Cell Structure and Function

Chapter 3

Basic Characteristics of Cells

Smallest living
subdivision of the human
body
Diverse in structure and
function
Small

Basic Characteristics of Cells

Divided into organelles
Structures and
compartments in the cell
Isolation of chemical
reactions
Each organelle performs a
specific function

Each Cell Has Three Primary

Regions
Plasma Membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus

The Plasma Membrane

Plasma membrane = outer casing of the
cell
separates intracellular environment from the
extracellular environment.

Regulates movement of materials into and

out of cell
a selective mechanical barrier

The Plasma Membrane

Composed of Lipids,
Proteins and
Carbohydrates
Arranged in a lipid
bilayer
Fluid mosaic model

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

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

Types of Membrane Proteins

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:

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

The Cytoplasm

Cytosol
semi-liquid, gel-like
contains various
dissolved materials,
enzymes, etc.
cytoskeleton =
network of protein
fibers throughout
cytosol
structure
movement

Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Ribosomes
Large protein-RNA
complexes
Found free floating in
cytosol or attached to
endoplasmic
reticulum
synthesize proteins
based on RNA codes

Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum (RER)
Coated with ribosomes
Synthesis of proteins for:
Cell membranes
Interior (lumen) of
membrane-bound
organelles
Export out of the cell

Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum (SER)
No ribosomes
Functions
Lipid synthesis
Ca2+ storage
Vesicular release

Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Golgi Apparatus
Stacks of flattened sacs
Functions:
processes ER products
into final form
sort and direct finished
products to final
destinations (intracellular
or extracellular)
vesicles - small membrane
coated chambers used to
transport materials

Cytoplasmic Organelles:
Lysosome
Sac-like organelles
which contain enzymes
Break down large
molecules
cells digestive system

Destroy bacteria, old

organelles, etc.

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

The Nucleus

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

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

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

Chromosomes
46 chromosomes per
human cell
23 different types
pairs of homologous
chromosomes
one of each pair
inherited from each
parent

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

Cell Reproduction
Reproduction of cells (cell division)
requires :
copying of the DNA (chromosomes)
distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells

Two types of cell division

mitosis (most cells)
meiosis (gametes)

Mitosis
Cells duplicate all
their chromosomes
One copy of each of
the 46 chromosomes
is distributed to each
of the daughter cells.

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