Cell Biology

Overview
Cell Biology is an event dealing with everything concerning eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. According to the rulebook, questions will include the following material: cell structure, function and classification, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, DNA replication, RNA synthesis, viral structure and function, molecular genetics, DNA sequencing and analysis, DNA fingerprinting, and immunology. The test is given in a series of stations, which may include anything from demonstrations to actual specimens.

Strategy
The most important factor in having success, besides knowing the material, is working well with your partner. Trusting your partner can be the difference when it comes to the rankings. When taking the test, don't get frustrated. Trust your partner, disagreeing on an answer could cause you and your partner to lose valuable time on the test. If you come to a station where neither you nor your partner knows the answer, just move on. Don't get hung up about past stations, it may hurt you when trying to think of the answers to the rest of the test. The main strategy that you and your partner can use is obvious. Learn the material! Study, study, study. Know things like the Krebs Cycle and protein synthesis like the back of your hand. Come up with pneumonic devices to help you remember complicated biology terms. For example, CKSMO (see-kay-smo) can be used to remember the key enzymes in the Krebs Cycle (Citric Acid, Ketogluteric Acid, Succinic Acid, Malic Acid, and Oxalocetic Acid). Learning techniques like this can allow you to spit out the information when needed during the test. One more technique that can be used during the test is to remember or write down questions that you were unable to answer. On most tests, there is usually a rest station or tiebreaker station. Instead of answering the tiebreaker questions, you can go back to the previous questions that you were unable to answer, which are far more important than the tiebreaker questions. Overall, know the material and gain trust and confidence in your partner.

Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells are single celled microorganisms most often containing a cell wall, but lacking membrane-bound organelles found in Eukaryotes. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, plasma membrane, and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic Cells contain:

Cell Membrane: Functions in transport, the movement of substances in and out of the cell, and in energy production (breakdown of large molecules, photosynthesis).

Cell Wall: Gives structural strength (rigidity) to the cell.

Capsule: Jelly-like substance which protects the cell wall from environmental damage.

Nucleoid: Contains a single circular molecule of DNA.

Cytoplasm: Region surrounding the nucleoid and within the cell membrane. Contains ribosomes and RNA (site of protein synthesis).

Vacuole: Site of photosynthesis (storage).

Flagellum: Protein fiber the functions in movement.

Diagram of the typical Prokaryotic Cell:



Eukaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic Cells contain:

Cell Wall: Found in plant cells, provides protection and support. Prevents the cell from bursting when turgid.

Plasma Membrane: Control substances coming in and out of the cell. Selectively permeable. Consists of a phospholipid bilayer and various embedded proteins.

Cilia: Sweeps materials across the cell surface.

Flagellum: Enables a cell to propel and move in different directions (uncommon).

Cytoplasm
Cytosol: The fluid portion of a cell's cytoplasm.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The passageway for transport of materials within the cell, a network of intracellular membranes where secreting proteins are synthesized. Rough ER is the ER and ribosomes, this supplies raw materials for protein synthesis. Smooth ER is the ER without ribsosomes, this functions in the breakdown of fats attached to the rough ER in the Golgi Complex and synthesizes lipids.

Ribosomes: The site of protein synthesis, this is a cytoplasmic particle that contains RNA and proteins.

Golgi Apparatus: The "packing center" of the cell, this is a membraneous organelle that packages and sorts newly synthesized secretory proteins. Also does the final modifications of proteins and lipids.

Mitochondria: Consists of an outer membrane and a convoluted inner membrane, this is the site of aerobic cellular respiration and the site of ATP production.

Lysosomes: The "recycling center" of the cell, this contains enzymes to digest ingested material or damaged tissues.

Peroxisomes: Contains specialized enzymes whose functions involved hydrogen peroxide.

Chloroplasts: Store chlorophyll in a plant cell that is used in the photosynthesis light reaction.

Vacuoles: The storage in a cell, these increase the cell surface area.

Centrioles: Organize the spindle fibers during cell division.

Resources and Study Materials

 * Any AP Biology or College Biology Textbook. Usually it is only the first 7-10 chapters that contain the pertinent information.
 * Your AP Biology teacher. Ask him or her any specific questions that you have or ask them to explain concepts that you don't understand.
 * AP Biology CD. Most AP Biology teachers have an interactive CD that comes with the textbook that they use. Ask them to use it, it helps a lot.
 * Cliff's AP Biology Book. This is probably the most useful book that you can use to refresh yourself on the major points of each subject area.
 * Also, Barron's AP Bio book goes into many of the specifics. (Read this book after you get a basic understanding of the topics in biology.)
 * Old tests. Ask your coach for old tests from previous invitationals. Most invitationals provide you with the test and answers after the competition is over.
 * Your partner. Work with your partner whenever possible. Trusting each other is the key to success.

Links

 * CELLS alive!
 * Harvard Dept of MCB - Biology Links
 * UW Department of Pathology Cytogenetics Image Gallery
 * The Biology Project