AP Biology Review Sheet

Cell Structure and Function

Prokaryotic Bacteria Eukaryotic (Other Living Things)
No Membrane-Bound Organelles. Membrane-Bound Organelles.
No Nucleus; Single/Circular DNA. Multiple Linear DNA.
Free Ribosomes and Cell Wall. Histones on DNA.
1. Cell Organelles – basic unit of structure and function that allows for more specialization
as various compartments form.
a. Nucleus – contains genetic information (organized into chromosomes) and
nucleolus (location where rRNA is made and ribosomal subunits are produced).
b. Mitochondria – responsible for converting energy from organic molecules to
useful energy (ATP; where cell respiration/ glucose breakdown occurs); double
membrane – outer membrane is smooth and separates intermembrane space
and cytoplasm and inside is folded with enzymes (cristae – produces ATP) and is
separated by matrix and intermembrane space.
c. Ribosomes – site of translation and protein synthesis; manufacture all the
proteins required by or secreted by the cell; made of large and small subunits
(mRNA and protein).
d. Endoplasmic Reticulum – ribosomes attached; continuous channel connected to
nucleus studded with ribosomes.
i. Rough ER – proteins generated and transported across the plasma
membrane or are used to build Golgi bodies, lysosomes, or the ER.
ii. Smooth ER – region of ER without studded ribosomes that makes lipids,
hormones, and steroids that break down toxic chemicals.
e. Golgi (Body) Complex – modify, process, and sort products (packaging and
distributing) in membrane and signals for export; production of lysosomes.
f. Cytoskeleton – a network of protein fibers that determines the shape of a cell.
i. Microfilaments – structures composed of protein actin; gives shape and
movement within cell; assist during cytokinesis.
ii. Microtubules – made up of the protein tubulin and participate in cell
division and movement; part of centrioles, cilia, flagella, spindle fibers.
g. Vacuoles – fluid filled sacs storing water and solutes.
i. Central Vacuole – Most of cytoplasm taken up and contains cell sap; full
vacuole not dehydrated and does not wilt.
h. Vesicles – packaging of final products headed to the plasma membrane large and
central in plants.
i. Peroxisomes – organelles that detoxify various substances producing hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) as a byproduct and Contain enzymes that breakdown hydrogen
peroxide into water and oxygen.
j. Cilia and Flagella – threadlike structures Known for their properties in single
celled organisms; the beating motion of the structures propels organisms
through watery environments.
k. Animal Cells
 i. Lysosomes – small membrane – enclosed structures containing digestive
enzymes; used for intracellular digestion and apoptosis.
ii. Centrioles – small paired cylindrical structures found in microtubule
organizing centers (MTOCs) and used in cell division.
l. Plant Cells
i. Chloroplast – component of exoskeleton; contain chlorophyll (light
capturing pigments that make plants green).
ii. Cell Wall – ridged layer made of cellulose found outside the plasma
membrane providing support for the cell; protecting against osmotic
changes.
1. Fungi – cell wall made of chitin (modified polysaccharide).
Structural
Characteristics of
Different Cell Types
Structure Prokaryote Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell Wall
Plasma Membrane
Membrane-Bound
Organelles
Nucleus
Centrioles
Ribosomes
m. Endosymbiont theory – all eukaryotic cells came from bacterial cells that lived
together; proof – all chloroplasts and mitochondria have own DNA and are
autonomous.
2. Cell membrane – separates the internal environment of cell from external environment
and regulates movement of substances inside and out of the cell.
a. Phospholipid bilayer – double layered structure made of phospholipids and
proteins; hydrophobic fatty acid tails face inward and hydrophilic phosphate
heads face outward; semipermeable meaning that only some substances and
molecules can pass though (small hydrophobic).
b. Proteins in the Bilayer
i. Peripheral Proteins – loosely associated with lipid bilayer located on the
inner or outer surface.
ii. Integral Protein – firmly bound to the plasma membrane.
iii. Transmembrane Protein – integral proteins extending throughout the
membrane.
iv. Adhesion Proteins – form junctions between adjacent cells.
v. Receptor Proteins – serve as docking sites for the arrivals at cells.
vi. Transport Proteins – pump using ATP that actively transport solutes
across the membrane.
vii. Channel Proteins – form channels that serve as the passage of certain
ions or molecules.
 viii. Cell Surface Markers – (glycoproteins) exposed on extracellular surface
and play a role in cell recognition and adhesion.
c. Fluid Mosaic Model – arrangement of phospholipids and proteins; layer is
flexible because of different proteins and carbohydrate chains; proteins,
cholesterol, glycoproteins and glycolipids among phospholipids; membrane is
hydrophilic on inside and outside, hydrophobic within membrane – only
hydrophobic substances can pass through the cell without assistance.
d. Transport Across Membrane – ability of molecules to move across the cell
membrane based on permeability and size/charge of molecule passing through.
i. Facilitated Transport – proteins that allow specific channels only allowing
specific molecules through.
1. Aquaporins – water – specific channels.
ii. Passive Transport – substance moving by diffusion without outside
energy.
1. Simple Diffusion – from high to low concentration (hydrophobic
diffusion); small, uncharged move freely through phospholipids;
ex. CO2, O2 (passive; no energy; no protein carrier).
2. Facilitated Diffusion – large or charged from high to low, passive;
with protein carrier; ex. glucose, K+.
iii. Active transport – from low to high concentration; uses ATP and a
protein; ex. sodium potassium pump.
e. Endocytosis – cell membrane forms a pocket, pinches in taking large substances
trying to cross the membrane, then eventually forms either a vacuole or vesicle
(membrane surrounds and forms vesicles) Usually with bacteria and viruses.
i. Phagocytosis – cell takes in solids through endocytosis.
ii. Pinocytosis – cell takes in liquid through endocytosis; nonspecific fluids
are taken in in large quantities from the extracellular space.
iii. Receptor Mediated Endocytosis – cell surface receptors that work in
partnership with endocytic pits that are lined with a protein called
clathrin; a vesicle forms around the incoming ligand and carries it inside
the cell; as folding in of the cell membrane occurs.
f. Bulk Flow – one-way movement of fluids brought by pressure.
g. Dialysis – diffusion of solutes across a selectively permeable membrane; can sort
and filter substances by using the process of diffusion.
h. Exocytosis – cell ejects waste products or specific secretion products by the
fusion of a vesicle with the plasma membrane expelling the contents into the
extracellular space (reverse endocytosis).
i. Osmosis – diffusion of water using a selectively permeable membrane; passive
with no proteins; solvent moves both substances towards equilibrium; not
permeable to the solute.
j. Diffusion – diffusion of a solute that is permeable in the membrane.
k. Water potential – (solute osmotic potential) measure of potential energy in
water; and describes the eagerness of water to flow from an area of high water
 potential to an area of low water potential; pressure potential plus pressure
potential.
i. Solutes always lower water potential; pressure can increase or decrease
depending on if it is negative or positive.
ii. Water potential explains how much water moves from soil into plant
roots and how plants transport water from roots to leaves to support
photosynthesis.
l. Plant cells have pressure related to cell wall and vacuole; turgor pressure.
m. Tonicity – used to describe osmotic gradients (comparing a solution to a cell).
i. Hypertonic – more total dissolved solutes than the cell.
ii. Hypotonic – less total dissolved solutes than the cell.
iii. Isotonic solutions – equal solute concentration inside and outside the
cell.
n. Surface Area to Volume Ratio – Exchange going on between the inside and
outside of things that must be kept large and so there is lots of space allowing
certain exchanges to occur.
i. increases rate at which food can be taken in a waste expelled.