BIOL2010: Exam #2 (Chp 4-11) Study Guide
Chapter 4: Cell Structure
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will be able to explain the role of cells in organisms.
2. Students will be able to summarize the cell theory
3. Students will be able to describe microscopy and how it is used to study cells.
4. Students will be able to describe the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. Students will be able to explain why cells are so small.
6. Students will be able to describe the differences and similarities between animal and
plant cells.
7. Students will be able to describe the function of the major organelles.
Definitions:*
1. Cell: Smallest unit of a living thing.
2. Cell Theory: States that all living things are composed of one or more cells, the cell is
the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from existing cells.
3. Prokaryotic: Simple, mostly single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus, or any other
membrane bound organelle. These include bacteria and archaea.
4. Eukaryotic: Cells with a membrane bound nucleus; numerous membrane-bound
organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, chloroplasts,
mitochondria, and others; and several, rod shaped chromosomes. Often said to have a
“true nucleus.”
5. Cytoplasm: Entire region of a cell between the plasma membrane and the nuclear
envelope. Made up of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and
various chemicals.
6. Plasma Membrane: A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that separates the
internal contents of the cell from its surrounding environment.
7. Magnification: Property of making things bigger.
8. Resolution: Allows you to see two things that are close together as separate objects.
9. Microscopy: The use of a microscope (an instrument that magnifies an object)
10. Light microscope:
11. Electron microscope: Allows you to see much smaller cells, like archaea; hits the
specimen with electron beams that bounce off and give you a surface picture that lets you
see the structure.
12. Organelle: Compartment or sac within a cell
, 13. Nuclear membrane: Also known as the nuclear envelope. Double-membrane structure
that constitutes the outermost portion of the nucleus. Both the inner and outer membranes
of the nuclear envelope are phospholipid bilayers.
Discussion Questions:*
1. Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections. These medicines kill the
bacteria without harming human cells. What part of the bacterial cell do you think
antibiotics target? Why?
a. “Antibiotics are medications used specifically to kill or disable bacteria. All
bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, meaning that their cells are different than cells
of the human body. These differences can be exploited, so that antibiotic drugs
can kill bacteria without harming us” (Science Prof Online).
2. What is the difference between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell?
a. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus and are single celled, whereas eukaryotic cells
have a membrane bound nucleus and are made up of rod shaped
chromosomes.
3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?
a. Plant cells contain chloroplasts, a cell wall, and vacuoles. Animal cells don’t have
any of these organelles, but they do contain centrosome, lysosomes, and (some)
have cilia, which plant cells don’t have.
4. What organelles are part of the endomembrane system?
a. Endoplasmic Reticulum:
i. Rough ER: modifies proteins and synthesizes phospholipids used in cell
membranes
ii. Soft ER: Synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones; engages
in the detoxification of medications and poisons; and stores calcium ions.
b. Nuclear Envelope: Double-membrane structure that constitutes the outermost
portion of the nucleus. Both the inner and outer membranes of the nuclear
envelope are phospholipid bilayers.
c. Golgi Apparatus: Sorting, tagging, packaging, and distribution of lipids and
proteins takes place here.
d. Vesicles: Storage and transport compartment.
e. Lysosomes: Created by the budding of the membranes of the RER and golgi
body. Digest macromolecules, recycle worn out organelles, and destroy pathogens
f. Plasma Membrane: Phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins
g. Not In Endomembrane System: Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
Chapter 4: Cell Structure
Learning Objectives:
1. Students will be able to explain the role of cells in organisms.
2. Students will be able to summarize the cell theory
3. Students will be able to describe microscopy and how it is used to study cells.
4. Students will be able to describe the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
5. Students will be able to explain why cells are so small.
6. Students will be able to describe the differences and similarities between animal and
plant cells.
7. Students will be able to describe the function of the major organelles.
Definitions:*
1. Cell: Smallest unit of a living thing.
2. Cell Theory: States that all living things are composed of one or more cells, the cell is
the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from existing cells.
3. Prokaryotic: Simple, mostly single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus, or any other
membrane bound organelle. These include bacteria and archaea.
4. Eukaryotic: Cells with a membrane bound nucleus; numerous membrane-bound
organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, chloroplasts,
mitochondria, and others; and several, rod shaped chromosomes. Often said to have a
“true nucleus.”
5. Cytoplasm: Entire region of a cell between the plasma membrane and the nuclear
envelope. Made up of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and
various chemicals.
6. Plasma Membrane: A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that separates the
internal contents of the cell from its surrounding environment.
7. Magnification: Property of making things bigger.
8. Resolution: Allows you to see two things that are close together as separate objects.
9. Microscopy: The use of a microscope (an instrument that magnifies an object)
10. Light microscope:
11. Electron microscope: Allows you to see much smaller cells, like archaea; hits the
specimen with electron beams that bounce off and give you a surface picture that lets you
see the structure.
12. Organelle: Compartment or sac within a cell
, 13. Nuclear membrane: Also known as the nuclear envelope. Double-membrane structure
that constitutes the outermost portion of the nucleus. Both the inner and outer membranes
of the nuclear envelope are phospholipid bilayers.
Discussion Questions:*
1. Antibiotics are medicines used to fight bacterial infections. These medicines kill the
bacteria without harming human cells. What part of the bacterial cell do you think
antibiotics target? Why?
a. “Antibiotics are medications used specifically to kill or disable bacteria. All
bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, meaning that their cells are different than cells
of the human body. These differences can be exploited, so that antibiotic drugs
can kill bacteria without harming us” (Science Prof Online).
2. What is the difference between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell?
a. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus and are single celled, whereas eukaryotic cells
have a membrane bound nucleus and are made up of rod shaped
chromosomes.
3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?
a. Plant cells contain chloroplasts, a cell wall, and vacuoles. Animal cells don’t have
any of these organelles, but they do contain centrosome, lysosomes, and (some)
have cilia, which plant cells don’t have.
4. What organelles are part of the endomembrane system?
a. Endoplasmic Reticulum:
i. Rough ER: modifies proteins and synthesizes phospholipids used in cell
membranes
ii. Soft ER: Synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones; engages
in the detoxification of medications and poisons; and stores calcium ions.
b. Nuclear Envelope: Double-membrane structure that constitutes the outermost
portion of the nucleus. Both the inner and outer membranes of the nuclear
envelope are phospholipid bilayers.
c. Golgi Apparatus: Sorting, tagging, packaging, and distribution of lipids and
proteins takes place here.
d. Vesicles: Storage and transport compartment.
e. Lysosomes: Created by the budding of the membranes of the RER and golgi
body. Digest macromolecules, recycle worn out organelles, and destroy pathogens
f. Plasma Membrane: Phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins
g. Not In Endomembrane System: Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
