Different Types of Cells
Prokaryotic Cells
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Prokaryotic cells are really simple cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus ,unlike eukaryotic cells, instead their DNA floats freely inside the cell.
In fact "pro-karyotic" is Greek for "before nucleus" |
A Prokaryotic cell
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Animal Cells
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Animal cells are eukaryotic cells, meaning that they have a membrane bound nucleus. They also contain other membrane-bound organelles that carry out specific functions that are essential for the cell to carry out normally. There is a wide variety of organelles, with their functions ranging from producing proteins to converting chemical energy into biological energy (ATP).
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Animal cell with labeled organelles
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Plant Cells
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Plant cells are also eukaryotic cells. They , like animals cells, also have membrane-bound organelles that have specific functions that are vital for the cell to carry out its function. There is also a wide variety in organelles with functions ranging from producing proteins to converting light energy into chemical energy then converting chemical energy into biological energy. Moreover, plant cells tend to be more similar to each other in size and shape. Unlike animal cells, plant cells contain some organelles that are slightly different than the ones found in animal cells. Organelles such as single large central vacuole, chloroplasts (type of plastid) and cell walls are unique to plant cells and mark the difference between animal and plant cells.
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Plant cell with labeled organelles. Note the central vacuole, cell wall and chloroplast
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The Four Major Biological Molecules Of Life
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There are four major molecules of life:
1.Carbohydrates 2.Lipids 3.Proteins 4.Nucleic Acids These four molecules are mainly composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. These four molecules are found in ALL living organisms. |
Structures of the four major molecules of life
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Carbohydrates
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Carbohydrates are sugars. These sugars provide short term storage of energy for the cell. They have hexagon shaped structures. Carbohydrates are mostly made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
There are three types of carbohydrates: 1.Monosaccharides Mono = 1 2.Disaccharides Di = 2 3.Polysaccharides Poly = Many Simple sugars are called monosaccharides. These are the most fundamental type of sugar. These simple sugars can combine to make up long chains that become complex sugars. Combining two simple sugars makes up a disaccharide and combining more than two makes up a polysaccharide. |
The three types of Carbohydrates
Some examples of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides
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Lipids
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Lipids are fatty organic compounds that are
insoluble in polar solvents , like water. Their major functions are long term energy storage, and being a structural component of cell membranes. Lipids are mostly made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. There are three types of lipids: 1.Triglycerides 2.Phospholipids 3.Steroids Triglycerides are compounds made of a single molecules of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids that put together make an "E" shape. These provide with long term energy storage for the cell. Phospholipids are made up of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails. They are a major structural component of cell membranes. To form a membrane they form the lipid bilayer, which means that they form two layers of fatty acids with the hydrophilic heads facing outwards and the hydrophobic tails facing towards each other on the inside. They also form this layer when they encounter water. Steroids are lipid-base hormones made of four rings of carbon atoms. They act as hormones inside the body and impact many things including our growth. The most important steroid molecule we have is cholesterol because it is the parent the parent compound from which steroids derive. |
The three types of Lipids
The triglyceride's molecular structure consists of a glycerol backbone and three fatty acids
An example of a lipid bilayer, with the hydrophilic heads facing outwards and the hydrophobic tails facing inwards
Some examples of steroid hormones and their structures
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Proteins
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Proteins have many functions in the body. Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids that link with each other to form long chains. The number and order that the amino acids link up in determines the shape of the protein, and the shape of the protein determines what the function of the protein is.
There are four protein structures (picture on the right): 1. Primary Protein Structure 2. Secondary Protein Structure 3. Tertiary Protein Structure 4. Quaternary Protein Structure |
Amino acids are what proteins are made of when they link up
The four protein structures
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Nucleic Acids
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A nucleic acid is made up of small molecules called nucleotides. There's A (Adenine), C (Cytosine), G (Guanine), and T (Thymine)*.
They pair as follows: A = with T* (double bonds) C ♡ with G (triple bonds) * T is replaced by U (U) in RNA* There are three types of nucleic acids: 1. DNA: found in nucleus & mitochondria 2. RNA: found in nucleus & cytoplasm 3. ATP: energy molecule of life DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid RNA = ribonucleic acid ATP = adenosine triphosphate DNA is the carrier of genetic information in every single one of our cells and is present in all living organisms. It depicts our characteristics (physical and emotional) and is basically what makes each one of us unique. DNA has a sugar phosphate backbone and four base pairs (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine and Thymine) all combined into a DNA strand that is spiraled into the famous double helix. RNA is basically a copy of a part of DNA (gene) it then acts as a messenger to carry the "instructions" (gene) on to a ribosome. The instructions it carries control the synthesis of proteins. Much like DNA, RNA is also made up of four bases. The only difference being that instead of Thymine RNA uses Uracil. The reason being that since RNA is only half "the ladder" Thymine is too reactive to not be paired. There are three types of RNA: 1. mRNA : messenger RNA 2. tRNA : transfer RNA 3. rRNA : ribosomal RNA ATP is the energy molecule of life. ATP consist of three phosphate molecules that are bonded together, as well as one ribose molecule and 2 adenosine. The last two phosphate molecules have lots of energy stored in their bonds, more than the first one. ATP transports chemical energy within the cell. |
Differences between DNA and RNA
The structure of DNA and the base pairings
The four bases that make up DNA and RNA. In Rna the U switches with T
RNA is half of the double helix
The three types of RNA
Structure of ATP (energy molecule)
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Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is the process that cell undergoes every couple minutes to create the proteins that our body need and that the cell itself needs for survival.
Here are the steps to making a protein :
1. The DNA is in the nucleus
2. RNA makes a copy of a gene to make a specific protein (Process called transcription)
3. mRNA takes this "message" to create the specific protein to a ribosome
4. A ribosome reads the mRNA's message and then makes a an amino acid chain
5. This amino acid chain is taken to the RER
✏The RER modifies the amino acid chain
✏The RER then "blebs" (pinches a portion) a vesicle to transport the amino acid chain (inside the vesicle)
6. Vesicle takes the modified amino acid chain to the Golgi Body
✏The GB modifies the amino acid chain -> It is now a full protein
✏The GB then "blebs" a vesicle that takes the full protein to its final destination inside or outside the cell
Here are the steps to making a protein :
1. The DNA is in the nucleus
2. RNA makes a copy of a gene to make a specific protein (Process called transcription)
3. mRNA takes this "message" to create the specific protein to a ribosome
4. A ribosome reads the mRNA's message and then makes a an amino acid chain
5. This amino acid chain is taken to the RER
✏The RER modifies the amino acid chain
✏The RER then "blebs" (pinches a portion) a vesicle to transport the amino acid chain (inside the vesicle)
6. Vesicle takes the modified amino acid chain to the Golgi Body
✏The GB modifies the amino acid chain -> It is now a full protein
✏The GB then "blebs" a vesicle that takes the full protein to its final destination inside or outside the cell
An Animation of Protein Synthesis
Mitosis and Meosis
Mitosis These are the steps of Mitosis:
The result of Mitosis is 2 genetically identical cells. This process happens for growth and repair of the cell. It occurs in all body cells (except sex cells). Has 4 Steps
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Meiosis These are the steps of Meiosis:
The result of Meiosis is 4 genetically different cells. This process happens to make gametes. It occurs in sex cells only. Has 8 Steps. Each cell has half the amount of chromosomes
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Diffusion and Osmosis
DiffusionDiffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
This shows the diffusion of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentraion
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OsmosisOsmosis is the movement of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
There are 3 states that the cell can be in throughout osmosis. It can be isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic. 
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Compare ✏They both involve the movement of materials from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
✏They both aim to equalize the concentration of two solutions |
Contrast ✏ In osmosis water is moving while in diffusion it is particles
✏ In osmosis the water moves through a semipermeable membrane ✏ Diffusion does not need water for movement while osmosis does |
Eggy Lab
Purpose of lab : To find out what type of beverage is the best fro re-hydrating our cells after a workout.
Conclusion: After a workout I would pick either the water or the 7'Up as my after workout drink because they were the ones to show the best results in hydrating the eggs, making them slightly heavier, and fuller.
