Biology 2121 – Study Guide/Chapter Objectives

Chapter 3 – Cells

  1. Know the four basic statements relating to the cell theory.
  2. Be able to identify the basic parts of a cell.
  3. Be able to identify and describe the important characteristics and functions of the following cell organelles
  • Mitochondria
  • Lysosomes
  • Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum
  • Golgi apparatus
  • Centrioles
  • Peroxisome
  1. Identify and describe the characteristics and functions of each part of the nucleus
  • Nuclear pores
  • Nucleolus
  • Chromatin
  • Nuclear envelope or membrane
  1. Be able to identify and describe the important characteristics and functions of a cell membrane
  • Why it is referred to as a fluid mosaic model
  • Know the location and functions of the following parts
  • Glycocalyx
  • Cholesterol
  • Integral and peripheral proteins
  • Cytoskeleton
  • Phospholipid bilayer
  • Know the chemical characteristics of the phospholipid bilayer (polar, nonpolar, hydrophilic, hydrophobic, etc)
  • Know the various functions of the membrane proteins
  • Transport
  • Intercellular joining
  • Cell to cell recognition
  • Attachment to the cytoskeleton
  • Enzyme activity
  • Know the roles of the following specialized structures
  • Microvilli
  • Tight junction components
  • desmonsomes
  • The gap junction
  1. Know the following concerning cell transport
  • Why the membrane is referred to as selectively permeable
  • Passive vs active process
  • Osmosis vs diffusion
  • What is simple diffusion? Examples
  • What is facilitated diffusion? Examples
  • Distinguish between a channel membrane protein and a protein carrier (examples)
  • What is osmolarity? How does it affect osmosis?
  • What is the difference between hydrostatic and osmotic pressure? How do these affect the process of osmosis?
  • Distinguish between the three types of tonicity situations below; how animal or human cells are affected by each.
  • Isotonic
  • Hypertonic
  • hypotonic
  • Use the sodium-potassium pump to describe how the process of active transport works
  • Distinguish between primary and secondary active transport and give examples
  • What is meant by vesicular transport? What is a vesicle made of?
  • Distinguish between exocytosis and endocytosis.
  • How does pinocytosis differ from the two processes above?
  1. What is the resting membrane potential of a cell membrane? How is it determined?
  2. What is the role of CAMS in cells?
  3. What is a ligand? How is it related to chemical signaling
  • Use neurotransmitters as examples
  1. State the general characteristics of the cytoplasm of a cell
  2. Distinguish between cilia and flagella
  • Describe several functions of cilia in the body
  1. Identify and describe the what occurs in each part of the cell cycle
  2. Identify and describe the events of each phase in mitosis.
  • Make sure you know the significance of cytokinesis
  1. Identify and describe the steps that result in DNA replication
  • Know why it is called semi-conservative replication
  • Role of DNA polymerase and helicase
  1. Describe the events that take place in transcription
  2. Describe the events that take place in translation – protein synthesis
  3. Know the roles of each of the following RNAs in transcription and translation
  • tRNA; mRNA; rRNA
  1. What is a codon? Anticodon? Roles in Protein Synthesis.
  2. Know how a polypeptide is formed
  • Peptide bonding, etc.
  1. Use the universal genetic code to translate codons into amino acids
  2. Distinguish between an intron and exon of RNA. Why is this important?
  3. Be able to reproduce a strand of DNA (DNA replication)
  4. Be able to transcribe a strand of mRNA from DNA (transcription)

You do not need to cover the following:

  1. Other roles of DNA
  2. Cytosolic Protein Degradation
  3. Extracellular material
  4. Developmental Aspects

Please Note:

The Study Guide/Objective Page is to be used as a supplement to complement any lecture material that is covered in class. It should be used along with your power point notes and other supplementary material provided by your instructor to prepare for exams. To prepare successfully for the exams you must review the following:

1. Power Point/Lecture Notes

2. Study Guide and Review Sheets

3. Reading/Textbook Reference

4. Self-Study Guides

5. Independent Notes