Compartmentalization and linking structure to function
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Question
What does 'compartmentalization' mean in a cell?
Answer
**Dividing the inside of the cell into separate membrane-bound spaces** (compartments) — most are the membrane-bound organelles.
Question
What is a membrane-bound organelle?
Answer
An organelle surrounded by its own membrane (e.g. nucleus, mitochondrion, lysosome), creating a **compartment** separate from the cytoplasm.
Question
Give one advantage of compartmentalization.
Answer
It **separates incompatible reactions** (or: concentrates enzymes/substrates; encloses harmful substances; adds membrane surface; keeps local optimum conditions).
Question
Why does concentrating enzymes and substrates in a compartment help?
Answer
The molecules for a reaction are gathered in a **small space**, so the reaction happens **faster**.
Question
Why is it useful to enclose digestive enzymes in a lysosome?
Answer
The membrane keeps the enzymes **separate**, so they **cannot digest or damage the rest of the cell**.
Question
How can folded internal membranes help a compartment?
Answer
They provide extra **membrane surface area** for membrane-bound reactions (e.g. the folded inner membrane of a mitochondrion).
Question
What general rule links organelle number to a cell's job?
Answer
**More of an organelle = more of its job** — a cell that does a lot of a process has a lot of the organelle that carries it out.
Question
A cell has many mitochondria. What does its job involve?
Answer
A lot of **aerobic respiration** to release **ATP** — so the cell is very **active** (e.g. a muscle cell).
Question
A cell has extensive endoplasmic reticulum. What does its job involve?
Answer
A lot of **making and processing molecules** (proteins, lipids, detoxification) — e.g. a liver cell.
Question
How do you answer a 'Suggest why this cell has lots of organelle X' question?
Answer
**Link structure to function** — state what organelle X does, then say the cell does a **lot** of that process.
Question
Why does naming an organelle alone score no marks?
Answer
The mark is for the **link** between the feature and the cell's function, not for the label itself.
Question
Do prokaryotic cells have internal compartments?
Answer
**No** — they have no membrane-bound organelles, so their reactions share one space (the cytoplasm).
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Topic 2.4 hub
Organelles and compartmentalization
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