Cells As The Basis of Life Study Notes
Cells As The Basis of Life Study Notes
Cells As The Basis of Life Study Notes
Cell Structure
Prokaryotic cells
Unicellular
Lacks membrane bound organelles
Cell wall
Extremophiles
Asexual reproduction
Small (0.1-5mm)
2 types:
- Bacteria
- Archaea
Eukaryotic cells
Microscopes
Light microscope
Electron microscope
Units of measurement
Organelles
Nucleus
Ribosome
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
Centriole
Vacuole
Plastid
Chloroplast
Cell wall
Cilium or flagellum
Nucleoid
The space within a prokaryotic cell where the genetic information, called genophore, is found
Irregularly shaped region
Acts as the nucleus in a bacteria cell however not membrane-bound
Cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton
Cell Membrane
Fluid mosaic model = current model, proposed by Singer and Nicholson in 1972
Functions
Encloses cell
Controls movement between extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid (cytosol)
Communication with other cells, cell recognition
Isolate the cell’s contents from the external environment
Regulate traffic in and out of the cell
Structure
Phospholipid bilayer
Two organic compounds:
- Polar – hydrophilic phosphate head (water loving) on outside
- Non polar – two hydrophobic fatty acid tails (water fearing) on inside
Can change shape and move
Selectively (or semi) permeable membrane – selective with what comes in and out of a cell
Large protein molecules embedded in the bilayer – Acts as channels for the passive and active movement of
certain molecules in and out of the cell through the cell membrane
Short carbohydrate molecules attached to the outside of the membrane – cell adhesion and cell recognition.
It also recognises antibodies, hormones and viruses.
Scattered cholesterol – Gives the cell membrane extra support and stability
Glycoproteins = recognition and immune response recognise pathogens and unwanted materials
Glycolipids = acts as surface receptors and stabilize the membrane
Cell Function
Osmosis
Movement of water from high concentration to low concentration through semi permeable membrane
Flaccid = soft & turgid = hard
Diffusion
Solutions
Hypotonic – low concentration of water compared to outside, water will enter cell (it’ll expand)
Isotonic – equilibrium
Hypertonic – high concentration of water compared to outside, water will leave cell (it’ll shrivel)
Active transport
Endocytosis
Capturing a substance and engulfing it with the cell membrane, pushing it down into the cytosol
Two types:
- Phagocytosis – cellular eating
- Pinocytosis – cellular drinking
Requires energy
Exocytosis
Vesicles fuses with membrane, releasing their contents to outside the cell
Requires energy
Concentration gradient
Greater the concentration difference across a membrane the more rapidly it will diffuse
Travelling down the concentration = no difficulty and fast
Travelling against the concentration gradient = difficulty and timely
Characteristics of materials
Energy
Purpose of energy
Gases
Carbon Dioxide source of carbon for organic molecules. The carbon is ‘fixed’ into organic molecules
during photosynthesis.
Oxygen needed for an efficient energy supply achieved through cellular respiration.
Nutrients
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides
Organic compounds
Inorganic compounds
Ions
Charged particle
Assist in chemical reaction
Components of macromolecules e.g. iron in red blood cells
Examples in the body include: chlorides, nitrates, phosphates, carbonates, sodium, magnesium, calcium,
potassium
Photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + Water (in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll) Glucose + Oxygen
Chloroplasts
Site of photosynthesis
Chlorophyll – a green pigment excited by certain wavelengths of light
Once glucose has been produced, it is moved around the organism to cells which need it to produce energy
Excess glucose is stored as saccharide structures in plants (e.g. fruit and vegetables)
Occurs in grana
Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll
Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen
Oxygen is released into atmosphere
ATP is formed
Water + Light → ATP + Oxygen + Hydrogen
Occurs in stroma
Called Calvin Cycle
Joins carbon dioxide & hydrogen forms glucose molecule
Uses ATP formed in the light reactions for energy to complete the reactions
Carbon dioxide + Hydrogen → Glucose
Aerobic respiration
Presence of oxygen
Main site: mitochondria
Anaerobic respiration
Alcohol fermentation:
Chemical structure
Proteins are made of amino acids are joined together in a long chain
This chain then folds in on itself to make a specific shape
Each enzyme is specific and will only catalyse one reaction
Each enzyme has an ‘active site’ where the substrate (reactants) bind
When an enzyme binds to the active site the enzyme changes shape.
This is a more accurate and current representation of enzyme activity.
pH (acidity or alkalinity)
Each enzyme has its own narrow range outside this, they’ll denature
Most function best at neutral/7 pH
Temperature
Substrate concentration