells which don’t have a nucleus, while Eukaryotic cells do.
Complexity: Eukaryotic cells typically are more complex and specialized as they evolved from prokaryotic cells
However, they both carry out essential processes of life (growth, reproduction, response to stimuli) and contain genetic material
Animal and Plant Cell Comparison
Similarity: Both have DNA, cytoplasm, + cell membrane. They also both have a nucleus, allowing for both cells to contain and protect its DNA.
Difference: Plant cells have a rigid and organized cell wall while animal cells have a more flexible cell membrane - these different structures allow for both cells to regulate their intake of nutrients and water from outside of the cell in their different ways.
- animals have lysosomes
- plants have chloroplasts + larger central vacuole to store its nutrients
Nucleus Function + Structure
Function:
-AKA “control center” -
Houses DNA
-Where protein synthesis begins - help ribosomes in their protein-making process by turning DNA that enters into RNA that exits.
Structure: Has its own “membrane” known as the nuclear envelope and -has a nucleolus where ribosomes are made
Vacuole Role
Organelle that stores materials in the cell
Store: water, salts, proteins and carbohydrates
Lysosomes Role
AKA “cleanup crew”
Smaller organelles that contain digestive enzymes that break down macromolecules into smaller molecules that can be easily used by the cell
Smooth ER (endoplasmic reticulum) Role
-NOT involved in making proteins (and therefore DOES NOT have ribosomes attached to its surface).
-Involved in making lipid components for cell membrane.
Cytoskeleton Role
Helps the cell maintain its shape and allows for movement. (Similar to a beam that holds up a roof in a house)
Ribosome Role
Once RNA transfers into the ribosomes, they make proteins based on DNA’s instructions.
Rough ER (endoplasmic reticulum) Role
- Where proteins are made (has ribosomes attached to it).
- These proteins then go trough the Rough ER to be further made (chemically modified).
Golgi Apparatus Role
Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials from the ER .
Proteins are brought in a vesicle from the rough ER.
Golgi adds the “final touches” to these proteins.
Transport Vesicle Role
-Move molecules between organelles.
Specifically: They ships the vesicles from Golgi in their final destination, in, or out of the cell.
Chloroplast Function
PLANT ONLY
Captures the energy from the sunlight and converts it into glucose (food )
(AKA: photosynthesis!)
Mitochondria Function
Known as the “powerhouse of the cell”
Converts chemical energy stored in food into energy that is more convenient for the cell to use (ATP) - where cellular respiration happens!
Cell Membrane Function
Regulates what enters and leaves the cell, protecting and supporting it.
Cell Wall + Cell Membrane Comparison
Cell wall - rigid, organized (only plant)
Cell membrane - flexible (both)
Protein Production
- Nucleus - protein synthesis begins, DNA → RNA
- Ribosome - make proteins
-Rough ER - proteins that go through are chemically modified
-Golgi apparatus - to proteins are brought by the Rough ER for it to add “final touches” to them.
-Transport vescicle - spread protein
Energy Production
-Mitochondria - chemical energy in food to ATP (energy more convienent to cell)
-Chloroplast - captures energy in sunlight converts to glucose
Cell Barriers
-Cell membrane
-Cell wall
Cell Structure
-Cytoskeleton
Storage
-Storage vesicles
-Central vacuole
-Lysosomes
