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Biology SL

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: 355 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. 3Organelles, Compartmentalization and Trafficking
    1. 3.1Compartments Concentrate and Isolate
  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. 5Water Potential and Osmotic Systems
    1. 5.1Potential Predicts Net Water Movement
    2. 5.2Walls Transform Entry into Pressure
    3. 5.3Experiments Locate an Isotonic Point
  6. 6Cell Size, Growth and Division Signals
    1. 6.1Area and Volume Scale Differently
  7. 7The Cell Cycle, Mitosis and Cancer
    1. 7.1Interphase Prepares an Accurate Division
    2. 7.2Mitosis Separates Sister Chromatids
  8. 8Meiosis, Variation and Non-disjunction
    1. 8.1Meiosis I Separates Homologues
    2. 8.2Meiosis II Separates Sister Chromatids
    3. 8.3Variation Comes from Several Independent Events
    4. 8.4Non-disjunction Changes Chromosome Number
  9. 9Chapter Synthesis: Boundaries, Scale and Continuity
    1. 9.1Gradients Link Membranes to Work
    2. 9.2Growth Creates a Geometric and Genetic Obligation
    3. 9.3Audit the Claim, Not Just the Vocabulary

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How to Read This Cell Function Chapter