Topic 1 Cells

A.S. Obj. 1.1 Cell Theory (3h)
1.1.1 3
Discuss the theory that living organisms are composed of cells.
Skeletal muscle and some fungal hyphae are not divided into cells but have a multinucleate cytoplasm. Some biologists consider unicellular organisms to be acellular.
1.1.2 1 State that a virus is a non-cellular structure consisting of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat.
1.1.3 1 State that all cells are formed from other cells.
1.1.4 3
Explain three advantages of using light microscopes.
Advantages include colour images instead of monochrome, a larger field of view, easily prepared sample material, the possibility of examining living material and observing movement.
1.1.5 2
Outline the advantages of using electron microscopes.
In comparing electron and light microscopes, the terms 'resolution' and 'magnification' should be explained. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes should be mentioned briefly, but the principles of how they work need not be discussed.
1.1.6 1
Define organelle.
An organelle is a discrete structure within a cell, and has a specific function.
1.1.7 2
Compare the relative sizes of molecules, cell membrane thickness, viruses, bacteria, organelles and cells, using appropriate SI units.
Appreciation of relative size is required, such as molecules (1nm), thickness of membranes (10nm), viruses (100nm), bacteria (1µm), organelles (up to 10µm), cells (up to 100µm). The three dimensional nature/shape of cells should be emphasized.
1.1.8 2
Calculate the linear magnification of drawings.
Drawings should show cells and cell ultrastructure with scale bars (e.g. |-------| 1µm). Magnification could also be stated, e.g. x250.
1.1.9 3
Explain the importance of the surface area to volume ratio as a factor limiting cell size.
Mention the concept that the rate of metabolism of a cell is a function of its mass/volume; whereas the rate of exchange of materials and energy (heat) is a function of its surface area. Simple mathematical models involving cubes and the changes in the ratio that occur as the sides increase by one unit could be compared.
1.1.10 1 State that unicellular organisms carry out all the functions of life.
1.1.11 3 Explain that cells in multicellular organisms differentiate to carry out specialized functions by expressing some of the genes but not others.
1.1.12 1 Define tissue, organ and organ system.
    1.2 Prokaryotic cells (1h)
1.2.1 1
Draw a generalized prokaryotic cell as seen in electron micrographs.
Use images of bacteria as seen in electron micrographs to show the structure. The diagram should show the cell wall, plasma membrane, mesosome, cytoplasm, ribosomes and nucleoid (region containing naked DNA).
1.2.2 1 State one function for each of the following: cell wall, plasma membrane, mesosome, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and naked DNA.
1.2.3 1 State that prokaryotes show a wide range of metabolic activity including fermentation, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.
    1.3 Eukaryotic cells (3h)
1.3.1 1
Draw a diagram to show the ultrastructure of a generalized animal cell as seen in electron micrographs.
The diagram to show ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), lysosome, Golgi apparatus, mitochondrion and nucleus.
1.3.2 1
State one function of each of these organelles: ribsomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), lysosome, Golgi apparatus, mitochondrion, and nucleus.
Golgi apparatus will be used in place of Golgi body, complex or dictyosome.
1.3.3 2 Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
1.3.4 2 Describe three differences between plant and animal cells.
1.3.5 1
State the composition and function of the plant cell wall.
The composition of the plant cell wall should be considered only in terms of cellulose microfibrils.
    1.4 Membranes (3h)
1.4.1 1
Draw a diagram showing the fluid mosaic model of a biological membrane.
The diagram should show the phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, glycoproteins and integral and peripheral proteins. Use the term plasma membrane not cell surface membrane for the membrane surrounding the cytoplasm.
Integral proteins are embedded in the phospholipid of the membrane whereas peripheral proteins are attached to its surface. Variations in composition related to the type of membrane, and the functions of cholesterol and glycoproteins, are not required.
1.4.2 3 Explain how the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of phospholipids help to maintain the structure of cell membranes.
1.4.3 1 List the functions of membrane proteins including hormone binding sites, enzymes, electron carriers, channels for passive transport and pumps for active transport.
1.4.4 1
Define diffusion and osmosis.
Osmosis is the passive movement of water molecules, across a partially permeable membrane, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
1.4.5 3 Explain passive transport across membranes in terms of diffusion.
1.4.6 3 Explain the role of protein pumps and ATP in active transport across membranes.
1.4.7 3 Explain how vesicles are used to transport materials within a cell between the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane.
1.4.8 2 Describe how the fluidity of the membrane allows it to change shape, breaks and reform during endocytosis and exocytosis.
    1.5 Cell division (2h)
1.5.1 1 State that the cell-division cycle involves interphase, mitosis and cytokinesis.
1.5.2 1 State that interphase is an active period in the life of a cell when many biochemical reactions occur, as well as DNA transcription and DNA replication.
1.5.3 2
Describe the events that occur in the four phases of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase).
Include supercoiling of chromosomes, attachment of spindle microtubules, splitting of centromeres, movement of sister chromosomes to opposite poles and breakage and reformation of nuclear membranes.
Textbooks vary in the use of chromosome and chromatid. In this course, the two DNA molecules formed by DNA replication are considered to be sister chromatids until the splitting of the centromere at the start of anaphase; after this they are individual chromosomes. The terms centrosome and kinetochore are not expected.
1.5.4 3 Explain how mitosis produces two genetically identical nuclei.
1.5.5 2
Outline the differences in mitosis and cytokinesis between animal and plant cells.
Limit this to the lack of centrioles in plant cells and the formation of the cell plate.
1.5.6 1 State that growth, tissue repair and asexual reproduction involve mitosis.
1.5.7 1 State that tumours (cancers) are the result of uncontrolled cell division and that these can occur in any organ.