Basic Characteristics of Cells

Cell Structure and Function Smallest living

subdivision of the human
body
Chapter 3 Diverse in structure and
function
Small

Basic Characteristics of Cells Each Cell Has Three Primary

Regions

Divided into organelles Plasma Membrane

Structures and
compartments in the cell Cytoplasm
Isolation of chemical Nucleus
reactions
Each organelle performs a
specific function

The Plasma Membrane

The Plasma Membrane
Plasma membrane = outer casing of the Composed of Lipids,
cell Proteins and
separates intracellular environment from the Carbohydrates
extracellular environment. Arranged in a lipid
bilayer
Fluid mosaic model
Regulates movement of materials into and
out of cell
a selective mechanical barrier

1
 Cell Membrane Components:
Phospholipids
one end is hydrophilic
other end is
hydrophobic
tend to aggregate in a
lipid bilayer
hydrophilic ends face
outward, hydrophobic
ends in the middle
Cell Membrane Components:
Proteins
Suspended in lipid
bilayer
May span layer or
attached only to one
surface
Different functions

Types of Membrane Proteins Types of Membrane Proteins

Structural Proteins
Maintain membrane shape
and integrity, movement
Channel Proteins
Pore-like proteins
Enable small ions to pass
Carrier proteins
Shuttle specific substances
across membrane
Enzymes
Catalyze specific
reactions
Receptor proteins
Bind cellular signals
Signaling proteins /
Recognition proteins
Enable cells to identify
and interact with each
other

Cell Membrane Components: The Cytoplasm

Carbohydrates
Branched polymers
attached to
extracellular surface
Forms sugar coating
(glycocalyx) of cells
Functions
Lubricated surface
Protect underlying
proteins
Cell recognition

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 Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Cytosol
Ribosomes
semi-liquid, gel-like
contains various Large protein-RNA
dissolved materials, complexes
enzymes, etc. Found free floating in
cytoskeleton = cytosol or attached to
network of protein endoplasmic
fibers throughout reticulum
cytosol synthesize proteins
structure based on RNA codes
movement

Cytoplasmic Organelles: Cytoplasmic Organelles:

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Rough Endoplasmic Smooth Endoplasmic

Reticulum (RER) Reticulum (SER)
Coated with ribosomes No ribosomes
Synthesis of proteins for:
Functions
Cell membranes
Interior (lumen) of Lipid synthesis
membrane-bound Ca2+ storage
organelles
Export out of the cell Vesicular release

Cytoplasmic Organelles: Cytoplasmic Organelles:

Golgi Apparatus Lysosome
Stacks of flattened sacs
Functions: Sac-like organelles
processes ER products into
final form which contain enzymes
sort and direct finished
products to final
Break down large
destinations (intracellular or molecules
extracellular)
vesicles - small membrane
cells digestive system
coated chambers used to
transport materials
Destroy bacteria, old
organelles, etc.

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 Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Mitochondria
Surrounded by two
membranes
Possess own DNA
Power generators of the
cell
Convert food energy (e.g.,
glucose) to usable form
ATP
high energy compound.
major source of metabolic
energy for the cell
DNA Structure
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Polymer of nucleotides
base + sugar + phosphate
Four different bases
adenine (A), guanine (G),
cytosine (C), thymine (T)
alternate in order
Four-letter alphabet
Double helix
Two strands linked
together by hydrogen
bonds
Complementary sequences
Chromosomes
46 chromosomes per
human cell
23 different types
pairs of homologous
chromosomes
one of each pair
inherited from each
parent
The Nucleus
Cell's "control center"
Largest organelle
Surrounded by
nuclear envelope
Contains DNA
genetic information in form
of nucleic acid polymers
instructs synthesis of
proteins
Genes and Chromosomes
Genes
sequences of DNA
containing information
needed to make proteins
with the proper amino acid
sequence
DNA is wrapped around
proteins to form
chromosomes
DNA function
Information in DNA used to
make proteins
1. Transcription:
sequence of DNA copied into
an RNA (ribonucleic acid)
molecule
2. Translation
RNA sequence read by
ribosomes to generate a
protein with a specific amino
acid sequence
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 Cell Reproduction
Mitosis
Reproduction of cells (cell division)
requires : Cells duplicate all
copying of the DNA (chromosomes) their chromosomes
distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells
One copy of each of
Two types of cell division the 46 chromosomes
is distributed to each
mitosis (most cells)
of the daughter cells.
meiosis (gametes)

Meiosis
Occurs only in gametes
Cells duplicate all
chromosomes
Cells undergo two separate
divisions
each daughter cell has 23 total
chromosomes
Gametes combine to form a
new cell (zygote) with 46
chromosomes