BIO.A.4 Homeostasis and Transport
Topic Summary for Cell Structure and Function:
Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and many specialized structures.
Cytoplasm is the fluid portion of a cell.
Organelles are structures that have specialized functions in eukaryotic cells.
The nucleus contains DNA and controls the activity of a cell.
Organelles That Store, Clean Up, and Support These structures include:
vacuoles: membrane-enclosed saclike structures that store water, salts, and organic molecules
lysosomes: small organelles filled with enzymes that break down large molecules and organelles that are no longer useful
cytoskeleton: a network of protein filaments; it helps the cell maintain its shape and is involved in movement
centrioles: organelles made from tubulins; they help organize cell division in animal cells
Organelles That Build Proteins Three kinds of organelles work with the nucleus to make and distribute proteins:
ribosomes: small particles of RNA and protein found throughout the cytoplasm in all cells; they produce proteins by following coded instructions from DNA
endoplasmic reticulum (ER): an internal membrane system where lipid components of the cell membrane are assembled, along with proteins and other materials
Golgi apparatus: an organelle that appears as a stack of flattened membranes; it modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials from the ER for storage in the cell or release outside the cell
Organelles That Capture and Release Energy Two types of organelles act as power plants of the cells. Both types are surrounded by two membranes.
Chloroplasts capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into food that contains chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis. Cells of plants and some other organisms contain chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll.
Mitochondria are found in nearly all eukaryotic cells; they convert the chemical energy stored in food to a usable form.
Cellular Boundaries All cells are surrounded by a cell membrane. Many cells also have a cell wall. Both cell membranes and cell walls separate cells from the environment and provide support.
Cell walls support, shape, and protect the cell. Most prokaryotes and many eukaryotes have them. Animals do not have cell walls. Cell walls lie outside the cell membrane. Most cell walls allow materials to pass through them.
A cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer, a strong but flexible barrier between the cell and its surroundings. The cell membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell and also protects and supports the cell. Most biological membranes are selectively permeable, allowing some substances, but not others, to pass across them.
Topic Summary for Cell Structure and Function:
Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and many specialized structures.
Cytoplasm is the fluid portion of a cell.
Organelles are structures that have specialized functions in eukaryotic cells.
The nucleus contains DNA and controls the activity of a cell.
Organelles That Store, Clean Up, and Support These structures include:
vacuoles: membrane-enclosed saclike structures that store water, salts, and organic molecules
lysosomes: small organelles filled with enzymes that break down large molecules and organelles that are no longer useful
cytoskeleton: a network of protein filaments; it helps the cell maintain its shape and is involved in movement
centrioles: organelles made from tubulins; they help organize cell division in animal cells
Organelles That Build Proteins Three kinds of organelles work with the nucleus to make and distribute proteins:
ribosomes: small particles of RNA and protein found throughout the cytoplasm in all cells; they produce proteins by following coded instructions from DNA
endoplasmic reticulum (ER): an internal membrane system where lipid components of the cell membrane are assembled, along with proteins and other materials
Golgi apparatus: an organelle that appears as a stack of flattened membranes; it modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials from the ER for storage in the cell or release outside the cell
Organelles That Capture and Release Energy Two types of organelles act as power plants of the cells. Both types are surrounded by two membranes.
Chloroplasts capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into food that contains chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis. Cells of plants and some other organisms contain chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll.
Mitochondria are found in nearly all eukaryotic cells; they convert the chemical energy stored in food to a usable form.
Cellular Boundaries All cells are surrounded by a cell membrane. Many cells also have a cell wall. Both cell membranes and cell walls separate cells from the environment and provide support.
Cell walls support, shape, and protect the cell. Most prokaryotes and many eukaryotes have them. Animals do not have cell walls. Cell walls lie outside the cell membrane. Most cell walls allow materials to pass through them.
A cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer, a strong but flexible barrier between the cell and its surroundings. The cell membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell and also protects and supports the cell. Most biological membranes are selectively permeable, allowing some substances, but not others, to pass across them.