CFA Review Sheet
Basic Concepts:
Organelle: part of a cell. Examples of organelles are mitochondria, chloroplasts, ribosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum.
Function: the purpose of something; what something does; the job of something
Plasma Membrane, Cell Wall, and Cytoplasm:
Plasma membrane: thin layer surrounding the cell that protects the cell and chooses which materials enter and leave (it is semi-permeable; also called selectively permeable)
Cell wall: protects and provides structural support for PLANT cells. Made up of the carbohydrate (sugar molecule) cellulose.
Cellulose: a carbohydrate (sugar molecule) that makes up the cell walls of plants, thereby providing structural support for the plants.
Cytoplasm: a jelly like fluid (cytosol) plus all the organelles in a cell (except the nucleus). The cytoplasm is in constant motion (never stops moving).
Cytosol: a jelly like fluid in the cytoplasm that provides the organelles with water and nutrients.
Cytoskeleton: protein fibers that act like a “skeleton,” helping the cell maintain its shape
Fluid material: liquid. For example, the cytoplasm is made up mostly of fluid material.
The Nucleus and Cell Division:
Nucleus: contains the cell’s DNA (instructions for making protein) and is therefore the control center of the cell.
DNA: a long molecule found in the nucleus of a cell that contains instructions for making protein; the DNA contains the cell’s genes, and the genes tell the cell which proteins to make
Chromosome: a single long molecule of DNA. One chromosome is usually attached to another in the nucleus. The two chromosomes separate during cell division when they are pulled apart by the centrioles (which tug on the microtubules that make up the spindle).
Microtubules: thin long structures that provide structural support for the cell and make up the spindle that the centrioles tug on to separate chromosomes during cell division.
Structural support: helping to maintain the structure of something. For example, microtubules help provide structural support for the cell.
Centrioles: make the microtubules (which form the spindle) and help separate the chromosomes during cell division.
Nucleolus: a small round structure found in the nucleus. Contains lots of DNA and makes ribosomes.
Protein Synthesis and Distribution:
Protein: one of the four major macromolecules used by cells (the other three are carbohydrate, fats, and nucleic acids). Proteins are extremely important because they make up our body parts (muscles, bones, organs) and are also the building blocks for important molecules called enzymes (which put together and break down other molecules).
Protein synthesis: the making of proteins. DNA à RNA à Protein. The instructions of DNA are transcribed into RNA, and then RNA is translated into protein. With the help of ribosomes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum performs protein synthesis.
Transcription: the process that turns DNA into RNA. Happens inside the nucleus. RNA is a copy of DNA. This is the first stage of protein synthesis.
Translation: the process that turns RNA into protein. Ribsomes perform translation, and turn RNA into protein. That’s why ribsomes are called the protein builders.
Ribosome: protein builders of the cell, found either in the cytoplasm or on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Translate RNA into protein.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: the site of protein synthesis, with the help of ribsomes.
Nucleolus: a small round structure found in the nucleus. Contains lots of DNA and makes ribosomes.
Site: location where something occurs. For example, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is the site of protein synthesis.
Transport system: a system that moves things. For example, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is also a transport system for proteins in the cell.
Golgi body: modifies (changes), stores, packages, and distributes proteins within a cell.
Modify: change. For example, the golgi bodies (golgi apparatus) modify proteins.
Distribute: to separate and then send to different places. For example, after modifying proteins, the golgi bodies distribute the proteins to different parts of the cell in vesicles.
Vesicle: A bubble like structure that is used to transport molecules like proteins.
Cellular Metabolism (Respiration and Photosynthesis):
Mitochondria: the “powerhouse” of a cell. The mitochondria perform respiration, which takes glucose apart to get energy (with the help of oxygen). So the mitochondria provide energy for the cell.
Photosynthesis: the form of metabolism that plants use to make glucose (energy) using the Sun’s light energy. Photosynthesis happens in the chloroplasts of plants cells. Specifically, photosynthesis happens in the chlorophyll (green fluid) of the chloroplasts.
Chloroplast: the organelle in plant cells that performs photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll: the green fluid found in the chloroplasts. Photosynthesis occurs in the chlorophyll of chloroplasts.
Storage, Digestion, and Poison Removal:
Vacuole: a hollow structures used for the temporary storage of cellular materials. Oftentimes, vacuoles are used to store food and water for the cell.
Digestive enzymes: enzymes that help break down food for the cell, so that the cell can get nutrients. For example, the lysosomes contain digestive enzymes.
Excess: unnecessary. For example, the lysosome break down excess cell parts – or organelles that the cell no longer needs.
Engulfs: surrounds and digests. For example, the lysosomes engulf viruses and bacteria.
Viruses: super tiny non-living germs that can enter and kill cells. Lysosomes destroy viruses.
Bacteria: tiny, living germs that can enter and kill cells. Lysosomes destroy bacteria.
Lysosome: an organelle that gets rid of excess organelles, digests food, and engulfs viruses and bacteria.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: makes lipids (fats) and gets rid of (neutralizes) poisons. The smooth ER does this by forming vesicles – the membranes of the vesicles are made of lipids, and the vesicles carry poisons out of the cell.
Lipids: fats and oils, which are macromolecules that are used to store energy and make up the cell membrane (phospholipids). Lipids are manufactured by the smooth endoplasmic reticulum when it forms vesicles. When the vesicles empty their poisons out of the cell membrane, the vesicles merge with the cell membrane. The lipids in the vesicles then become part of the lipids in the cell membrane.
Vesicle: A bubble-like structure (made of lipids) that is used to transport molecules.
Neutralize: get rid of or make less poisonous. For example, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum neutralizes poisons.
Very Important Concepts:
Structures found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells:
1) Cell wall – surrounds and protects the cells of plants (by allowing almost nothing to enter) and provides the plants with structural support. The cell wall is make up of the polysaccharide cellulose, which is found only in plants. Animal cells do NOT have cells walls; they only have a cell membrane, which will let certain things in.
2) Chloroplasts – the site of photosynthesis in plant cells. Animals do NOT perform photosynthesis, so animal cells do NOT have chloroplasts.
Three main points of Cell Theory:
1) All living things are made of cells. So if something is not made of cells, it is NOT alive. For example, the Sun is not made of cells. So the Sun is not alive. On the other hand, bacteria is a single cell – bacteria is alive. Humans are made of lots of cells – we are alive.
2) Cells are the basic unit of structure and function of all living things.
· Basic unit of structure: this means that all of our body parts are made up of cells. In other words, our structure is made of cells.
· Basic unit of function: this means that everything that happens in our body actually happens in our cells. All of our bodily functions happen in our cells.
3) All cells came from pre-existing cells. This means that all cells had parent cells that existed before them. No cell was ever just formed out of nonliving stuff (except for the very first cell that every existed).
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