chapter 6 a tour of the cell
Overview
The cell: a microscopic unit of life that works like a small factory in harmony with larger systems that make up an organism and its various actions (what a mouthful!). Cells carry out essential processes including but not limited to mitosis, photosynthesis, and respiration to provide organisms with the means to exist.
Eukaryotic cells are more complex than prokaryotic cells and function as animal or plant cell, while prokaryotes are found mainly in the bacteria and archaea kingdoms. Cells do their job primarily by manufacturing proteins, digesting nutrients, and regulating gene expression. If a cell needs to produce a certain protein, for example, many different sections and processes of this little cell factory have to interact.
Transcription occurs within the nucleus, which contains a cell's genetic info in the form of DNA. Once mRNA leaves the nuclear envelope, the ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum can begin to turn the coded sequence into amino acid chains, aka polypeptides. Once synthesized, the polypeptide may enter the cytoplasm in a vesicle and make its way towards the Golgi apparatus. This interesting contraption receives, sorts, ships, and manufactures the cell's products into "packages" and sends them off to perform their jobs. The finished vesicles containing proteins can exit the cell by fusing with the plasma membrane, called exocytosis.
The intricate compartmental organization of organelles within a cell and coordination of processes allow for the conduction of vital activities. For a more descriptive image of eukaryotic cells, see the images below.
Big Ideas
2.A.3 Organisms must exchange matter with the environment to grow, reproduce, and maintain organization.
2.B.3 Eukaryotic cells maintain internal membranes that partition the cell into specialized regions.
4.A.2 The structure and function of sub-cellular components, and their interactions, provide essential cellular processes.
4.B.2 Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.
Artifact
The cell: a microscopic unit of life that works like a small factory in harmony with larger systems that make up an organism and its various actions (what a mouthful!). Cells carry out essential processes including but not limited to mitosis, photosynthesis, and respiration to provide organisms with the means to exist.
Eukaryotic cells are more complex than prokaryotic cells and function as animal or plant cell, while prokaryotes are found mainly in the bacteria and archaea kingdoms. Cells do their job primarily by manufacturing proteins, digesting nutrients, and regulating gene expression. If a cell needs to produce a certain protein, for example, many different sections and processes of this little cell factory have to interact.
Transcription occurs within the nucleus, which contains a cell's genetic info in the form of DNA. Once mRNA leaves the nuclear envelope, the ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum can begin to turn the coded sequence into amino acid chains, aka polypeptides. Once synthesized, the polypeptide may enter the cytoplasm in a vesicle and make its way towards the Golgi apparatus. This interesting contraption receives, sorts, ships, and manufactures the cell's products into "packages" and sends them off to perform their jobs. The finished vesicles containing proteins can exit the cell by fusing with the plasma membrane, called exocytosis.
The intricate compartmental organization of organelles within a cell and coordination of processes allow for the conduction of vital activities. For a more descriptive image of eukaryotic cells, see the images below.
Big Ideas
2.A.3 Organisms must exchange matter with the environment to grow, reproduce, and maintain organization.
2.B.3 Eukaryotic cells maintain internal membranes that partition the cell into specialized regions.
4.A.2 The structure and function of sub-cellular components, and their interactions, provide essential cellular processes.
4.B.2 Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.
Artifact
Reflection
Personally, I found that these images were extremely helpful to paint a picture of a eukaryotic cell in my mind. Since they were also pictured on the reading guide and needed to be labeled accurately, these figures presented a good way to familiarize myself with the various structures inside of a cell. Consequently, it was also easier to remember the differences between plant and animal cells, as well as eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
Personally, I found that these images were extremely helpful to paint a picture of a eukaryotic cell in my mind. Since they were also pictured on the reading guide and needed to be labeled accurately, these figures presented a good way to familiarize myself with the various structures inside of a cell. Consequently, it was also easier to remember the differences between plant and animal cells, as well as eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
For a dramatic and life-like portrayal of the inner
workings of a cell, view this video. You know,
if that's your thing.
workings of a cell, view this video. You know,
if that's your thing.
chapter 7 Membrane structure & function
Overview
The behavior of membranes within cells decidedly influences how well a cell can perform work. Cellular membranes act as barriers between cells and extracellular or intracellular fluids. They are made up of phospholipids and a mosaic of proteins, which can act as channels or gates for specific molecules. This also accounts for the selective permeability of membranes, meaning that not just any old molecule can enter the cell's interior.
Hydrophobic molecules can cross the membrane much more easily than hydrophilic molecules, due to the "water-hating" inside of the lipid bilayer. For this reason, transport proteins are immensely important for the operation of the cell. Transport of substances allows cells to interact with their environments, whether it be active or passive transport. The tonicity of the surrounding environment plays a major part in deciding which direction molecules diffuse.
For more detailed information on the life of membranes, please see the document below!
Big Ideas
2.B.1 Cell membranes are selectively permeable due to their structure.
2.B.2 Growth and dynamic homeostasis are maintained by the constant movement of molecules across membranes.
The behavior of membranes within cells decidedly influences how well a cell can perform work. Cellular membranes act as barriers between cells and extracellular or intracellular fluids. They are made up of phospholipids and a mosaic of proteins, which can act as channels or gates for specific molecules. This also accounts for the selective permeability of membranes, meaning that not just any old molecule can enter the cell's interior.
Hydrophobic molecules can cross the membrane much more easily than hydrophilic molecules, due to the "water-hating" inside of the lipid bilayer. For this reason, transport proteins are immensely important for the operation of the cell. Transport of substances allows cells to interact with their environments, whether it be active or passive transport. The tonicity of the surrounding environment plays a major part in deciding which direction molecules diffuse.
- Isotonic: environments are equally saturated; no net movement across the membrane
- Hypotonic: lower solute concentration and therefore higher water potential outside cell; water enters
- Hypertonic: higher solute and lower water potential outside the cell; water exits, cell shrivels or plasmolyze
For more detailed information on the life of membranes, please see the document below!
Big Ideas
2.B.1 Cell membranes are selectively permeable due to their structure.
2.B.2 Growth and dynamic homeostasis are maintained by the constant movement of molecules across membranes.
Artifact
View the file below for the reading guide:
View the file below for the reading guide:
ch7_readingguide.pdf | |
File Size: | 1258 kb |
File Type: |
Reflection
For some reason, I remember this chapter quite fondly. Whether it's because the content is simply understandable or I've gained some distance remains unknown to me. I found the first two chapters (namely six and seven) to have determined the way in which I approached subsequent chapters and reading guides. I began to confront the information by taking the time to read and understand each section and subsection. I took notes and used color to structure my impression of the most important information. Then I completed the reading guide, which (almost every time without fail) pointed out another key point or challenged me to think differently about the information.
Although other chapter guides also do this, the reading guide for Chapter Seven presents a very coherent and useful example of questions that encourage students to review and think about the material.
For some reason, I remember this chapter quite fondly. Whether it's because the content is simply understandable or I've gained some distance remains unknown to me. I found the first two chapters (namely six and seven) to have determined the way in which I approached subsequent chapters and reading guides. I began to confront the information by taking the time to read and understand each section and subsection. I took notes and used color to structure my impression of the most important information. Then I completed the reading guide, which (almost every time without fail) pointed out another key point or challenged me to think differently about the information.
Although other chapter guides also do this, the reading guide for Chapter Seven presents a very coherent and useful example of questions that encourage students to review and think about the material.
chapter 11 cell communication
Overview
Chapter 11 outlines the ways in which cells interact; specifically how a signal can be transmitted, received, and amplified. This chapter serves as the basis for many other chapters as well, because the majority of organisms rely heavily on the communication between cells.
The three main steps of signal transduction include reception, transduction, and response. First, receptors on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm must receive a signal. Ligand-gated ion channels, for example, bind to a signal molecule, or ligand, on the cell membrane and respond by changing shape, allowing specific ions to flow through the receptor. This can directly affect the activity of the cell. Second, molecular interactions will relay the signals to targeted areas in the cell, called transduction. Molecules activate molecules, proteins phosphorylate proteins, and a cascade of information is amplified throughout the cell. Third, regulation of certain activities in the cell change in response to the signals. Enzyme activity, gene transcription, or protein manufacture could adjust as a result of the conducted signal. The coordination and timing of each specific event in this combination of actions proves to be a crucial part of the overall process of cellular communications.
Big Ideas
2.E.2 Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.
3.B.2 A variety of intercellular and intracellular signal transmissions mediate gene expression.
3.D.1 Cell communication processes share common features that reflect a shared evolutionary history.
3.D.2 Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signals.
3.D.3 Signal transduction pathways link signal reception with cellular response.
3.D.4 Changes in signal transduction pathways can alter cellular response.
Artifact
The reading guide for Chapter 11 can be found below:
Chapter 11 outlines the ways in which cells interact; specifically how a signal can be transmitted, received, and amplified. This chapter serves as the basis for many other chapters as well, because the majority of organisms rely heavily on the communication between cells.
The three main steps of signal transduction include reception, transduction, and response. First, receptors on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm must receive a signal. Ligand-gated ion channels, for example, bind to a signal molecule, or ligand, on the cell membrane and respond by changing shape, allowing specific ions to flow through the receptor. This can directly affect the activity of the cell. Second, molecular interactions will relay the signals to targeted areas in the cell, called transduction. Molecules activate molecules, proteins phosphorylate proteins, and a cascade of information is amplified throughout the cell. Third, regulation of certain activities in the cell change in response to the signals. Enzyme activity, gene transcription, or protein manufacture could adjust as a result of the conducted signal. The coordination and timing of each specific event in this combination of actions proves to be a crucial part of the overall process of cellular communications.
Big Ideas
2.E.2 Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.
3.B.2 A variety of intercellular and intracellular signal transmissions mediate gene expression.
3.D.1 Cell communication processes share common features that reflect a shared evolutionary history.
3.D.2 Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signals.
3.D.3 Signal transduction pathways link signal reception with cellular response.
3.D.4 Changes in signal transduction pathways can alter cellular response.
Artifact
The reading guide for Chapter 11 can be found below:
ch11_readingguide.pdf | |
File Size: | 1516 kb |
File Type: |
Reflection
This topic can be very confusing and sophisticated at first. Understanding how many different phases, molecules, and structures interact can be daunting. The sheer amount of terminology also proves to be quite challenging. This chapter is not the most fun, but it is one of the most significant. Once I read the chapter and took the time to understand each section, however, the information became just as easy to learn as more simple chapters.
Similar to most other reading guides, this one provided students with many images to label and explain. This kind of guide for reading the chapters greatly improves the absorption of information. The reading guide also emphasized the most important terms, concepts, and mechanisms of cell communication.
Study Tool
This topic can be very confusing and sophisticated at first. Understanding how many different phases, molecules, and structures interact can be daunting. The sheer amount of terminology also proves to be quite challenging. This chapter is not the most fun, but it is one of the most significant. Once I read the chapter and took the time to understand each section, however, the information became just as easy to learn as more simple chapters.
Similar to most other reading guides, this one provided students with many images to label and explain. This kind of guide for reading the chapters greatly improves the absorption of information. The reading guide also emphasized the most important terms, concepts, and mechanisms of cell communication.
Study Tool
chapter 12 the cell cycle
Overview
The cell cycle depicts the stages of a cell's life from its formation to its division. The purpose of mitotic cell division is for reproduction, growth, replacement, and repair. After a cell is formed it enters interphase, which can be categorized into three separate phases. The G-1 phase, in which it grows and performs cellular work, occurs first. In the S phase, the cell replicates the genetic material in the nucleus. In the next phase, G-2, the cell grows, works, and prepares for division. After these steps are complete, the cell can enter M phase, in which mitosis is completed and two diploid (2n) daughter cells result. For a descriptive image of the individual phases of mitosis and other terminology, please view the image and file under the "Artifact" section below.
This chapter also stresses the importance of a control system. Various checkpoints after certain phases of the cell cycle regulate whether the cell is ready to replicate or divide. The fluctuating interaction of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases drives the division and when unregulated, the cell cycle can spin out of control.
Big Ideas
3.A.2 In eukaryotes, heritable information is passed to the next generation via processes that include the cell cycle and mitosis, or meisosis plus fertilization.
The cell cycle depicts the stages of a cell's life from its formation to its division. The purpose of mitotic cell division is for reproduction, growth, replacement, and repair. After a cell is formed it enters interphase, which can be categorized into three separate phases. The G-1 phase, in which it grows and performs cellular work, occurs first. In the S phase, the cell replicates the genetic material in the nucleus. In the next phase, G-2, the cell grows, works, and prepares for division. After these steps are complete, the cell can enter M phase, in which mitosis is completed and two diploid (2n) daughter cells result. For a descriptive image of the individual phases of mitosis and other terminology, please view the image and file under the "Artifact" section below.
This chapter also stresses the importance of a control system. Various checkpoints after certain phases of the cell cycle regulate whether the cell is ready to replicate or divide. The fluctuating interaction of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases drives the division and when unregulated, the cell cycle can spin out of control.
Big Ideas
3.A.2 In eukaryotes, heritable information is passed to the next generation via processes that include the cell cycle and mitosis, or meisosis plus fertilization.
Artifact
Click on the file below to view a more in-depth description of the stages of mitosis.
Click on the file below to view a more in-depth description of the stages of mitosis.
stages_of_mitosis.pdf | |
File Size: | 144 kb |
File Type: |
Reflection
This chapter is fairly short and easy to understand if learned in a classroom environment. Although the differences between meiosis and mitosis may seem hard to grasp at first, the cell cycle is quite a simple concept to learn. I found that listening to a teacher explain and write terms on the board, as well as draw pictures of the separate stages of the cycle, helped immensely to picture the life of a cell.
Also, using a microscope to observe the chromosomes of cells in different stages of the cell cycle provided a good connection to how cells undergo the cycle of life in the real world. Using lab experiments to learn really allows students to take a step back from the information on paper and apply it to something more tangible. Study Tool
*only for visual learners immune to monotonous voices*
This chapter is fairly short and easy to understand if learned in a classroom environment. Although the differences between meiosis and mitosis may seem hard to grasp at first, the cell cycle is quite a simple concept to learn. I found that listening to a teacher explain and write terms on the board, as well as draw pictures of the separate stages of the cycle, helped immensely to picture the life of a cell.
Also, using a microscope to observe the chromosomes of cells in different stages of the cell cycle provided a good connection to how cells undergo the cycle of life in the real world. Using lab experiments to learn really allows students to take a step back from the information on paper and apply it to something more tangible. Study Tool
*only for visual learners immune to monotonous voices*