Macromolecules of Life
Cell Structures/Functions
· Cytoplasm: holds all of the organelles in place
· Ribosomes: complexes that make proteins; free in cytoplasm or bound to rough ER or nuclear envelope; where protein synthesis takes place
· Nucleus: controls the cells activity, contains all the genetic material of the cell
· Endoplasmic Reticulum: network of membranes, sacs and tubes; active in membrane synthesis and other metabolic processes; has rough (ribosome studded) and smooth areas; serves as cells transport system
· Golgi Apparatus: organelle active in synthesis; modification, sorting and secretion of cell products; where proteins can be stored and transported
· Lysosomes: digestive system for lipids proteins and carbohydrates, and transports undigested material to be removed
· Cell Membrane: reinforces the cell's shape and functions in cell movement; holds all the structures inside, and protects the cell
· Mitochondria: “powerhouses” of the cell; they make energy (ATP) for the cell
· Centrioles: involved in cell division; used in Mitosis and Meiosis for separating the chromatids
· Vacuoles: aids in storage, digestion, and waste removal
· Ribosomes: complexes that make proteins; free in cytoplasm or bound to rough ER or nuclear envelope; where protein synthesis takes place
· Nucleus: controls the cells activity, contains all the genetic material of the cell
· Endoplasmic Reticulum: network of membranes, sacs and tubes; active in membrane synthesis and other metabolic processes; has rough (ribosome studded) and smooth areas; serves as cells transport system
· Golgi Apparatus: organelle active in synthesis; modification, sorting and secretion of cell products; where proteins can be stored and transported
· Lysosomes: digestive system for lipids proteins and carbohydrates, and transports undigested material to be removed
· Cell Membrane: reinforces the cell's shape and functions in cell movement; holds all the structures inside, and protects the cell
· Mitochondria: “powerhouses” of the cell; they make energy (ATP) for the cell
· Centrioles: involved in cell division; used in Mitosis and Meiosis for separating the chromatids
· Vacuoles: aids in storage, digestion, and waste removal
Cell Structure/Function Video:
Video from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GQyciJaTA
Genes to Proteins
Genes that are made in the nucleus produce proteins. These proteins are then transported through the ribosomes in the Endoplasmic Reticulum where they are synthesized. Next, these proteins go through the Golgi Apparatus where they are tagged to do specific jobs in throughout the cell where they are then sent out.
Test Your Knowledge:
1. A genetic mutation in a gene that influences ribosome function would cause a person to have which of the following problems?
a. Cancer
b. Vomiting
c. Reduced protein production
d. Fatigue
e. Memory loss
2. Cystic fibrosis is a disease cause by a faulty ion channel protein. To find a cure for this disease, why would geneticists be looking at a person’s
genes if the real problem is a protein?
a. genes and proteins are the same thing, so it doesn’t matter which one you look at
b. genes hold the instructions for making protein, so genes are the cause of the protein problem.
c. genes fold up to become proteins, so looking at the genes is essential so figure out how the CF protein folds incorrectly
d. cystic fibrosis is a very complex disease involving the ion channel protein, as well as unrelated genes.
3. The genes my muscle cells contain are different than the genes my nerve cells contain.
a. True. Muscle cells and nerve cells need different genes to do different functions.
b. True. All cells in the body contain slightly different genes as a result of meiosis.
c. False. They both have the same genes, but muscle cells make different proteins than nerve cells do.
d. False. Nerve cells don’t even have a nucleus.
a. Cancer
b. Vomiting
c. Reduced protein production
d. Fatigue
e. Memory loss
2. Cystic fibrosis is a disease cause by a faulty ion channel protein. To find a cure for this disease, why would geneticists be looking at a person’s
genes if the real problem is a protein?
a. genes and proteins are the same thing, so it doesn’t matter which one you look at
b. genes hold the instructions for making protein, so genes are the cause of the protein problem.
c. genes fold up to become proteins, so looking at the genes is essential so figure out how the CF protein folds incorrectly
d. cystic fibrosis is a very complex disease involving the ion channel protein, as well as unrelated genes.
3. The genes my muscle cells contain are different than the genes my nerve cells contain.
a. True. Muscle cells and nerve cells need different genes to do different functions.
b. True. All cells in the body contain slightly different genes as a result of meiosis.
c. False. They both have the same genes, but muscle cells make different proteins than nerve cells do.
d. False. Nerve cells don’t even have a nucleus.