CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
Goal: The study of biology is really the study of living cells. In order to understand all living
things we need to understand the cell its parts and their functions. You should also be aware
plant and animal cells have both similarities and differences. Read Chapter 3, pgs. 45-66 in “Inquiry
into Life”, Mader 11th edition, and using the following questions as a guide make notes on the following topics.
You may be required to access the internet or other resources to supplement your textbook.
Cell Size
1. Why are we made of many small cells rather that fewer larger cells?
Eukaryotic Cells
1. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
Cell Organelles
You will be expected to identify, on a diagram or EM photomicrograph, and provide the function for the
following cell organelles
1. Cell membrane
a. Describe the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane. You are also expected
to identify these structures in a diagram.
2. Cytoplasm
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the cytoplasm.
b. What is the relationship between the cytoplasm and the cell membrane?
c. Describe the ‘cytoskeleton’?
3. Nucleus
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the nucleus.
b. Why is the nucleus essential to an animal cell?
c. Differentiate between chromatin and DNA
d. Describe the nuclear envelope and provide its function.
3. Nucleolus
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the nucleolus.
b. What is the function or ribosomal RNA?
4. Ribosomes
a. Provide the function.
b. Describe the chemical composition and where ribosomes are located in the
cell.
c. What is the functional difference between attached and unattached
ribosomes?
d. Describe the structure and provide the function of polyribosomes.
5. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
a. Provide the functions of both rough ER and smooth ER.
b. Describe the distribution of ER within the cell.
c. Smooth ER has a very large surface area. How is this related to its function?
d. How do ribosomes and the ER function together?
6. Golgi apparatus
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the Golgi apparatus.
b. Describe the physical appearance of Golgi.
c. Explain how the ER, ribosomes, vesicles, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane
function together.
7. Vacuoles
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the vacuoles.
b. Distinguish between a vacuole and a vesicle.
c. Distinguish between plant cell vacuoles and animal cell vacuoles.
8. Lysosomes
a. Describe the location and provide the functions of the lysosomes.
b. Why are lysosomes frequently found near the Golgi apparatus?
c. Describe how lysosome structure is related to its function.
d. What type of cells have peroxisomes and what is their function?
9. Mitochondria
a. Describe the location and provide the function of the mitochondria.
b. Identify, list and provide the function for the structures that make up a
mitochondria (figure 3.9, pg 57).
c. Why are the cristae convoluted?
d. Explain the relationship between chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Prokaryotic Cells
1. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells