Plasma Membrane

General features :

The plasma membrane (cell membrane) is made of two layers of phospholipids.

The plasma membrane has many proteins embedded in it.

The plasma membrane regulates the entry and exit of the cell. Many molecules cross the cell
membrane by diffusion and osmosis.

The fundamental structure of the membrane is phospho lipid bilayer and it forms a stable barrier
between two aqueous compartments.

The proteins present in the plasma membrane, act as pumps, channels, receptors, enzymes or
structural components.

It is the boundary, which separates the living cell from their non-living surroundings.

It is the phospholipids bilayer.

Plasma membrane is an amphipathic, which contains both hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

It is a fluid mosaic of lipids, proteins and carbohydrate.

It is lipid bilayer, which contains -two layers of phospholipids, phosphate head is polar (water loving),
fatty acid tails non-polar (water fearing) and the proteins embedded in membrane.

Function :

It separates the contents of the cell from its outside environment and it regulates what enters and
exits the cell.

Plasma membrane plays a vital role in protecting the integrity of the interior of the cell by allowing
only selected substances into the cell and keeping other substances out.

It also serves as a base of attachment for the cytoskeleton in some organisms and the cell wall in
others. Thus the cell membrane supports the cell and helps in maintaining the shape of the cell.

The cell membrane is primarily composed of proteins and lipids. While lipids help to give membranes
their flexibility and proteins monitor and maintain the cell's chemical climate and assist in the
transfer of molecules across the membrane.

The lipid bilayer is semi-permeable, which allows only selected molecules to diffuse across the
membrane.

Location : can be found surrounding the cell

CYTOPLASM

General Features :

Cytoplasm is the fluid substance that fills the space between the cell membrane and the cellular
organelles.

Cytoplasm shows differential staining properties, the areas stained with the basic dyes are the
basophilic areas of the cytoplasm and is termed as ergatoplasm for this material.

It is heterogenous mixture of opaque granules and organic compounds which gives it its colloidal
nature.

The peripheral zone of cytoplasm is thick and jelly-like substance, known as the plasmogel. The
surrounding area of the nuclear zone is thin and liquefied in nature and is known as the plasmosol.

The physical nature of cytoplasm is colloidal. It has a high percentage of water and particles of
various shapes and sizes are suspended in it.

It also contains proteins, of which 20-25 percent are soluble proteins including enzymes.

Also, certain amount of carbohydrates, inorganic salts, lipids and lipoidal substances are found.

The plasmogel part of the cytoplasm is capable of absorbing water and removing it, according to the
cells need.

The stomatal guard cell present in the leaves exhibit this property.

An organized system of fibrers can be observed by specific staining techniques.

Chemically cytoplasm contains 90% water and 10% include a mixture of organic and inorganic
compounds in various proportions.

Function :

Cytoplasm is the site of many biochemical reactions that are vital and crucial for maintaining life.

The cytoplasm is the place where the cell expands and growth of the cell takes place.

The cytoplasm provides a medium for the organelles to remain suspended.

The cytoskeleton of the cytoplasm provides shape to the cell and it also facilitates movement.

It also aids in the movement of the different cellular elements.

The enzymes in the cytoplasm metabolize the macromolecules into small parts, so that it can be
easily available for the other cellular organelles like mitochondria.

The cytoplasm is a means of transport for genetic material.

It also transports the products of cellular respiration.

The cytoplasm acts as a buffer and protects the genetic material of the cell and also the cellular
organelles from damage caused due to movement and collision with other cells.

The cytoplasmic organelles are specialized structures that haves its own functions like cellular
respiration, protein synthesis,etc.
The cytoplasmic inclusions are non-soluble molecules, they are seen floating in the cytoplasm, they
act as stored fats and sugars that are ready for celllular respiration.

The cytoplasm and the proteins prevent the grouping of organelles in place due to gravity, that
would impede their function.

Location : he cytoplasm is located within a cell's membrane

CHLOROPLAST

General Features :

The chloroplast are double membrane bound organelles and are the site of photosynthesis The
chloroplasts have a system of three membranes: the outer membrane, the inner membrane and the
thylakoid system. The outer and the inner membrane of the chloroplast enclose a semi-gel-like fluid
known as the stroma. This stroma makes up much of the volume of the chloroplast, the thylakoids
system floats in the stroma.

function :

In plants all the cells participate in plant immune response as they lack specialized immune cells. The
chloroplasts with the nucleus and cell membrane and ER are the key organelles of pathogen
defense.

The most important function of chloroplast is to make food by the process of photosynthesis. Food is
prepared in the form of sugars. During the process of photosynthesis sugar and oxygen are made
using light energy, water, and carbon dioxide.

Light reactions takes place on the membranes of the thylakoids.

Chloroplasts, like the mitochondria use the potential energy of the H+ ions or the hydrogen ion
gradient to generate energy in the form of ATP.

The dark reactions also known as the Calvin cycle takes place in the stroma of chloroplast.

Production of NADPH2 molecules and oxygen as a result of photolysis of water.

BY the utilization of assimilatory powers the 6-carbon atom is broken into two molecules of
phosphoglyceric acid.

Location : can only be found in plant cell not animal cell

CELL WALL

General Features :

Cell wall is a tough, rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells. Cell wall is a characteristic feature
to cells of plants, bacteria, fungi, algae and some archaea. It is located outside the cell membrane.

Function :

Gives the cell a definite shape and structure.

Provides structural support.

Protection against infection and mechanical stress.

Separates interior of the cell from the outer environment.

It enables transport of substances and information from the cell insides to the exterior and vice
versa.

Also helps in osmotic-regulation.

Prevents water loss.

The physiological and biochemical activity of the cell wall helps in cell-cell communication.

It prevents the cell from rupturing due to tugor pressure.

Aids in diffusion of gases in and out of the cell.

Also provides mechanical protection from insects and pathogens.

Location : located at outside of the plasma membrane