BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
Module 2: Cell Biology –Activities of the Cell
Introduction
In this Module, you will learn about how the cell carries out several important functions of life.
One of the characteristics of life is that it takes in energy and materials from the environment.
In Module 1, you learned that a membrane surrounds the cell, to keep the contents in and the
outside environment out. However, each cell still must be able to take in materials that it needs
and send out materials that it does not need. The membrane of a cell is a highly active
structure, designed to selectively move materials in and out of the cell. In a similar fashion,
doors, windows, and vents of a house’ s ‘membrane’ allow selective movement of humans,
animals, and air in and out of the house.
The energy that a cell takes in is not in the form that cells need, so this energy must be
converted. There are two specialized organelles that convert energy: mitocho ndria, which are
found in both plant and animal cells and chloroplasts, which are found only in plant cells.
Chloroplasts convert solar energy to chemical energy and store it in sugar molecules.
Mitochondria convert the energy stored in carbohydrates into ATP, a high-energy molecule that
is used to drive many reactions in the cell.
As you work through the chapters of the text that support this unit, you will learn that even
though humans do not have chloroplasts and cannot convert solar energy to chemical energy,
humans still are absolutely dependent on photosynthesis for life.
Module Learning Outcomes:
Once you have finished this module you will be able to:
 Explain how the cell ’ s plasma membrane regulates the passage of materials in and out of
thecell.
 Describe energy and metabolism.
 Explain how cells harvest energy from glucose to create ATP.
The concepts in this chapter rely heavily on conceptual models. There are many
animations available to you on the text website that will help you to visualize and
understand these models.
Topic 2.1
Structure and Function of the Cell Membrane
In this topic, you will learn how molecules get across a cell membrane and how the structure of
the membrane allows selective passage of molecules. The purpose of the membrane is to
contain the cytoplasm and the organelles, but a cell also needs to take up molecules it needs
from the outside and to eliminate waste molecules. Many cells also excrete/secrete molecules
that are manufactured by the cell, like digestive enzymes or hormones . You will learn that cells
use several different methods for transporting molecules across the membrane. The method
used depends on the type of molecule being transport ed. Some of the factors that determine
the mode of transport are the size of the molecule, the polarity of the molecule, and the
concentration of the molecule.
Topic Learning Outcomes
a. Label a diagram of the plasma membrane.
b. Explain the structure and function of each the components of the plasma membrane.
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BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
c. Explain the various ways in which molecules can get across the cell membrane.
d. Explain the differences between passive transport, facilitated transport, and active transport
e. Compare and contrast diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, active transport, endocytosis,
and exocytosis.
f. Diagram the movement of a secreted product through the cell – the endomembrane system.
Learning Activities for Topic 2.1
Done
√
Task
Activity Description
HINT:
Read everything before doing anything!Before you proceed further in Module 2
of this course, take time to review the activities in the module and identify the
resources that you need to obtain – this way you will be sure you have them
available when you need them!
READ
Chapter 3 of Mader, Sections 3.3 and 3.4
HINT: Look over Summarizing the Concepts at the end of Chapter 1 before you begin
the reading. This will help you identify the important ideas/concepts so you can take
note of them as you come across them.
√
CHECK
Progress
Check your Progress Sections 3.3 and 3.4
HINT: Complete the Check Your Progress sections as you come across them. They will
help you pick out the key ideas and to check that you understand the reading.
√
LAB
ACTIVITY
Lab 2A – Investigating Tonicity
Complete the lab by filling in the data tables and completing the questions in
Thinking About the Results. The lab instructions are to be found at the end of the
assignment. The lab will be submitted along with the completed Module Assignment.
This lab requires that you prepare salt solutions. Allow time for this preparation.
Prepare the potatoes just before use. Borrow a food scale if you can as this is the best
tool to use in this experiment. Otherwise, use a clear plastic metric ruler to make the
potato pieces.
Review Activities for Topic 2.1
OPTIONAL
REVIEW
MATERIAL
On-Line “”CONNECT”
If you have an Internet connection, you can use "Connect". These extra pictures, video
Clips and activitiesare provided by the textbook publisher. They are not required for the
course, but they can be very interesting. The URL for the site is:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073525464/student_view0/index.html
If this link is not clickable, copy and paste it into your browser address bar.
Connect resources include practice tests, animations and videos, pictures, PowerPoint
slides of the illustrations from the text and flashcards.
Read over "Summarizing the Concepts" for the chapter/sections covered. It is useful to
help you focus on the important concepts covered in the Topic.
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BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
The Key Concepts section highlights the important ideas/concepts from the chapter. Be
sure you can define each and understand its importance.
Be careful to watch your time. Connect should only be looked at once you have done the
required learning activities.
REVIEW
√
You should be able to define or describe these key concepts:






The fluid-mosaic membrane model
Plasma Membrane
Phospholipid bilayer
Protein
Cholesterol
Phospholipid (hydrophilic and hydrophobic)
Carbohydrate chain
Diffusion, Osmosis
Passive, Facilitated and Active transport
Endocytosis and Exocytosis
The Endomembrane System
√
VOCABULARY
List new words and allow space for you to write definition in your own words. This
glossary of technical terms will be important for you for test and final examination
preparation.
√
SELF
TEST
Do the following questions: Testing Your Knowledge - Chapter 3: 5 to 7 and 11 to
14
Topic 2.2
Metabolism and Cellular Respiration
As has been previously stated, life is the collective result of a wide array of chemical reactions
taking place inside cells. All of the chemical reactions that occur in a cell are the cell ’s
metabolism. Anabolism refers to reactions that result in the creation of larger molecules and
usually needs an input of energy. Incontrast, catabolism is the breakdown of molecules into
smaller parts, and usually results in the release of energy. In cells the process of breaking down
glucose to produce energy is called cellular respiration.
Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, are crucial to the cell ’ s metabolism. A catalyst is a
chemical that speeds up a reaction, but is not used up or converted to anything else. Catalysts
can be reused by a reaction. In a chemical reaction, reactants are converted to products. For a
reaction to occur, the reactants must come in contact with each other. In a solution without a
catalyst, reactions can happen when the reactants collide with each other. Without a catalyst,
this would happen only occasionally, and certainly not fast enough to support life activities.
Adding heat (within limits)also increases the speed that the molecules move and increases the
number of collisions that occur between molecules. Enzymes function by bringing reactants
together and reducing the heat needed (the activation energy) to allow the reaction to happen.
Remember that enzymes are proteins with a very specific 3D structure. This 3D structure makes
an enzyme very specific to a reaction. So specific that each chemical reaction that happens in a
cell (and there are thousands) requires its ver y own enzyme! Thus an enzyme can control an
individual reaction. The three-dimensional structure of an enzyme produces an “active site”. An
active site on an enzyme is where the reactants - also known as the enzyme’s substrates - can
come together (bind) and undergo a chemical reaction.
Topic Learning Outcomes
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Describe what a biochemical (metabolic) pathway is.
Explain how enzymes work.
Explain how the factors that affect enzymatic speed cause their effects.
Describe where energy conversion takes place in the cell.
Describe the role of ATP in the cell.
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BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
f. Summarize the overall reaction of cellular respiration.
g. Describe the four stages of glucose breakdown: glycolysis, the transition reaction, the citric
acid cycle, and the electron transport chain with respect to their starting reactants, end
products, and relationship to ATP production.
h. Identify where in the cell each stage of cellular respiration occurs.
i. Describe fermentation, and explain why it is used.
j. Compare and contrast cellular respiration and fermentation.
Learning Activities for Topic 2.2
Done
√
√
Task
Activity Description
HINT:
Read everything before doing anything!Before you proceed further in Module 2
of this course, take time to review the activities in the module and identify the
resources that you need to obtain – this way you will be sure you have them
available when you need them!
READ
Chapter 2 of Mader, Sections 2.7 and Chapter 3 of Mader, Section 3.6
CHECK
Progress
Check your Progress 3.6
HINT: Complete the Check Your Progress sections as you come across them. They will
help you pick out the key ideas and to check that you understand the reading.
√
LAB
ACTIVITY
Lab 2B - Enzymes
Complete the lab by filling in the data tables and completing the questions in
Thinking About the Results. The lab instructions are to be found at the end of the
assignment. The lab will be submitted along with the completed Module Assignment.
This lab requires that you have fresh liver. This can be chicken or beef liver and may be
purchased at the grocery store. Hydrogen peroxide (usually 3%) may be purchased at a
grocery store or pharmacy.
Review Activities for Topic 2.2
OPTIONAL
REVIEW
MATERIAL
On-Line “”CONNECT”
If you have an Internet connection, you can use "Connect". These extra pictures, video
Clips and activitiesare provided by the textbook publisher. They are not required for the
course, but they can be very interesting. The URL for the site is:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073525464/student_view0/index.html
If this link is not clickable, copy and paste it into your browser address bar.
Connect resources include practice tests, animations and videos, pictures, PowerPoint
slides of the illustrations from the text and flashcards.
Read over "Summarizing the Concepts" for the chapter/sections covered. It is useful to
help you focus on the important concepts covered in the Topic.
The Key Concepts section highlights the important ideas/concepts from the chapter. Be
sure you can define each and understand its importance.
Document12016-03-14 11:27:00 PM4 / 7
BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
Be careful of your time. Connect should only be looked at after you have done the
required learning activities.
REVIEW
√
You should be able to define or describe these key concepts:








Synthesis and Degradation
Model of Enzyme Function
Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis (Fermentation)
Krebs Cycle
Electron Transport System
ATP Synthesis
Anaerobic Respiration
√
VOCABULARY
List new words and allow space for you to write definition in your own words. This
glossary of technical terms will be important for you for test and final examination
preparation.
√
SELF
TEST
Do the following questions: Testing Your Knowledge – Chapter 2: 13; Chapter 3:
9, 10, 20 to 22
Topic 2.3
DNA/RNA Structure and Function
James Watson and Francis Crick worked out the structure of DNA in 1953. Since then we have been
on voyage of discovery that has led us to not only understand how DNA works in an individual, but to
be able to manipulate DNA to our own ends. We have also come to understand how DNA, through an
intermediate, RNA, controls and regulates the functioning of every cell in an organism, controlling the
chemical ballet that determines whether a cell is a liver cell, muscle cell or nerve cell. In Topic 2.3
you will study structure of DNA and how this structure enables DNA to exert this control. You will also
study how RNA, acting as the “agent” or messenger of DNA, communicates the information encoded
in the DNA molecule to the structures in the cell that produce proteins, the molecules that ultimately
determine the structure and function (and therefore identity) of a cell.
Topic Learning Outcomes
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Describe the structure of DNA.
Explain how DNA replicates.
Compare DNA to RNA.
Describe the forms of RNA found in the cell and their function.
Describe the events of transcription and translation, and indicate the location of these events
in the cell.
f. Describe how mRNA is processed after transcription.
g. Describe how DNA exerts its effect through gene expression.
h. Describe the genetic code.
i. Describe how gene mutations occur.
Done
√
Task
Activity Description
HINT:
Read everything before doing anything!Before you proceed further in Module 2
of this course, take time to review the activities in the module and identify the
resources that you need to obtain – this way you will be sure you have them
available when you need them!
READ
Chapter 2 of Mader, Section 7; Chapter 21 of Mader, Sections 1 and 2
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BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
√
CHECK
Progress
Check your Progress 2.7, 21.1 and 21.2
HINT: Complete the Check Your Progress sections as you come across them. They will
help you pick out the key ideas and to check that you understand the reading.
Review Activities for Topic 2.3
OPTIONAL
REVIEW
MATERIAL
On-Line “”CONNECT”
If you have an Internet connection, you can use "Connect". These extra pictures, video
Clips and activitiesare provided by the textbook publisher. They are not required for the
course, but they can be very interesting. The URL for the site is:
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073525464/student_view0/index.html
If this link is not clickable, copy and paste it into your browser address bar.
Connect resources include practice tests, animations and videos, pictures, PowerPoint
slides of the illustrations from the text and flashcards.
Read over "Summarizing the Concepts" for the chapter/sections covered. It is useful to
help you focus on the important concepts covered in the Topic.
The Key Concepts section highlights the important ideas/concepts from the chapter. Be
sure you can define each and understand its importance.
Be careful to watch your time. Connect should only be looked at once you have done the
required learning activities.
√
REVIEW
You should be able to define or describe these key concepts:




√
VOCABULARY
√
SELF
TEST
The chemical structure of DNA and RNA
How DNA and RNA interact to control protein synthesis
The processes of transcription and translation
The effect of changes in the base sequence of DNA
List new words and allow space for you to write definition in your own words. This
glossary of technical terms will be important for you for test and final examination
preparation.
Do the following questions: Testing Your Knowledge - Chapter 2: 12 and Chapter
21: 1 - 5, 10 - 14
Submit Assignments
ASST 2
Complete Assignment 2 and submit it along with all 2 Lab activities.
If you are mailing your papers in be sure that your name and the assignment
name appear clearly on your papers.
If you are submitting your papers electronically, remember to name your file
BIOL0601_assignmentX_first name_last name.doc and submit through the
Assignments Button.
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BIOL0601Provincial Biology: Module 2: Cell Biology – Activities of the Cell
MODULE 2 is COMPLETE!
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