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Cell Structure & Function

Cellular Level of Organization

Detailed study of the cell began in the 1830s; some of the scientists contributing to
the understanding of cell structure and function were Robert Brown, Matthais
Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolph Virchow.

The cell theory states that all organisms are composed of cells, that cells are the
structural and functional unit of organisms, and that cells come only from
preexisting cells.

Prokaryotic VS Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and are smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells
(which have a nucleus). Prokaryotic cells are placed in two taxonomic domains:
Bacteria and Archaea. Organisms in these two domains are structurally similar but
biochemically different.

Eukaryotic cells are members of the domain Eukarya, which includes the protists,
fungi, plants, and animals. A membrane-bounded nucleus houses DNA; the nucleus
may have originated as an invagination of the plasma membrane. Eukaryotic cells
are much larger than prokaryotic cells, and therefore have less surface area per
volume. Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized; they contain small structures called
organelles that perform specific functions. Some eukaryotic cells (e.g., plant cells)
have a cell wall containing cellulose; plasmodesmata are channels in a cell wall that
allow cytoplasmic strands to extend between adjacent cells.

The Structure of Eukaryotic Cells

o Plasma membrane
- porous, elastic structure that separates the contents of the cell from its
surroundings;
- acts as a boundary layer to contain the cytoplasm (fluid in cell);
interlocking surfaces bind cells together
- selectively permeable to select chemicals that pass in and out of cells

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o C
Cell Wall
- additional boun
ndary, asiide from th
he cell mem
mbrane, su
urrounding
g the cells
of pla
ants, fungii, bacteria,, and some
e protozoa
ans.
- very tough sub
bstance ma
ade up of cellulose,
c
w
which
prov
vides support and
ection to th
he cell from
m injury.
prote
o Cytoplasm
C
m
- clearr, jelly like substance
e enclosed
d by the celll membran
ne
- consiists of an aqueous solution off many su
ubstances,, especially
y proteins
s,
proviiding mediium for che
emical reactions

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o Endoplasmic reticulum
- sheets of unit membrane with ribosomes on the outside; forms a tubular
network throughout the cell
- transports chemicals between cells and within cells
- provides a large surface area for the organization of chemical reactions
and synthesis
o Ribosomes
- non-membraneous, spherical bodies composed of RNA (ribonucleic acid)
and protein enzymes
- site of protein synthesis
o Golgi Apparatus
- stacks of flattened sacs of unit membrane (cisternae) ; vesicles pinch off
the edges
- modifies chemicals to make them functional; secretes chemicals in tiny
vesicles ; stores chemicals ; may produce endoplasmic reticulum
o Lysosomes
- membrane bound bag containing hydrolytic enzymes ; hydrolytic enzyme =
(water split biological catalyst)
- main function of these microbodies is digestion; lysosomes break down
cellular waste products and debris from outside the cell into simple
compounds, which are transferred to the cytoplasm as new cell-building
materials
o Mitochondria
- composed of modified double unit membrane (protein, lipid) ; inner
membrane infolded to form cristae
- site of cellular respiration ie. the release of chemical energy from food
Glucose + Oxygen ------> Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)
o Peroxisomes
- membrane-bounded vesicles that contain specific enzymes. Their action
results in production of hydrogen peroxide.
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is broken down to water and oxygen by
catalase. Peroxisomes in the liver produce bile salts from cholesterol and
also break down fats. Peroxisomes also occur in germinating seeds where
they convert oils into sugars used as nutrients by the growing plant.
o Vacuoles
- a single layer of unit membrane enclosing fluid in a sac
- produces turgor pressure against cell wall for support ; stores water and
various chemicals ; may store insoluble wastes
-

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o Chloroplasts
- membranous organelles (a type of plastid) that serve as the site of
photosynthesis. The chloroplast is bound by a double membrane organized
into flattened disc-like sacs called thylakoids formed from a third
membrane; a stack of thylakoids is a granum.
- Chlorophyll and other pigments capture solar energy, and the enzymes
which synthesize carbohydrates are located in the chloroplasts. Other
types of plastids, which differ in color, form, and function from
chloroplasts, include chromoplasts and leucoplasts.
o Microfilaments
- solid rods made of globular proteins called actin
- these filaments are primarily structural in function and are an important
component of the cytoskeleton
o Microtubules
- straight, hollow cylinders are found throughout the cytoplasm of all
eukaryotic cells (prokaryotes don't have them) and carry out a variety of
functions, ranging from transport to structural support
o Cilia and Flagella
- cilia and flagella are hair-like organelles that project from the surface of
some cells
- they cause cells to move through their medium or cause fluids or particles
to move over the cell surface
o Controsome and Centrioles
- centrosome is the structure that occurs outside the nucleus of animal cells;
is composed of two centrioles set at right angles to each other
- centrosome plays a critical role in organizing the tubule system (mitotic
spindle) that is involved in chromosome movement during cell division
- centrosomes also organize the array of microtubules and microfilaments
o Nucleus
- consists of the nuclear envelope, nucleolus, chromatin, and nucleoplasm
- nuclear envelope is composed of two unit membranes with a fluid-filled
space ; nuclear pores present ; outer membrane may be continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum ; selectively permeable to control movement in or
out
- chromatin is composed of long thin strands of DNA ; contains instructions
that control cell metabolism and heredity
- nucleolus is a composed of non-membraneous matrix of RNA (ribonucleic
acid) and protein ; instructions in DNA are copied here ; works with
ribosomes in the synthesis of protein

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