Blog Archives

11/30/2018

Blog #7: Animal Cells

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Hi y'all! So, I noticed while I was reading up and watching videos from the Amoeba Sisters (LOVE), Crash Course (LIKE), etc., that I had to go back and reread/re-watch crucial parts of the cell over and over again to really DRILL IT IN. I can't tell you how many times I had to go back and figure out what the hey a lysosome even is! I'll try to make it easier on you guys, because I had to do "Learn" on Quizlet to figure it out... Anyway, let's get going!

Let's start with, my favorite, the eukaryotic cell (has a nucleus)! So, basic outline:
+ A eukaryotic cell has a nucleus that can contain DNA.
+ A eukaryotic cell has membrane-bound organelles.
+ A eukaryotic cell has a cell membrane & cytoskeleton.
Now, let's do an outline for what the hey these words even are!

The cell membrane: I made a whole blog about it, but basic outline, it has a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, and it acts as the gatekeeper to the cell.
The cytoplasm: It is the clear gel that surrounds the whole interior of the cell. It is sort of like the bubble wrap that wraps your whole Amazon order in bubbly "peace-of-mind-ful" comfort.
The cytoskeleton: It's only job is to make sure that the all-important cells don't exit the membrane into the environment around it, eventually causing cellular destruction! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ahem. Yeah, so, without it, we're toast.
The mitochondria: These oblong organelles are the battery pack of the whole thing! If the cell were a city, these mitochondria would be the power lines. The purpose of the mitochondria is to make ATP, the money of the cell. See, Cell City here even has a bank! One mitochondrion is not enough for the whole cell, though. That's why there are typically 3-4 in a cell.
The nucleus: This is where genetic information is made, and it also hides the nucleolus in its depths. It can also control the cell's activities!
The nucleolus: This super little guy makes ribosomes, which make proteins... You'll see.
Ribosomes: These little guys make proteins! That is great because that is what genetic info like DNA codes for! They can either be free in the cell, or they can be stuck to another organelle, which we'll discuss next.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: This roller coaster looking organelle is attached to the nuclear membrane is responsible for a lot of stuff like protein folding and transporting, and can be classified into two different organelles: Rough ER and Smooth ER, which is next.
Rough ER: Remember how I said ribosomes could be connected to an organelle? Well, that organelle is the Rough ER. It's called rough because OF the ribosomes! It specifically focuses on protein producing, like a name brand of proteins!
Smooth ER: This organelle is involved with detoxification, which is why you'll see a lot of the smooth ER in the liver, who's JOB is to detoxify what goes in. It also makes some kinds of lipids (fats)!
Vesicles: This is not typically a PART of the cell permanently, but a vesicle is what wraps around the molecule when its sent out of the ER. Like a cast! Get it? ER... Cast... Never-mind.
Golgi Apparatus: The ULTIMATE packaging center of Cell City here. Vesicles, which pinch off the ER, typically go here. It's got enzymes which can modify the molecules it receives, it determines where the molecules go, because they can't stay in the Golgi Apparatus forever, and if it is going to be SECRETED, it means it can leave the cell for GOOD!!!
Vacuoles: These are like treasure chests or laundry bins and other stuff like that. They can store anything from food, to water!
Lysosomes: These are organelles that roll around picking up and dissolving waste, to make new material to use for new stuff! Its the recycling center!
Chromatin: A whole bunch of information that has DNA and RNA and all that good stuff!

Is your brain still un-exploded? If so, you should have learned about the Chromatin, the Lysosomes, the Vacuoles, the Golgi Apparatus, the Vesicles, the Smooth ER, the Rough ER, the Endoplasmic Reticulum, the Ribosomes, the nucleolus, the nucleus, the mitochondria, the cytoskeleton, and the cytoplasm! Wishing you an un-exploded brain and a good day!

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11/29/2018

Blog #6: The Cell Membrane

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Hi y'all! I wanted to emphasize the importance of, frankly, the cell membrane! Without it, we would literally be slush. Actually, we wouldn't exist! Okay, that's a bit harsh. Well, let's get started.

The amazing cell membrane:

It has a chain of phospholipids that have a hydrophilic (loves water) head, but a hydrophobic (hates water) tail, which causes it to have a stream with the heads out and tails in, which is great, because water is pretty much everywhere!
It has it on both sides, so it makes a sort of bridge-shape to it.
As I said, the tail (in) is hydrophobic, so, in order to get those necessary H2O molecules through, special proteins called aquaporins let the molecules into the cell.
Glucose is necessary for the mitochondria (The mighty powerhouse of the cell) to make adenosine triphosphate (let's just stick with ATP), so it has to let it in somehow. That somehow is called PASSIVE TRANSPORT. It goes into these protein channels that lets it through.
What if the molecule (glucose, H2O, anything) needs to get back through the membrane to grab its forgotten phone or something? Well, first off, molecules don't have phones. Second off, that's what the mighty adenosine triphosphate is for! Sorry, I meant ATP. It can get back through using ACTIVE TRANSPORT! It uses up the $MONEY OF THE CELL, the ATP, to get the job done!

Okay, well, that pretty much covers the basic schematics of the wondrous cell membrane! Enjoy, and leave a comment below!

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11/27/2018

Blog #5: Please do the Survey!!!

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Hi y'all. I have a quick favor I need to ask from you. I am doing a science fair project, and for obvious reasons, I can't state it, but I need to figure out which penguin is the cutest, in,of course, your wonderful, astounding, all important, OPINION!!!!! The choices are the Adelie, the African, the Gentoo, the Emperor, the Chinstrap, the Brushtail, and the Crested penguin! I would appreciate it so very much, and it only takes a minute! Thank you all so much!

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11/7/2018

Blog #4: Helpful Biology Link

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Does anyone else agree that the mid-term exam was hard? Even if you aced it, it was probably difficult, am I right? Even if your teacher has a method that is totally amazing, I have a folder on Quizlet that you can use for studying that I personally think is super helpful. Hopefully this helps!

Here's the link to the folder. If it isn't like a link, just hit Ctrl and C for some computers, on an Apple computer it'll be Command C. Thank you!
https://quizlet.com/mikserpi2/folders/honors-biology-2018-2019

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Blog #7: Animal Cells

Blog #6: The Cell Membrane

Blog #5: Please do the Survey!!!

Blog #4: Helpful Biology Link

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