Synthesis, Digestion, and Storage

Eukaryotic cells are larger and much more complex than prokaryotic cells.
While some organelles are found in both, prokaryotes do NOT have a nucleus or any
other membrane-bound organelles. The nucleus contains the genetic material of the
cell in the form of DNA. This DNA is packaged into large structures known as
chromosomes. The genetic code found in the DNA is the instructions for making the
primary product of the cell: proteins. In all cells, the genetic code is copied, and
these copies are sent to the workers as the instructions to make proteins. In
eukaryotic cells, this means that the information must be carried out of the nucleus.
Ribosomes are the workers that read the genetic code and use the
information to synthesize proteins. Ribosomes can be found in the factory of the
cell, and they also float freely through the cytoplasm. Ribosomes are very important
to ALL cells since every cell needs proteins made from its DNA.

This means they are found in BOTH prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In eukaryotic cells,
many ribosomes are found in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The ribosomes are
what make the rough ER look bumpy.
The endoplasmic reticulum is the factory where many molecules are made.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is where proteins are synthesized. Inside of the
smooth endoplasmic reticulum is where new lipids, like fat, are synthesized. The
endoplasmic reticulum also has another important function. Because it is a vast
network of tubes inside the cell, it acts like veins and arteries distributing the new
products to where they belong.
When cells have more glucose than they need, they can use the energy to
synthesize fatty acid molecules which are used to create triglycerides (fats) in a

process called lipogenesis. This places the energy into lipids which store it more
efficiently than glucose.

Sometimes proteins and other products must be sent out from of the ER to
another organelle or to the outside of the cell. When this is the case, they are
packaged inside of small organelles known as vesicles. These vesicles are like
packages of proteins that can be mailed to anywhere in the cell. Vesicles are made
when a small piece of membrane is wrapped around the smaller molecules during a
process known as endocytosis. This creates a membrane-bound bubble that keeps
the contents together as they travel through the cell.
In many cases, vesicles are used to transport proteins from the endoplasmic
reticulum to one of the cells Golgi bodies. It is inside the Golgi that proteins are
modified. This often means that sugars or fats are connected to the protein.
Lysosomes are special vesicles which have been filled with digestive
enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that direct a chemical reaction, and digestive
enzymes are designed to break apart larger molecules into small pieces.
Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles which serve as storage for food
and water. Vacuoles can even store harmful wastes to isolate them from the rest of
the cell.
Even though prokaryotes do NOT have a nucleus or other membrane-bound
organelles, they do have some features common to all cells. This includes the
genetic material and ribosomes needed for protein production.