The Cellular Basis of Life

Introduction to Cell Biology

Chemical in the cells
Major Elements
Carbon (C)
Oxygen (O)
Hydrogen (H)
Nitrogen (N)

Biology is the search for chemistry that works.

 Trace Elements
Calcium (Ca)- blood
clotting
Iron (Fe)- hemoglobin
Iodine (I)- controls
metabolism
Electrolytes- carry an
electrical charge

http://www.ehu.es/biomoleculas/PROT/hemoglobin.jpg
 Iodine Deficiency

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/178_01_060103/li10764_fm-4.jpg
http://carondelet.net/PeriodicTable/I/iodized%20salt.jpg
 Water in the Cell
Cells are 60% water
Interstitial fluid
Dilute, saltwater around cells
Site of all exchanges between cells and blood
 Variations in Cells- Length
Over 1 meter
2 micrometers

http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/schools/shs/jmcCartney/redcell.jpg

http://www.acticare.com/conditions/images/sciatic_nerve2.jpg
 Variations in Cells- Shape
Red Blood Cells- disk
shaped
Nerve Cells- spindle
shaped
Smooth Muscle Cells-
Threadlike
Epithelial Cells-
Cubes

http://www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season3/brain/Images/neuronlabels.gif
 Variations in Cells- Function

Over 200 cell types found in the body

 The Generalized Cell
Demonstrates the basic
parts that all cells
contain
Has three parts
Nucleus
Plasma Membrane
Cytoplasm

http://www.cse.ucsc.edu/~sugnet/documentation/biology_starter/images/animal_cell_580_915.jpg
 The Nucleus
Nuclear Envelope
The membrane of the
Nucleus
Nucleoli
Where ribosomes are
assembled
Round, dark staining
bodies
Chromatin
DNA combined with
protein
When the cell divides the
DNA condenses into
chromosomes
 Plasma Membrane
Fragile, transparent barrier that contains the cell
contents and separates them from the surrounding
environment
Lipid Bilayer
Proteins
Glycoproteins
 Lipid Bilayer
Phospholipid
Cholesterol

http://www.biology.arizona.edu/chh/problem_sets/kidneysmetals/graphics/bilayer.gif
 Proteins
scatter the surface of the plasma membrane
Receptors for hormones
Transport Proteins

http://www.science.org.au/nobel/1996/images/picture-0.jpg http://www.nirgal.net/graphics/coli_protein.jpg
 Glycoproteins
Blood type
Cell-cell
communication

http://www.funhousefilms.com/glycolip.jpg
 Specializations
Microvilli
finger-like projections to
increase cells surface area
 Specializations
Tight Junctions
impermeable junctions that bind
cells together into leak-proof
sheets
Desmosomes
Anchoring junctions that prevent
cells subjected to mechanical
stress from falling apart
Gap Junctions
Allow communication
Connexons- hollow cylinders
composed of proteins that span
the entire width of the abutting
membrane
 Cytoplasm
Cellular material outside the nucleus and inside
the plama membrane
Site of most cellular activities (factory)
Three Elements
Cytosol- semitransparent fluid
Organelles- parts that have specific functions
Inclusions- non-functioning units
Cytoplasmic Organelles
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Mitochondria
Enzymes break down
food and capture the
energy in ATP
molecules
Liver and muscle
cells have hundreds
of mitochondria

http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/staff/dave/roanoke/mitochon.gif
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Ribosomes
Made of proteins and rRNA
Site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic Reticulum
System of fluid-filled
cisterns that coil and twist
through the cytoplasm
Rough ER- studded with
ribosomes
Smooth ER- cholesterol
synthesis and breakdown, fat
metabolism, and
detoxification http://dragon.seowon.ac.kr/~bioedu/bio/ohp/t-021.jpg
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Golgi Apparatus
stack of flattened sacs
Modifies and packages proteins
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Lysosomes
Sacs of powerful
digestive enzymes
Digests wornout cell
structures and most
foreign substances

http://www.cs.utexas.edu/~s2s/latest/cell1/src/tutorial/lysosome.html
Peroxisomes
Sacs that contain
powerful oxidase
enzymes
Detoxify poisonous
substances and
disarm free radicals
Cytoplasmic Organelles
Cytoskeleton
Provides cells framework
and cells shape
Microfilaments- cell
motility and makes changes
in cell shape
Intermediate Filaments-
form desmosomes and
resists pulling forces
Microtubule- overall shape
of a cell and important in
cell shape
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Centrioles
Rod-shaped bodies that are at right angles
Other Cell Structures
Cilia- whiplike cellular extensions that move substances
along the cell surface
Flagella- Longer projection that moves the cell
 Cell Diversity
Trillions of cells in the body, 200 different cell types
Cells that connect body parts
Fibroblast- secretes cable-like fibers
Erythrocyte (red blood cell)- carries oxygen in the
blood stream
Cells that cover and line body
organs
Epithelial cell- pack together into sheets
Cells that move organs and body
parts
Skeletal and Smooth Muscle cells- contract in order
to move bones or internal organs
 Cell that stores nutrients
Fat cell- stores a lipid droplet
 Cell that fights disease
Macrophage- digest infectious microorganisms
Cell that gathers information and
controls body functions
Nerve cell (neuron)- send electrical signals
 Cells of reproduction
Oocyte- female egg cell
Sperm- male cell with flagellum