Cell Structure and Organization Study Guide – Chapters 6 and 7
The basic unit of life is the cell. All cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane composed of a
phospholipid bilayer, various proteins and carbohydrates, and other lipids. Eukaryotic cells differ
from prokaryotic cells in that they contain membrane-bound organelles. Plant cells differ from
animal cells most notably in that they have a cell wall and chloroplasts.
Learning Goals


Describe the structure and functions of cellular organelles.
Explain how plasma membranes regulate the cellular environment.
Vocabulary
Cytosol
Eukaryotic cell
Prokaryotic cell
Nucleoid
Cytoplasm
Plasma membrane
Flagellum
Centrosome
Cytoskeleton
Microfilaments
Microtubules
Microvilli
Peroxisome
Endoplasmic reticulum
(ER)
Mitochondrion
Nuclear envelope
Nucleolus
Chromatin
Ribosomes
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
Nucleus
Cell wall
Central vacuole
Chloroplast
Plasmodesmata
Nuclear lamina
Endomembrane system
Vescicles
Smooth ER
Rough ER
Phagocytosis
Endosymbiont theory
Cristae
Mitochondrial matrix
Thylakoids
Granum
Stroma
Plastid
Centrioles
Flagella
Cilia
Microfilaments
Actin
Myosin
Extracellular matrix
Collagen
Tight junctions
Desmosomes
Gap junctions
Amphipathic
Fluid mosaic
Phospholipid
Integral proteins
Peripheral proteins
Glycolipids
Glycoproteins
Transport proteins
Aquaporins
Diffusion
Osmosis
Concentration
gradient
Active transport
Passive transport
Isotonic
Hypertonic
Hypotonic
Turgid
Flaccid
Plasmolysis
Osmoregulation
Facilitated diffusion
Ion channels
Gated channels
Sodium-potassium
pump
Membrane potential
Electrochemical
gradient
Proton pump
Cotransport
Exocytosis
Endocytosis
Ligands
Analysis Questions
1. What is the size range for cells? Why are they
generally so small?
2. What are the characteristics of the endomembrane
system?
3. How did eukaryotic cells most likely evolve?
4. Explain the roles of actin and myosin in muscle
contraction.
5. When looking though a microscope, how do you
distinguish plant cells from animal cells?
6. Describe the structural characteristics of the
cytoplasm.
7. What roles do proteins play in cellular membranes?
(There are at least six.)
8. Is cholesterol beneficial for plasmid membranes?
Explain.
8. Explain the purpose of chemical and electrochemical
gradients and how they are established.
9. Which substances are most likely to pass through a
cell membrane passively? Explain.
10. If stranded at sea, would it be better for you to
drink salt water, no water, or urine? Explain. (The
answer is not in the book. Draw upon what you’ve
learned.)
11. Review the National Institutes of Health website
(http://health.nih.gov/) to answer the following
question: What is the role of the protein cystic fibrosis
transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)? What
are the consequences if CFTR does not work properly?