Q1.

Put these in size order: Bacterium, Human Liver Cell, Ribosome, Insulin (a
protein), Human Egg, a Carbon Atom. (Check your answer against figure 4.1E)...Carbon
Atom, Insulin, Ribosome, Bacterium, Human Liver Cell, and Human Egg.
Q2. Why can’t cells get very big? Because they need to have a surface area large enough to
service the volume of a cell.
1. As cell size increases, what happens to its surface-to-volume ratio? Larger cells
have a much smaller surface area relative to their volume, than small cells.
Q3. What is the structure and function of the Plasma Membrane? Structure: amazingly
thin, but strong. Function: separates life from nonlife.
Q4. There are two kinds of cells in nature.
1. Prokaryotic Cells- lacks a membrane-enclosed nucleus and other
membrane-enclosed organelles, found only in the Bacteria and Archaea domains.
2. Eukaryotic Cells- have a membrane-enclosed nucleus and other membrane-enclosed
organelles, found in all organisms except those in Bacteria and Archaea domains.
Q5. All cells have some features in common (list them, define any you aren’t familiar
with): In addition to being bounded by a plasma membrane, the interior of all cells is filled
with Cytosol- a thick, jellylike semifluid, in which cellular components are suspended. All
cells have one or more Chromosomes- structures that carry genes made of DNA. They also
contain Ribosomes- structures consisting of RNA and protein, that make proteins according
to the instructions from genes. The inside of both types of cells is Cytoplasm- interior
consisting of Cytosol. However, in Eukaryotic Cells, Cytoplasm is only the region between
the nucleus and the plasma membrane.
Q6. Draw figure 4.3 (a Bacterium) for yourself. Label and be sure to define each part.
Take note of what a Prokaryotic Cell contains, so that you can easily see what it is
missing compared to a Eukaryotic Cell!
Q7. Compare and contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells:
1. Differences:
a. Membrane-Enclosed Nucleus and other Membrane-Enclosed Organelles
i. Eukaryotic Cells, yes.
ii. Prokaryotic Cells, no.
b. Bacteria and Archaea domains
 i. Eukaryotic Cells, in all organisms except those.
1. Prokaryotic Cells, in only those.
c. Structure and Function
i. Eukaryotic Cells, large and perform many specific functions.
ii. Prokaryotic Cells, smaller and simpler.
2. Similarities:
a. Bounded by a Plasma Membrane.
b. Filled with Cytosol.
c. Contain 1 or more Chromosomes (carrying genes made of DNA)
d. Contain Ribosomes.
e. Cytoplasm Interior.
Q8. What is the advantage for the cell in having “compartments'' within a Eukaryotic
Cell? The fluid-filled spaces within Eukaryotic Cell’s “compartments” are locations where
specific chemical conditions are maintained; these conditions vary among organelles and
favor the metabolic processing occurring in each.
Q9. Compare and contrast a Plant cell and an Animal cell. Examine diagrams of typical
Organelles of Plant and Animal cells, what differences do you see?
1. Differences:
a. Structure
i. Only in Plant Cells...Chloroplasts, Central Vacuole, Cell Wall, and
Plasmodesmata
ii. Only in Animal Cells...Lysosomes and Centrosomes
iii. Animal Cells have Flagella or Cilia.
1. Plants Cells, only the sperm cells of a few species have
Flagella.
2. Similarities (observed from diagrams):
a. Nucleus
b. Smooth and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
c. Golgi Apparatus
d. Mitochondrion
Q10. Genetic Control of the cell: The Nucleus and Ribosomes
1. Name and sketch the structure that matches the functional description of each
component below:
a. The cell’s genetic instructions inside the nucleus: DNA.
b. A barrier separating the cell’s genetic information from the cell’s cytosol:
Nuclear Envelope.
c. How materials enter and exit the nucleus: Proteins.
2. A cell with many Ribosomes tells you what about this cell’s function? The cell makes
a lot of proteins.
3. What is the difference between proteins that are made on either:
a. Free Ribosomes in the Cytosol: Free Ribosomes make proteins that function
within the Cytosol; i.e. Enzymes that catalyze the first steps of sugar breakdown
for Cellular Respiration.
b. Ribosomes attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum or Nuclear Envelope:
Bound Ribosomes make proteins that will be exported from the cell.
Q11. The Endomembrane System
1. The rough ER and Golgi form a functional unit that helps to produce what for the
cell? Describe this process, as this will be a major focus of our study of cells.
(Drawing will help you work through biological processes.) Proteins.
a. As the Polypeptide is Synthesized by Bound Ribosome following the instructions
of an mRNA, it is threaded into the cavity of the Rough ER.
b. As it enters, the new protein folds into it’s 3D shape. Short chains of sugars are
often linked to the Polypeptide, making it a Glycoprotein- sugar protein
c. When the Glycoprotein is ready for export from the ER, it is packaged in a
Transport Vesicle- a vesicle that moves from one part of the cell to another.
d. The Transport Vesicle buds off from the ER Membrane.
e. Then the Transport Vesicle carries the Glycoprotein to the Golgi Apparatus for
further processing.
f. From there, a Transport Vesicle containing the finished molecule makes its way to
the Plasma Membrane and releases its contents from the cell.
 2. What is the function of Lysosomes? Lysosomes fuse with food vacuoles and digest the
food, then the nutrients are released into the Cytosol. They also serve as recycling
centers. Cells enclose damaged organelles or small amounts of Cytosol in Vesicles.
Lysosomes fuse with those Vesicles and dismantle their contents, making organic
molecules available for reuse.
a. What is one disease associated with malfunction of the Lysosomal Enzymes?
Tay-Sachs Disease.
Q12. Energy-Converting Organelles
1. What is the function of Mitochondria? Mitochondria carry out Cellular
Respiration in nearly all Eukaryotic Cells. Energy and Matter.
a. Do prokaryotes have? No. Animal cells? Yes. Plant cells? Yes.
2. What is the function of Chloroplasts? Drives Photosynthesis. Energy-Storage and
Energy-Matter?
a. Do prokaryotes have? No. Animal cells? No. Plant cells? Yes.
3. Draw pictures of both a mitochondrion and a chloroplast (as these structures of
these become very important to our discussion of cellular respiration and
photosynthesis)
4. What are the names of each compartment/spaces? (Be sure they are labeled on
your pictures). How many Phospholipid Bi-layer Membranes in each?
a. The Mitochondria has 2 Phospholipid Bi-layer Membranes, and the
Chloroplasts has 3.
i. Mitochondria Compartments:
1. Intermembrane Space- the narrow region between the Inner
and Outer Membranes.
2. Mitochondrial Matrix- enclosed in the Inner Membrane,
contains Mitochondrial DNA and Ribosomes, as well as
Enzymes that Catalyze some of the reactions of Cellular
Respiration.
ii. Chloroplast Compartments:
1. Stroma- contains Chloroplast DNA and Ribosomes, as well as
many Enzymes
 2. Thylakoids- a network of interconnected sacs, suspended in
the Stroma.
3. Granum- each stack of Thylakoid sacs, that are stacked like
poker chips.
5. All Eukaryotes have Mitochondria, but not all Eukaryotes have Chloroplasts.
Can you propose an evolutionary explanation for this observation?
Endosymbiont Theory; The first Endosymbiosis would have given rise to
Eukaryotic Cells containing Mitochondria. A second Endosymbiotic event gave rise
to cells containing Chloroplasts, as well as Mitochondria.
Q13. What is the function of the Cytoskeleton? The Cytoskeleton provides structural
support, and aids in internal and external movement.
1. Name three Fibers that make-up the Cytoskeleton? Microtubules- straight,
hollow tubes composed of Tubulins- Globular proteins; guides transport vesicles
from Golgi apparatus to plasma membrane. Intermediate Filaments- various
Fibrous proteins that supercoil into cables; holds nucleus in place in animal cells.
Microfilaments- (Actin FIlaments) solid rods composed mainly of Actin- Globular
proteins, arranged in a twisted double chain; contracts muscle cells.
Q14. Why does cell structure and function matter? Cells provide Structure and Function for
all living things, from Microorganisms to Humans.

(*Please read two very short articles about cystic fibrosis posted on Sakai)
Many diseases are based in defective cellular structures or macromolecular components.
Let’s explore one disease where lung cells and a few other cells of the body malfunction:
Cystic Fibrosis.
1. How does someone get Cystic Fibrosis? They inherit it, it is a mutated gene.
2. What is the median age of survival now? 37 +
3. Major symptoms associated with the disease are: The buildup of thick mucus, lung
infections, destruction of the pancreas, and complications in other parts of the body.
4. The first line of drugs that helped improve the quality of life did what? Pulmozyme
(1994)- makes the mucus thinner and easier to expel; Tobramycin- delivers medication
straight to the lungs, providing a better way to fight off infections, including those caused
 by Pseudomonas bacteria; Inhaled Hypertonic Saline (2004)- helps clear mucus by
drawing salt and water back into dehydrated airways straight into the lungs, cuts
pulmonary flare-ups in half.
5. What’s the link in this article to UNC? Dr. Richard Boucher, director of the Cystic
Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center at UNC.
6. What does a CFTR Modulator do? CFTR Modulators are new therapies designed to
address the underlying cause of CF.