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AQA A Level Biology Unit 2 Cells Summary Notes

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Detailed notes following the spec points Consists of : Unit 2 - Cells

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2.1 CELL STRUCTURE

2.1.1 Structure of EUKARYOTIC cells
EUKARYOTIC – DNA is contained in a nucleus, contains membrane bound specialised
organelles that are more complex

SPECIALISED CELLS – eukaryotic cells become specialised to perform specific functions >
make up tissues > tissues make up organs > organs work together make up organ systems
(cells > tissues > organs > organ system) in multicellular organisms


STRUCTURE OF EUKARYOTES ORGANELLES

cell-surface ➢​ ‘fluid mosaic’ phospholipid bilayer
membrane ○​ partially permeable = regulates transport of substances
○​ ‘fluid’
■​ = constantly changing shape = allows movement +
fluidity and flexibility of membrane
○​ ‘Mosaic’
■​ = irregular arrangements and sizes of proteins and
cholesterol
○​ Phospholipid bilayer
■​ = Phospholipids are amphipathic, with a positive
(more on transport charged hydrophilic heads that attracts water
across membranes pointing outwards and negative hydrophobic tail
2.3) that repels water shielded pointing inwards
■​ The charges between fatty acids and phosphates
and glycerol maintains stability

➢​ intrinsic + extrinsic proteins + protein channels
○​ Intrinsic = spans across the whole membrane
○​ Extrinsic = on one side of the membrane
○​ Protein channels = facilitated diffusions/ co transport

➢​ Lipid cholesterol = regulates fluidity
○​ unsaturated fatty acids = more kinks C=C and the shorter
the fatty acid chains = increases fluidity as the chains are
less closely packed
○​ Too much cholesterol = rigid membrane

➢​ Glycolipids + glycoproteins = cell recognition as branching out
from the bilayer acting as binding sites w/ complementary cells

,nucleus ➢​ Double membrane with nuclear envelope
➢​ Nuclear pores allow small substances and enter and exit (eg.
-​ Control mRNA)
-​ Contain
➢​ CONTAINS genetic material in chromatin coiled into
chromosomes + nucleolus
○​ Dense nucleoli that with DNA make up mRNA and rRNA
for transcription that carries out of nucleus

➢​ CONTROLS cellular processes like gene expression, protein
synthesis with mRNA transcription, DNA replication, mitosis etc
○​ ribosomes and rER attached to make proteins quick for
translation




mitochondria ➢​ Double membrane

➢​ AEROBIC RESPIRATION LINK = ENERGY
➢​ CRISTAE – Folded inner membranes = increase SA
○​ Where oxidative phosphorylation (ETC) takes place

➢​ MATRIX – the fluid that contains mitochondrial DNA, 70s
ribosomes, enzymes for respiration, lipids and proteins
○​ Where link reaction and krebs cycle takes place

, rough endoplasmic (2 types of ER)
reticulum RER ➢​ Stacks of membrane bounded flattened sacs form cisternae,
extending and connecting to nucleus’ nuclear envelope (rER)
➢​ Large SA for chemical reactions
+
smooth endoplasmic ROUGH = many ribosomes > protein synthesis > transport to golgi >
reticulum SER attached to nuclear envelope (more dense)




SMOOTH = no ribosomes present > lipid synthesis > golgi (less dense)
-​ absorption of lipids ! recombine long chain fatty acids and
monoglycerides into triglycerides


Golgi apparatus and ➢​ Close to ER = MODIFY the proteins and lipids produced by ER +
Golgi vesicles PACKAGE products into vesicles that are pinched off cisternaes
via exocytosis
○​ Modify proteins > glycoproteins
○​ Modify lipids > glycolipids > stores
○​ Produces digestive enzymes

➢​ Stacks of membrane bounded flattened SACS (cisternaes)
➢​ GOLGI VESICLES – smaller sacs are filled of fluid and modified
products that are pinched off the cisternaes via exocytosis




(Similar to SER but more complex)

lysosomes ➢​ a single membrane-bound organelle that contains JUST
hydrolase enzymes
○​ Isolated these enzymes to prevent hydrolysing other
organelles within the cell
○​ Hydrolase enzymes
■​ digests waste from phagocytosis,
■​ any worn out organelles + dead cells from autolysis
○​ Exocytosis of
enzymes to break
down substances
outside of cells

Connected book
 image
Glenn Toole, Susan Toole AQA Biology A Level Student Book
Publisher: april 2015 ISBN: 9780198351771 Edition: 1

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Which chapters are summarized?
Unit 2
Uploaded on
August 22, 2025
Number of pages
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Type
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