Table of Contents
What is the barrier that separates a cell from its environment?
The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, is found in all cells and separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment. The cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer that is semipermeable. The cell membrane regulates the transport of materials entering and exiting the cell.
What is any part of a cell that is enclosed by its own membrane called?
Organelle
Organelle A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function, and is usually separately enclosed within its own membrane.
What surrounds the cell?
The plasma membrane (also called the cell membrane) is a thin coat of lipids that surrounds a cell. It forms the physical boundary between the cell and its environment, so you can think of it as the “skin” of the cell.
In what way does the nucleus dictate the structure and function of the cell?
The Nucleus The nucleus is the control center of the cell. The nucleus of living cells contains the genetic material that determines the entire structure and function of that cell. The nucleus sends “commands” to the cell via molecular messengers that translate the information from DNA.
What cell does not need to expend energy in order to perform?
Cards
| Term What is the barrier between a cell and its environment? | Definition plasma membrane |
|---|---|
| Term The cell does not need to expend energy (ATP) in order to perform: | Definition simple diffusions |
| Term What are aquaporins? | Definition integral membrane proteins acting as water channels |
What has its own membrane for housing DNA?
Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus, which means the cell’s DNA is surrounded by a membrane. Therefore, the nucleus houses the cell’s DNA and directs the synthesis of proteins and ribosomes, the cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis.
What activities does the nucleus direct?
The nucleus controls and regulates the activities of the cell (e.g., growth and metabolism) and carries the genes, structures that contain the hereditary information. Nucleoli are small bodies often seen within the nucleus.