Question

(a) Endoplasmic reticulum _______ (b) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum ________ (c) Rough endoplasmic reticulum ______ (d) Golgi complex _______ (e) Transport vesicles ______ (f) Secretory granules _____ (g) Endosome _____ (h) Lysosome ____ (i) Mitochondrion ____ (j) Chloroplast ______ (k) Nucleus _____ (l) Plasma membrane ____ 1\. Location of most of the cell's DNA 2\. Site of fuel oxidation 3\. Separates the inside of the cell from the outside 4\. Carries important biochemicals into the cell 5\. Membrane with ribosomes attached 6\. Site of photosynthesis 7\. Contains digestive enzymes 8\. Destined for fusion with the plasma membrane 9\. Common form of cytoplasmic membrane 10\. Site of carbohydrate addition to proteins 11\. Facilitate communication between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex 12\. Processes exogenous chemicals What is an enzyme?

Short answer

An enzyme is a protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions.

Step-by-step solution

Match Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is divided into two types: Smooth ER and Rough ER. Rough ER has ribosomes attached and matches with statement 5: 'Membrane with ribosomes attached.' Meanwhile, the Smooth ER is involved in processing exogenous chemicals, matching statement 12.

Identify the Golgi Complex

The Golgi complex is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins, including adding carbohydrates to proteins, which corresponds to statement 10: 'Site of carbohydrate addition to proteins.'

Understand Transport Vesicles

Transport vesicles move molecules between locations inside the cell, particularly between the ER and the Golgi, matching them with statement 11: 'Facilitate communication between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex.'

Recognize Secretory Granules

Secretory granules are involved in the process of exocytosis, where they are destined for fusion with the plasma membrane, thus matching with statement 8: 'Destined for fusion with the plasma membrane.'

Identify Endosomes

Endosomes function primarily as transport vesicles that carry important biochemicals into the cell, aligning them with statement 4: 'Carries important biochemicals into the cell.'

Function of Lysosomes

Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes and match statement 7: 'Contains digestive enzymes.'

Role of Mitochondrion

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are sites of fuel oxidation, matching with statement 2: 'Site of fuel oxidation.'

Understand Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and are the site of photosynthesis, thus corresponding with statement 6: 'Site of photosynthesis.'

Locate the Nucleus

The nucleus is the control center of the cell and contains most of the cell's DNA, matching with statement 1: 'Location of most of the cell's DNA.'

Identify the Plasma Membrane

The plasma membrane separates the inside of the cell from the outside environment, matching statement 3: 'Separates the inside of the cell from the outside.'

Key concepts

Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) acts as a major cell structure involved in protein and lipid synthesis. It is a network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell.
The ER has two main types:

• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): The RER has ribosomes on its surface, giving it a 'rough' appearance. This type of ER plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins that are either exported out of the cell or embedded in cellular membranes.
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): Lacking ribosomes, the SER appears 'smooth'. It is involved in the synthesis of lipids and detoxification of harmful metabolic byproducts, as well as from drugs and alcohols.

These functions are essential for maintaining the cell's internal environment.

Golgi Complex

The Golgi complex, sometimes called the Golgi apparatus or Golgi body, is integral in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for delivery to targeted destinations. It acts like the cell's post office, where molecules are tagged with specific signals for their destination.
In the Golgi, carbohydrates are added to proteins and lipids, modifying them into glycoproteins and glycolipids, respectively.
The complex ensures these products reach their correct cellular location, maintaining cell function and viability.

Mitochondrion

Mitochondria, often referred to as the cell's powerhouses, generate most of the cell's supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), used as a source of chemical energy.
These organelles are involved in the process of oxidative phosphorylation, where fuel molecules are oxidized to yield energy.
Their highly folded inner membrane, known as cristae, provides a large surface area for chemical reactions necessary for ATP production.

Chloroplast

Found in plant cells and some algae, chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis. They convert solar energy into chemical energy by producing glucose from water and carbon dioxide.
Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, crucial for absorbing light. The inner structure, comprised of thylakoids arranged in stacks called grana, facilitates the conversion process.
This conversion is vital for plants' energy needs and producing oxygen, which is a byproduct of photosynthesis.

Lysosome

Lysosomes are small organelles filled with enzymes. They are essential for digesting macromolecules, old cell parts, and microorganisms through a process called autophagy.
They function as the waste disposal system of the cell, breaking down unwanted materials.
The enzymes within lysosomes are capable of breaking down proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids into simple compounds, which can then be utilized by the cell or expelled as waste.