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Biology HL

SLHL

Chapter 6: Cell Function

Explain how membranes control exchange, organelles coordinate cellular work, geometry constrains size, and cell division preserves or reshuffles genetic information.

Estimated chapter time: 647 minutes

IB syllabus: B2.1 · B2.2 · B2.3 · D2.1 · D2.3 · SL and HL

Chapter Topics

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  1. 1How to Read This Cell Function Chapter
    1. 1.1A Cell Is a Controlled System
    2. 1.2Read Diagrams as Dynamic Models
    3. 1.3Use Precise Contrasts
  2. 2Membrane Structure, Fluidity and Adhesion
    1. 2.1Amphipathic Lipids Form a Bilayer
    2. 2.2Proteins Give the Boundary Specific Functions
    3. 2.3Tail Chemistry and Sterols Buffer Fluidity
  3. 3Organelles, Compartmentalization and Trafficking
    1. 3.1Compartments Concentrate and Isolate
    2. 3.2The Endomembrane System Is a Directed Logistics Network
    3. 3.3Energy Organelles Use Membranes to Build Proton Gradients
  4. 4Diffusion, Osmosis and Active Transport
    1. 4.1Random Motion Produces Net Diffusion
    2. 4.2Channels and Carriers Enable Facilitated Diffusion
    3. 4.3Pumps Build Gradients and Vesicles Move Bulk Cargo
  5. 5Neuronal Membranes and Saltatory Conduction
    1. 5.1Unequal Ion Distributions Create a Resting Potential
    2. 5.2Voltage-gated Channels Regenerate the Signal
    3. 5.3Myelin Changes Where Current Can Cross
  6. 6Water Potential and Osmotic Systems
    1. 6.1Potential Predicts Net Water Movement
    2. 6.2Walls Transform Entry into Pressure
    3. 6.3Experiments Locate an Isotonic Point
  7. 7Cell Size, Growth and Division Signals
    1. 7.1Area and Volume Scale Differently
    2. 7.2Cells Modify Shape or Internal Transport
    3. 7.3Growth and Cell-cycle Entry Are Distinct
  8. 8The Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Cancer
    1. 8.1Interphase Prepares an Accurate Division
    2. 8.2Mitosis Separates Sister Chromatids
    3. 8.3Checkpoints Couple Readiness to Cyclin–CDK Activity
  9. 9Meiosis, Variation and Non-disjunction
    1. 9.1Meiosis I Separates Homologues
    2. 9.2Meiosis II Separates Sister Chromatids
    3. 9.3Variation Comes from Several Independent Events
    4. 9.4Non-disjunction Changes Chromosome Number
  10. 10Chapter Synthesis: Boundaries, Scale and Continuity
    1. 10.1Gradients Link Membranes to Work
    2. 10.2Growth Creates a Geometric and Genetic Obligation
    3. 10.3Audit the Claim, Not Just the Vocabulary

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How to Read This Cell Function Chapter