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Title: Cell Structure
Description: Chapter 3 of AQA A Level Biology - Cell Structure. Includes: * Eukaryotic cell structure and organelles. * Prokaryotic cell structure and organelles. * Microscopy. * Cell fractionation and ultracentrifugation. * Mitosis.

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Chapter 3 - Cell Structure 
 
Eukaryotic Cells 
A cell that contains a true nucleus is called a ​eukaryotic cell​
...
 
 
Organelle 

Description 

Nucleus 

Largest​ cell organelle
...
 
Contains small nuclear 
pores​ to allow proteins to 
move out of the nucleus
...
 

● Controls the ​activity​ of the 
cell
...
 

Nucleolus 

1-2 micrometers in 
diameter
...
 

● Where ​ribosomes​ are 
made
...
 
The outer layer is 
continuous with the RER 
and encrusted with 
ribosomes​
...
 

● Allows substances to 
exchange​ across 
membranes
...
Contains ribosomal 
RNA
...
 

● Carries out 
proteinsynthesis​
...
Common in 
cells that secrete h
​ ormones 
and that m
​ etabolise​ ​lipids​
...
 

Rough Endoplasmic  Complex 3D system of 
Reticulum 
flattened sacs and 
membranes
...
 

with ​ribosomes​
...
 
Cell-surface 
membrane 

Double​ membrane
...
 

● Regulates m
​ ovement​ of 
molecules in and out of 
cells
...
 

Mitochondria 

Double​ membrane
...
The ​matrix​ makes 
up the rest and contains its 
own DNA
...
 
● Provides a large surface 
area for enzymic activity
...
A Golgi vesicle is 
a small, spherical organelle 
bound by a ​single 
membrane​
...
 

● Involved in the ​synthesis 
and ​modification​ of 
biological molecules from 
the endoplasmic 
reticulum
...
 

Chloroplasts 

Double​ membrane
...
Contains their own 
circular DNA
...
  

Cell Vacuole 

Contains ​cell​ ​sap​
...
 

● Maintains ​pressure​ inside 
the cell and keeps it turgid
...
 

Cell Wall 

Made of beta glucose 
(​cellulose​)
...
 

● The cell wall prevents the 
cell changing shape to 
withstand​ t​ he​ p
​ ressures​ ​of 
osmosis​
...
 
Lysosomes 

Type of ​Golgi​ v
​ esicle​
...
 

● Contains ​hydrolytic 
enzymes​ to break down 
unwanted organelles or 
material taken into the cell 
by p
​ hagocytosis​
...
These cells contain ​no true nucleus, 
contain ​no membrane-bound organelles​ and are much​ smaller a
​ nd simpler than 
eukaryotic cells
...
 

Capsule 

Protects​ the cell and allows a
​ ttachment​ to other 
objects
...
 

Plasma 

Controls​ t​ he​ f​ low​ of small molecules in and out of 
the cell
...
 

Nuclear zone 

Contains the D
​ NA​ and RNA
...
 

Plasmids 

Circular​ ​DNA​ not associated with histones
...
 

What is the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells? 
 
Eukaryotic 

Prokaryotic 

Much bigger
...
 

Membrane-bound organelles
...
 

Contains a nucleus
...
 

DNA associated with histones
...
 

80s ribosomes (much bigger)
...
 

DNA enclosed in a nucleolus
...
 

 
Microscopy 

 
Optical Microscope - U
​ ses light and lenses to magnify images
...
Resolution is much lower as light has a much longer wavelength than electrons
...
 
Scanning Electron Microscope - ​Directs a beam of electrons onto the surface of the 
specimen
...
Specimens can be viewed in colour and 
3D
...
Resolution is 20nm
...
The resolution is 0
...
The specimen must be 
extremely thin, there is a complex staining process for preparing a sample and living 
specimens cannot be viewed
...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cell Fractionation and Ultracentrifugation  
Cell​ f​ ractionation​ is the process by which scientists break open cells to study and 
separate different organelles
...
 
Cold - ​To reduce enzymic activity breaking down the organelles
...
 
Buffered - ​To ensure that the pH does not fluctuate
...
 
 
The cell is placed in a ​homogeniser​
...
The resulting fluid (​homogenate​) is then filtered to remove 
debris
...
This removes the 
most​ ​dense​ ​organelle​ (nucleus)
...
  
● Nucleus (most dense/lowest speed)
...
 
● ER
...
 
 
Mitosis  
Mitosis i​ s important for growth, repair and reproduction, producing two genetically 
identical daughter cells
...
 
The cell ​grows​ (G1), organelles are 
synthesised​ (S) and the DNA is 
checked for m
​ utation​ (G2)
...
Rapid 
interphase suggests uncontrolled cell 
division
...
The centrioles 
divide
...
 
Sister chromatids are joined by a 
centromere​ and chromosomes ​move 
to the opposite p
​ oles​ of the cell
...
 

 

Prophase 

Metaphase 

Image 

Each centriole is at an opposite pole
...
 
Each c
​ entromere​ is a
​ ttached​ to each 
pole​
...
Chromatids 
are pulled to the poles (centromere 
first) and each half of the cell now has 
one chromatid
...
Spindle fibres 
disintegrate and the nucleolus and 
nuclear envelope reform
...
Two ​genetically 
identical​ ​daughter​ ​cells​ are formed
...
 

 

 


Title: Cell Structure
Description: Chapter 3 of AQA A Level Biology - Cell Structure. Includes: * Eukaryotic cell structure and organelles. * Prokaryotic cell structure and organelles. * Microscopy. * Cell fractionation and ultracentrifugation. * Mitosis.