Chapter 5: Mitosis
Mitosis refers to a kind of eukaryotic division of the cell. The cell division process gives rise to two daughter cells, which are the same in genetic composition as the parent cell. The daughter cells are also the same genetically. 2N chromosomes and 2X DNA is the content at the beginning of the process in the diploid cell. The replicated cell is also diploid genetically. However, there is 4X DNA content because the DNA in each chromosome has been replicated. Mitosis mostly fails during the metaphase stage, during the aligning of the chromosomes. The result could be one cell having no copy of the chromosome, while the other one has two (Bell and Dutta 334). The problem can result in uncontrolled growth of the cell. This is the basis for the development of cancerous cells.
Chapter 25 DNA replication
Every cell has the DNA, which is the genetic material defining it. Before the duplication of the cell and the division into two new daughter cells, there is usually a process that involves copying of the organelles and biomolecules. This is necessary for distribution into the new cells. Hence, DNA replication takes place during cell division. It is a process through which the DNA is able to produce its own copy. DNA replication is necessary to ensure that each new cell has the right number of chromosomes (Bell and Dutta 334). A number of steps are involved as a function of replication enzymes and RNA. The process is critical for growth and repair of cells as well as for the organisms to reproduce. Failure in DNA replication mostly leads to one or more of the single gene disorders. One such disorder is the sickle cell anemia.
Chapter 7/8 Compare/Contrast
The two processes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration, are complementary. The two are similar reactions, but they take place in a reverse process. Photosynthesis takes place in a number of bacteria and in cells that have chloroplasts. In photosynthesis, glucose and oxygen are produced from the synthesis of carbon dioxide and water (Brown and Schwartz 792). Cellular respiration produces carbon dioxide and water from glucose and oxygen.
Mitochondrion is the cellular powerhouse. It plays the role of a digestive system, ingesting nutrients, breaking them down, and creating molecules that have adequate energy (Chan 1242). The organ is a miniature one that floats all through the cell. They are the working organs of the cell that guarantees them adequate energy supply.
Chapter 6: The Role of Mitochondria
The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell. This means that it plays an important role in supplying the cell with adequate energy through cellular respiration. Also, the survival of the cell depends on the energy supplied by the mitochondrion. Hence, without this organ, the cell would end up dead (Chan 1242). Lack of the mitochondria would also mean inadequacy in the mechanism for controlling calcium concentration in the cell.
Enzymes are catalysts that have an effect on chemical reactions. However, the enzymes are not affected or changed in the process. Enzymes are the catalysts through which the mitochondrion is able to generate energy in the cell from glucose and oxygen. There are many enzyme-catalyzed steps through which a compound is broken down to generate a particular product (such as energy) (Chan 1242). Through the catalytic role of the enzymes, electronics are transferred from a molecule to the next.
Chapter ¾: Organelles
Organelles are minute cellular structures that have particular functions within the cell. Nucleus is one of the organelles in both animal and plant cells. The nucleus is bound by the membrane and has hereditary information of the cell (DNA) (Lamond and Spector 606). It has the function of controlling the growth and reproduction of the cell. It is believed to have the major role within the cell, making it dominant among other organelles. Hence, the organelle will continue to play a major role in the discussion of the cellular functions in the future chapters.
Plasma Membrane
Passive transport is the simplest type of transport across the cell membrane. It does not involve use of any energy by the cell. It entails the diffusing of a substance down its concentration gradient, to an area of low from an area of higher concentration (McLaughlin and Murray 605). The movement of substances across the cell membrane will play an important role in the future discussions.
Chapter 2: Proteins, Lipids, and Carbs
Proteins are the most critical cellular molecules, functioning in almost all cellular functions. Different groups have different functions. One class of functions of the proteins is structural support. There are those which are involved in protection, the antibodies. Lipids are the main source of energy for the body. This is because they are the main source of calories. There is a class of lipids that are used as building blocks in constructing the biological membranes. Carbohydrates are another important class of biological essential. One class of the functions is for the production and storage of energy. They also have a protein saving function within the cell (Miron et al. 1707).
Works Cited
Chan, David C. “Mitochondria: dynamic organelles in disease, aging, and development.” Cell 125.7 (2006): 1241-1252.
Bell, Stephen P., and Anindya Dutta. “DNA replication in eukaryotic cells.” Annual review of biochemistry 71.1 (2002): 333-374.
Brown, Mary H., and Reneè S. Schwartz. “Connecting photosynthesis and cellular respiration: Preservice teachers’ conceptions.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching 46.7 (2009): 791-812.
Lamond, Angus I., and David L. Spector. “Nuclear speckles: a model for nuclear organelles.” Nature reviews Molecular cell biology 4.8 (2003): 605-612.
McLaughlin, Stuart, and Diana Murray. “Plasma membrane phosphoinositide organization by protein electrostatics.” Nature 438.7068 (2005): 605.
Miron, Yehuda, et al. “The role of sludge retention time in the hydrolysis and acidification of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins during digestion of primary sludge in CSTR systems.” Water research 34.5 (2000): 1705-1713.