INITIAL RESEARCH

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

What is a Prokaryotic Cell?

Prokaryotic cells are not as complex as eukaryotic cells. They have no true nucleus, as the DNA is not contained within a membrane or separated from the rest of the cell, but is coiled up in a region of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid.

Whats Inside
Capsule - Found in some bacterial cells, this additional outer covering protects the cell when it is engulfed by other organisms, assists in retaining moisture, and helps the cell adhere to surfaces and nutrients. Cell Wall - Outer covering of most cells that protects the bacterial cell and gives it shape. Cytoplasm - A gel-like substance composed mainly of water that also contains enzymes, salts, cell components, and various organic molecules. Cell Membrane or Plasma Membrane - Surrounds the cell's cytoplasm and regulates the flow of substances in and out of the cell. Pili - Hair-like structures on the surface of the cell that attach to other bacterial cells. Shorter pili called fimbriae help bacteria attach to surfaces. Flagella - Long, whip-like protrusion that aids in cellular locomotion. Ribosomes - Cell structures responsible for protein production. Plasmids - Gene carrying, circular DNA structures that are not involved in reproduction.

Nucleiod Region - Area of the cytoplasm that contains the single bacterial DNA molecule.

Cycle

Cell division in prokaryotic organisms is significantly simpler than that in eukaryotes. This is because prokaryotes have much less complex DNA, and they do not have to worry about ensuring that each of the new cells receives an approximately equal number of organelles. All cells reproduce by actually dividing down the middle until the cell membrane pinches closed and two new "daughter" cells are formed. In prokaryotes, there is very little else to discuss. Once the DNA of the cell is replicated (using a process which will be discussed in the next chapter), each copy moves toward an opposite side of the cell by attaching to the cell membrane. The cell then elongates until it is approximately double its original size. Finally, the cell membrane on either side pinches inward and forms two new cells.

What is a Eukaryotic Cell?

An organism of the Eukaryote, whose cells (eukaryotic CELLS) have a true nucleus that is bounded by a nuclear membrane, contains the chromosomes, and divides by mitosis. Eukaryotic cells also contain membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, and the Golgi apparatus. Plants and animals, protozoa, fungi, and algae (except blue-green algae) are eukaryotes

Whats Inside
Plasma Membrane - Membrane boundary of cell; regulates cell transport Nucleus - Large structure surrounded by double membrane; species cellular proteins Nucleolus - Granular body within nucleus; site of r-RNA synthesis Endoplasmic reticulum - Network of internal membranes; site of membrane lipid & protein synthesis Golgi Complex - Stacks of flattened membrane sacs; modifies, packages & secretes proteins Lysosomes - Membranous sacs; contains enzymes to digest materials

Vacuoles - Membranous sacs; transport and store water & other materials
Mitochondria - Sacs containing 2 membranes; site of Krebs cycle, electron transport system, chemiosmosis.

Plastids - Sac-like structures with internal thylakoid membranes; photosynthesis

Microbodies - Membranous sacs containing enzymes, diverse reactions

Cycle

In eukaryotes, the cell cycle consists of four discrete phases: G1, S, G2, and M. The S orsynthesis phase is when DNA replication occurs, and the M or mitosis phase is when the cell actually divides. The other two phases G1 and G2, the so-called gap phases are less dramatic but equally important. During G1, the cell conducts a series of checks before entering the S phase. Later, during G2, the cell similarly checks its readiness to proceed to mitosis. Together, the G1, S, and G2 phases make up the period known as interphase. Cells typically spend far more time in interphase than they do in mitosis. Of the four phases, G1 is most variable in terms of duration, although it is often the longest portion of the cell cycle.