Chapter 4 - The Biology of the Cell
Learning Objectives:
4.1 Introduction to Cells
 4.1a How Cells Are Studied
 4.1b Cell Size and Shape
 4.1c Common Features and General Functions
4.2 Chemical Structure of the Plasma Membrane
 4.2a Lipid Components
o 4.2.1 List the lipid components of the plasma membrane, and explain the actions of each
component.
 4.2b Membrane Proteins
o 4.2.2 Differentiate between the two types of membrane proteins based on their relative
position in the plasma membrane.
o 4.2.3 Name the six major roles played by membrane proteins.
4.3 Membrane Transport
 4.3a Passive Processes: Diffusion
o 4.3.1 Summarize the general concept of diffusion.
o 4.3.2 Distinguish between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion that occur in cells.
 4.3b Passive Processes: Osmosis
o 4.3.3 Define osmosis.
o 4.3.4 Define osmotic pressure.
o 4.3.5 Describe the relationship of osmosis and tonicity.
 4.3c Active Processes
o 4.3.6 Compare and contrast primary and secondary active transport.
o 4.3.7 Explain the difference between exocytosis and endocytosis.
o 4.3.8 Describe the endocytotic processes of phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptormediated endocytosis.
4.4 Cell Communication
 4.4a Direct Contact Between Cells
o 4.4.1 Explain how cells communicate through direct contact.
 4.4b Ligand-Receptor Signaling
o 4.4.2 Describe the three general mechanisms of response to the binding of a ligand with
a receptor.
4.5 Cellular Structures
 4.5a Membrane-Bound Organelles
o 4.5.1 List the membrane-bound organelles of a typical human cell.
o 4.5.2 Describe the structure and main function(s) of each.
 4.5b Non-Membrane-Bound Organelles
o 4.5.3 List the non-membrane-bound organelles of a typical human cell.
o 4.5.4 Describe the structure and main function(s) of each.
 4.5c Structures of the Cell’s External Surface
o
4.5.5 Distinguish between cilia and flagella.
o 4.5.6 Describe the function of microvilli.
 4.5d Membrane Junctions
o 4.5.7 Compare and contrast the structure and function of the three major types of
membrane junctions.
4.6 Structure of the Nucleus
 4.6a Nuclear Envelope and Nucleolus
o 4.6.1 Describe the nuclear envelope.
o 4.6.2 Explain the structure and function of a nucleolus.
 4.6b DNA, Chromatin, and Chromosomes
o 4.6.3 Describe the relationship of DNA, chromatin, and genes.
4.7 Function of the Nucleus and Ribosomes
 4.7a Transcription: Synthesizing RNA
o 4.7.1 List the required structures for transcription.
o 4.7.2 Explain the three steps of transcription.
 4.7b Translation: Synthesizing Protein
o 4.7.3 List the required structures for translation.
o 4.7.4 Name the three functional forms of RNA, explain what is meant by codon, and
identify three types of codon sequences.
o 4.7.5 Describe the three steps of translation.
 4.7c DNA as the Control Center of a Cell
o 4.7.6 Explain why DNA is considered the cell’s control center.
4.8 Cell Division
 4.8a Cellular Structures
o 4.8.1 Explain the structure and function of centrioles in cell division.
o 4.8.2 Describe the structural difference between chromatin and chromosomes, and note
when each is present in a cell.
 4.8b The Cell Cycle
o 4.8.3 Summarize the phases of the cell cycle and the activities that occur in each phase.
o 4.8.4 Name and explain the four main stages of mitosis.
o 4.8.5 Explain the function of cytokinesis.
4.9 Cell Aging and Death
 4.9.1 Define apoptosis.
o 4.9.2 List the actions that occur in a cell during apoptosis.