BIOL 1410 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 QUESTION SET WITH ANSWERS
◉ Cell Membrane.
Answer: Also referred to as Plasma membrane or Plasmalemma, it is
composed of a phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, membrane
proteins, membrane carbohydrates, and microvilli.
◉ Phospholipid Bilayer.
Answer: -Contains a phosphate head group (hydrophilic)
-Contains FA tails (hydrophobic)
-Divides ICF (intracellular fluid/ inside the cell) from ECF
(extracellular fluid/ outside the cell)
◉ Cholesterol.
Answer: Scattered throughout the membrane, it adds stability to the
plasmalemma.
◉ Membrane Proteins.
Answer: 2 Types:
i) Integral Proteins - Within the membrane, therefore have a
hydrophobic region. Some extend across the plasma (called
transmembrane proteins).
,ii) Peripheral Proteins - Attached to either surface region of integral
proteins.
Functions:
-Enzymes
-Transporters
-Channels
-Receptors
-Anchors
-Identity markers (for immune system)
◉ Membrane Carbohydrates.
Answer: Only on the outer surface, they bind to proteins
(glycoproteins) or lipids (glycolipids).
Functions:
i) Cell recognition Ex. Egg and sperm
ii) Anchor cells together
◉ Microvilli.
Answer: Small projections of the cell membrane that functions to
increase surface area. Best seen on cells of small intestine and
kidney.
,◉ Fluid-Mosaic Model.
Answer: Fluid--> Constituents can move around (phospholipids and
some proteins).
Mosaic--> Proteins dot the surface like tiles in a mosaic.
◉ Cytoplasm.
Answer: The area inside the cell membrane and outside of the
nucleus.
◉ Cytosol.
Answer: -A division of cytoplasm described as gel-like intracellular
fluid
-Contains water and a suspension of carbohydrates, proteins, and
lipids
-May contain inclusions
-Ex. Melanin (pigment), glycogen (stored glucose)
◉ Organelles.
Answer: -A division of cytoplasm, organelles are structures that
perform a specific function and are essential for life.
-May be:
•Non-membranous--indirect contact with cytosol, or
, •Membranous--surrounded by membrane that isolates them from
the cytosol
◉ Ribosomes.
Answer: A non-membranous organelle that contain ribosomal RNA
and proteins. Ribosomes are sites for protein synthesis and may be:
i) Free in cytosol--make proteins destined for cytosol, mitochondria,
nucleus
ii) Attached to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)--makes proteins
destined for all other sites
◉ Centrosomes.
Answer: -Dense area of cytoplasm which usually contains 2
centrioles (function uncertain; some cells lack them)
-Organizes microtubules to form spindle apparatus (for cell division)
-Organizes cytoskeleton
◉ Cytoskeleton.
Answer: -Determines cell shape (cell support)
-Formed from proteins
-Important in cell movement, cell division, movement/ anchoring of
organelles and proteins (Ex. Receptors, enzymes)
-3 components: microfilaments, intermediate filaments and
microtubules
2026 QUESTION SET WITH ANSWERS
◉ Cell Membrane.
Answer: Also referred to as Plasma membrane or Plasmalemma, it is
composed of a phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, membrane
proteins, membrane carbohydrates, and microvilli.
◉ Phospholipid Bilayer.
Answer: -Contains a phosphate head group (hydrophilic)
-Contains FA tails (hydrophobic)
-Divides ICF (intracellular fluid/ inside the cell) from ECF
(extracellular fluid/ outside the cell)
◉ Cholesterol.
Answer: Scattered throughout the membrane, it adds stability to the
plasmalemma.
◉ Membrane Proteins.
Answer: 2 Types:
i) Integral Proteins - Within the membrane, therefore have a
hydrophobic region. Some extend across the plasma (called
transmembrane proteins).
,ii) Peripheral Proteins - Attached to either surface region of integral
proteins.
Functions:
-Enzymes
-Transporters
-Channels
-Receptors
-Anchors
-Identity markers (for immune system)
◉ Membrane Carbohydrates.
Answer: Only on the outer surface, they bind to proteins
(glycoproteins) or lipids (glycolipids).
Functions:
i) Cell recognition Ex. Egg and sperm
ii) Anchor cells together
◉ Microvilli.
Answer: Small projections of the cell membrane that functions to
increase surface area. Best seen on cells of small intestine and
kidney.
,◉ Fluid-Mosaic Model.
Answer: Fluid--> Constituents can move around (phospholipids and
some proteins).
Mosaic--> Proteins dot the surface like tiles in a mosaic.
◉ Cytoplasm.
Answer: The area inside the cell membrane and outside of the
nucleus.
◉ Cytosol.
Answer: -A division of cytoplasm described as gel-like intracellular
fluid
-Contains water and a suspension of carbohydrates, proteins, and
lipids
-May contain inclusions
-Ex. Melanin (pigment), glycogen (stored glucose)
◉ Organelles.
Answer: -A division of cytoplasm, organelles are structures that
perform a specific function and are essential for life.
-May be:
•Non-membranous--indirect contact with cytosol, or
, •Membranous--surrounded by membrane that isolates them from
the cytosol
◉ Ribosomes.
Answer: A non-membranous organelle that contain ribosomal RNA
and proteins. Ribosomes are sites for protein synthesis and may be:
i) Free in cytosol--make proteins destined for cytosol, mitochondria,
nucleus
ii) Attached to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)--makes proteins
destined for all other sites
◉ Centrosomes.
Answer: -Dense area of cytoplasm which usually contains 2
centrioles (function uncertain; some cells lack them)
-Organizes microtubules to form spindle apparatus (for cell division)
-Organizes cytoskeleton
◉ Cytoskeleton.
Answer: -Determines cell shape (cell support)
-Formed from proteins
-Important in cell movement, cell division, movement/ anchoring of
organelles and proteins (Ex. Receptors, enzymes)
-3 components: microfilaments, intermediate filaments and
microtubules
