A Tour of the CELL

OVERVIEW: The Importance of

Cells
• All organisms are made of cells
• The cell is the simplest collection of matter
that can live
 Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of cells.
• Cells are the smallest working units of all
living things.
• All cells come from pre-existing cells through
cell division.
 Definition of Cell

A cell is the smallest unit that is

capable of performing life functions.
 Concept 1.
Cell
Parts/Organelle
s
 Three Fundamental
Parts
• Cell Membrane
• Protoplasm and its organelles
• Nucleus
Surrounding the
Cell
 Cell Membrane/Plasma
Membrane
• Boundary between the living and non-living world
and segregate metabolic activities within the cell
• Differentially permeable
• Outer membrane of the cell that controls
movement in and out of the cell
• Double layer
Functions as a selective barrier
Allows sufficient passage of nutrients and waste
 Cell Membrane
Three major Functions:
• Separates the contents of the cell from the
external environment
• Regulates the passage of materials into and
out of the cell
• Allows communication with other cells
 Cell Membrane
• Phospholipids
- Most abundant lipids in cell membrane
- Amphipathic molecules: they have two
hydrophobic , tails and a hydrophilic, head
group.
 Cell Wall
• Most commonly found in plant cells &
bacteria
• Protects the cell, maintains its shape, and
prevents exccesive uptake of water
• May have multiple layers
The layers of the Cell Wall
• Primary cell wall
-Thin and flexible wall in
young plant cell
• Secondary cell wall
- often deposited in laminated
layers
- strong and durable that
affords the cell protection and
support.
•Middle lamella
- found between primary
walls of adjacent cells
- a thin layer rich in sticky
PECTINS
- glues the cell together
Inside the
Cell
 Nucleus
• Control center of the cell
• Regulates and coordinates all the activities of
the cell
• Directs protein synthesis by synthesizing RNA.
The RNA is made according to instructions by
the DNA
• Filled with a semifluid medium called
nucleoplasm or karyoplasm
• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear membrane
• Contains genetic material- DNA
 Nuclear Membrane
• Surrounds nucleus
• Made of two layers
• Openings allow material to enter and leave
nucleus
 Chromosomes
• Found in nucleus
• Made of DNA which makes up the so-called
genes which are the bearers of hereditary
traits
• Contain instructions for traits &
characteristics
 Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to build proteins
 Protoplasm
Types:
• Cytoplasm- protoplasm lying outside the
nucleus of the cell
• Nucleoplasm- protoplasm lying inside the
nucleus of the cell

Protoplast-refers to the membrane and the

protoplasm it contains
 Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• Consists of a thick, semi-fluid aggregate of
chemical compounds called cytosol ( the
remaining portion of the cytoplasm, not
including membrane-bound organelles)
Organelles
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Connected to nuclear membrane
• Highway of the cell
• Rough ER: studded with ribosomes; it makes
proteins
• Smooth ER: no ribosomes; it makes lipids
 Functions of Smooth ER
• The smooth ER
- Synthesizes lipids (ex. Phospholipids)
- Stores calcium
- Contains enzymes that detoxify poison
 Functions of Rough ER
• The rough ER
- has bound ribosomes
- Produces proteins and membranes,
which are distributed by transport
vesicles
 Golgi bodies/Apparatus
• “Packing counter of the cell”
• A system of flattened membranous sacs,
called cisternae, that is separate from ER
• Involved in modifying, sorting and packing
macromolecules like proteins for secretion or
for delivery to other organelles
• Molecules transported to and from the Golgi
by means of vesicles.
 Golgi bodies/ Apparatus
• Serves to assemble and process carbohydrate
chains of glycoproteins that are transferred
to it, via transport vesicles, from the ER
• The modified glycoproteins leave the Golgi in
secretory vesicles
 Ribosomes
• Each cell contains thousands
• Protein factories of the cell
• Sites of protein synthesis
• Some are attached to the rough ER, others
are free or suspended in the cytosol
 Lysosomes
• “Suicide bag of the cell”
• Garbage disposal of the cell
• Produced by the Golgi apparatus
• Contain numerous digestive enzymes for the
breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and
fats within the cell
• They play a role in the destruction or repair
of defective parts of the cell
 Lysosomes
• Transports undigested materials to cell
membrane for removal
• Cell breaks down if lysosome explodes
 Mitochondria
• “Powerhouse of the cell”
• Harness energy by breaking food molecules to make
adenosine triphosphate or A main carrier of energy in cell
• Produces energy through chemical reactions---breaking
down fats & carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and other materials in cell
 Large, central Vacuole
• In plant cells, they are very large, occupying
up to 90% of the cell volume. They function
for intracellular digestion, space filling and
control of cell turgor
• Surrounded by a membrane called the
vascular membrane or tonoplast
• Contains a variety of inorganic ions, organic
acids, sugars, enzymes, pigments
• Help plants maintain shape
 Centriole
• Aids in cell division
• Usually found only in animal cells
• They are believed to function in the
formation of the spindle fibers ( the
structures which bring about movement of
chromosomes during cell division)
 Cytoskeleton
• Acts as skeleton and muscle
• Provides shape and structure
• Helps move organelles around cell
• Made of three types of filaments
 Cytoskeleton
• A network of fibrous protein that organizes
structures and activities in the cell

• Plays vital roles in determining the

organization of cytoplasm and cell shape, and
in cell division, growth and differentiation
- Gives mechanical support to the cell
 Plastids
• Double-membrane organelles found in plant
and photosynthetic protists.
• They serve as storage of containers of
pigments and starch molecules

Three types:
 Chloroplasts
 Chromoplasts,and
 Leucoplasts
 Chloroplast
• Found only in plant cells
• Contains the green pigment chlorophyll
• Site of food (glucose) production called
photosynthesis
• Bound by a double membrane
 Plastids
• Chromoplasts – colored plastids other than
green that are specialized to synthesize and
store carotenoid pigments ( red, orange, and
yellow) instead of chlorophyll
• Carotenoid and anthocyanins are mainly
responsible for the nongreen appearance of
flowers,leaves and fruits and root crops such
as carrots and sweet potatoes
 Plastids
• Leucoplasts- colorless plastids
- Many contain stored food. For
instance, those rich in starch are called
amyloplasts
 Microbodies
• Present in plant cells; small organelles about the size
of mitochondria
• Have specialized roles in several metabolic pathways
and are characterized by a particular enzyme or
enzymes
Peroxisomes- contain large amounts of
enzyme catalase which is used to remove
harmful metabolic by products
Glyoxysome- prominent in seeds; contain enzyme
which is used to convert fatty acids to glucose
through a process known as gluconeogenesis.
 Extracellular Matrix
• Contain predominantly of carbohydrate and
protein that are synthesized inside the cell
and transported through the plasma
membrane where they are assembled.
• In plant cells, it is dominated by the cell wall,
which provides rigidity and protection for the
underlying protoplast and responsible for
maintaining cell shape.
 Plasmodesmata
• Cytoplasmic channels that extend through
the wall to connect the protoplasts of
adjacent cells.
 Concept 2.
Prokaryotic &
Eukaryotic
Cells
 Prokaryotic
• Do not contain nucleus
• Have their DNA located in a region called the
NUCLEOID
• Do not have structures surrounded by
membranes
• Few internal structures
• One-celled organisms, eg. Bacteria
 Eukaryotic
• Contain a true nucleus, bounded by a
membranous nuclear envelope
• Are generally quite a bit bigger than
prokaryotic cells
• Contain organelles surounded by membranes