Lecture BIOD 5: Eukaryotic Cell Structure &Function

- The cell is the basic unit of life.

- Based on their cellular structures, all living cells can be divided into 2 groups:
prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
- Only bacteria have prokaryotic cell types.
- Animals, plants, fungi, protozoans, and algae all possess eukaryotic cell types.
- Fungi, protozoans, and algae are Eukaryotic microorganisms.
- These microorganisms are very complex and prominent members of the ecosystem.
- Fungi (& some algae) are useful in industrial microbiology.
- Many fungi and protozoa are major human pathogens; e.g. Malaria and African
sleeping sickness.
- Prokaryotic cells are generally much smaller and more simple than eukaryotic.
- Prokaryotic cells are, in fact, able to be structurally more simple because of their
small size.
- In the first part of this section, the focus is on the structure and function of the
eukaryotic cell.
- At the end of the section, prokaryotic and eucaryotic cells will be compared.

 Overview of Eucaryotic Cell Structure:

- The most obvious difference between Pro. & Euc. Is their use of membranes.
- Eucaryotic cells have membrane-delimited nuclei, and have a variety of complex
membranous organelles in the cytoplasmic matrix; (organelles are intracellular
structures that perform specific functions in cells).

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 Cytoplasmic Matrix:
- Large part of it is water (70-85%).
- The environment of the organelles, and
location of important biochemical
processes.
- Cell is not "just a bag in a bubble". Lots of
internal fibers = internal skeleton;
capable of being assembled, broken down in
minutes; involved in cell movement, shape
changes & division.
- Fibers include microfilaments,
microtubules (e..g. form Cilia and Flagella)
and Intermediate filaments.
- Cell Walls also, provide a rigid structure
around cells. Made of cellulose in the case
of plants and fungi.

 Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):

- ER is a maze of parallel membranous tubules and
flattened sacs surrounding the nucleus that connects
with the nuclear membrane and runs throughout the
cytoplasm.
- ER provides a surface area for protein and lipid
synthesis;
- forms a pathway for transporting molecules within
the cell; and
- provides a storage area for molecules the cell has
synthesized.
- There are two distinct regions of the ER: the rough
ER and the smooth ER.
- ER with ribosomes attached is called rough ER
and is involved in protein synthesis, production
of new membrane, modification of newly formed
proteins, and transport of these proteins and
membrane to other locations within the cell.

- ER without ribosomes is called smooth

ER and contains enzymes for lipid
biosynthesis, especially the synthesis of
phospholipids and steroids. The smooth
endoplasmic reticulum forms transition
vesicles to transfer molecules produced in
the rough ER to the Golgi apparatus and
other parts of the cell
Golgi Apparatus:
- The Golgi apparatus (GA) consists of 3-20 flattened and stacked
saclike structures called cisternae. A complex network of tubules
and vesicles is located at the edges of the cisternae.
- GA sorts proteins and lipids received from the ER;
- modifies certain proteins and glycoproteins; and
- sorts and packages these molecules into vesicles for transport to
other parts of the cell or secretion from the cell.

 Lysosomes and Endocytosis:

- Lysosomes, synthesized by the ER and the GA, are membrane-enclosed spheres
typically about 500 nm in diameter that contain powerful digestive enzymes.
- They function to digest materials that enter by endocytosis.
- During endocytosis, the cytoplasmic membrane invaginates and pinches off placing
the ingested material in a vesicle or vacuole called an endosome.
Ribosomes:
- Ribosomes are composed of rRNA and protein and
consist of 2 subunits.
- Subunits have densities of 60S and 40S, but the
complete ribosome (2 subunits joined together during
translation) has a density of 80S.
- The ribosomes are both attached to the ER and free in the cytoplasm.
- They serve as a workbench for protein synthesis, that is, they receive and translate
genetic instructions for the formation of specific proteins or polypeptides.

 Mitochondria:
- Mitochondria are rod-shaped structures ranging from 2 to
8 nm in length.
- Found throughout the cytoplasm; up to 20% of the cell's
volume.
- Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes.
- They have their own DNA and ribosomes
- Frequently called the powerhouses of the cell
- They are the centers for respiratory catabolism, during which oxygen is combined
with chemicals to break down foods, and generate cell energy.
Chloroplasts:
- Chloroplasts are disk-shaped structures ranging from 5 to
10 m in length.
- Like mitochondria, chloroplasts are surrounded by an
inner and an outer membrane.
- Contain stacks of thylakoids, where green pigmented
chlorophyll is embedded in membrane to trap light.
- Use light energy to convert CO2 and water to carbohydrates and O2, that is
Photosynthesis.

 Nucleus:

- is a membrane-delimited spherical body

filled with dense fibrous material called
chromatin.
- DNA is organized as multiple chromosomes
located within a nucleus.
- The nucleus is separated from the
cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane.

- The nuclear membrane has pores that

connect with the ER.
- Nucleolus is the most noticeable structure within the nucleus, where ribosomal
subunits are assembled.
- The nucleus divides by mitosis, a process that ensures each daughter cell receives the
same number of chromosomes as the original parent cell.
- Haploid sex cells are produced from diploid cells by meiosis,
- Meiosis is the nuclear division that occurs as a part of sexual reproduction wherein
the daughter cell receives the haploid number of chromosomes.

 Flagella and Cilia:

- Flagella are long and few in number
whereas cilia are short and numerous.
- Both consist of 9 fused pairs of protein
microtubules with side arms of the motor
molecule dynein that originate from a
centriole.
- These form a ring around an inner central pair of microtubules that arise from a
plate near the cell surface.
- Flagella and cilia function in locomotion. Cilia also function to move various material
that may surround a cell.
Prokaryotic (P)Vs EuKaryotic (E) Cells:
- P: nuclear body is called nucleoid not bound by membrane; E: bound by membrane
called nucleus.
- P: one circular chromosome composed of DNA +histone-like proteins; E: 1 or more
paired linear chromosomes composed of DNA + histone proteins.
- P: no nucleolus; E: nucleolus present.
- P: divide by binary fission; E: divide by mitosis (diploid) & sex cells produced by
meiosis.

- P: cytoplasmic membrane (CM) is a fluid phospholipid bilayer without carbohydrates,

contains sterol-like molecules called hopanoids, incapable of endocytosis & exocytosis.
- E: CM is a fluid phosphate bilayer, containing sterols & carbohydrates, capable of
endocytosis & exocytosis.
- P: Ribosomes 50S & 30S; E: Ribosomes 60S & 40S
- P: Mitochondria, ER, GA, Vacuoles, Lysosomes, chloroplasts are absent. No
cytoskeleton.
- P: cell walls composed of peptidoglycan; E: CW composed of cellulose or Chitin.
- P: no cilia, flagella is composed of single rotating fibril; E: flagella & cilia involved in
locomotion, consist of a distinct arrangement of sliding microtubules.
Representative organisms:
- P: Bacteria (Eubacteria & Archaebacteria)
- E: Algae, Protozoans, and Fungi. And of course Animals and Plants.