Objective

In this lesson we will learn the following:

What is the difference between procaryotic and eucaryotic cells? Where are eucaryotic cells found in the environment?

Reading Assignment
In addition to the online lecture, read chapter 5 in Wastewater Microbiology .

Lecture Introduction
A eucaryotic cell is larger and more complex than a procaryotic cell and found in animals, plants, algae, fungi, and protozoa.

When you look at a eucaryotic cell with a microscope you'll notice a highly organized structure of organelles that are bound by a membrane. Each organelle performs a specialized function for the cell's metabolism. Eucaryotic cells also contain a membrane-bound nucleus where the cell's DNA is organized into chromosomes.

Depending on the organism, a eucaryotic cell may contain external projections called flagella and cilia. The projections are used for moving substances along the cell's surface or for moving the entire cell. Flagella move the cell in a wavelike motion within its environment. Cilia move substances along the cell's surface and also aid in movement of the cell.

Structure of the Eucaryotic Cell Cell Wall

Many eucaryotic cells have a cell wall. The composition of the cell wall differs with each organism. In contrast, protozoa have no cell wall and instead have a pellicle, which is a flexible, proteinaceous covering. Eucaryotic cells of other organisms (such as animals) that lack a cell have an outer plasma membrane that serves as an outside cover for the cell. The outer plasma membrane has a sticky carbohydrate called glycocalyx on its surface. Glycocalyx is made up of covalently bonded lipids and proteins which anchor the glycocalyx to the cell, giving the cell strength and helping the cell to adhere to other cells. Glycocalyx is also a molecular signature used to identify the cell to other cells. White blood cells use this to identify a foreign cell before destroying it.

Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane surrounds a eucaryotic cell and serves as a barrier between the inner cell and its environment. In a eucaryotic microorganism, the cytoskeleton provides support and shape for cells and helps transport substances through the cell. The plasma membrane of a eucaryotic cell functions like the plasma membrane of a procaryotic cell. Substances enter and leave the cell through the cytoplasmic membrane by using simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. Eucaryotic cells extend parts or sections of their plasma membrane, called pseudopod, which means "false foot". Pseudopods are used to engulf substances and bring them into the cell, which is called endocytosis (a type of active transport). There are two types of endocytosis. These are phagocytosis (eat) and pinocytosis (drink). The amoebae feed mainly upon bacteria and algal unicells, as do most of the ciliates. Whereas the amoebae ingest food particles by absorbing them with their pseudopodia, the ciliates feed by either actively capturing and engulfing prey organisms, or by using their cilia to create currents in the surrounding water which bring the food organisms to their mouths. The captured organism is enclosed in a food vacuole, a membrane-bound vesicle which moves through the cytoplasm as digestion occurs. Undigested remains are discharged into the surrounding water, usually at a definite location in the organism's outer pellicle.

Cytoplasm and Nucleus

The cytoplasm of a eucaryotic cell contains cytosol, organelles, and inclusions, which is similar to the cytoplasm of the procaryotic cell. Eucaryotic cytoplasm also contains a cytoskeleton that gives structure and shape to the cell and assists in transporting substances throughout the cell. The nucleus of a eucaryotic cell contains DNA and is contained within a nuclear envelope. DNA is also found in the mitochondria and chloroplasts. A eucaryotic cell uses a method of cell division during reproduction called mitosis. This is the formation of two daughter cells from a parent cell.

Utilizing Energy in the Cell

The endoplasmic reticulum contributes to the mechanical support and distribution of the cytoplasm and is the pathway for transporting lipids and proteins throughout the cell. Endoplasmic reticulum also provides the surface area for the chemical reaction that synthesizes lipids, it stores lipids and proteins until the cell needs them.

The Golgi complex is considered the "Fedex System" of the cell because it packages and delivers proteins, lipids, and enzymes throughout the cell and to the environment. A lysosome is a sphere in animals cells that is formed by, but is separate from, the Golgi complex. It contains enzymes used to digest molecules that have entered the cell. Think of lysosomes as the digestive system of the cell. The mitochondrion is an organelle that is comprised of a series of folds called cristae that is responsible for the cell's energy production and cellular respiration. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell where ATP is produced. Eucaryotic cells of green plants and algae contain plastids, one of which is chloroplast. Chloroplasts are organelles that contain pigments of chlorophyll and carotenoids used for gathering light and enzymes necessary for photosynthesis. A centriole is a pair of cylindrical structures near the nucleus that is comprised of microtubules and aids in the formation of flagella and cilia. The centriole also has a part in eucaryotic cell division.

Procaryotes and Eucaryotes: How They Are Similar

Despite their apparent differences, procaryotes and eucaryotes have a lot in common. They perform most of the same kinds of functions, and in the same ways. Both are enclosed by plasma membranes, filled with cytoplasm, and loaded with ribosomes. Both have DNA which carries the instructions for operating the cell. Despite all of these similarites, the differences are also clear. Eucaryotic cells are much larger and much more complex than procaryotic cells. The major similiarites between these two types of cells are:

They both have DNA as their genetic material. They are both membrane bound. They both have ribosomes. They have similar basic metabolism. They are both amazingly diverse in forms.

The major differences between the two are: Eucaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; procaryotes do not. The DNA of procaryotes floats freely around the cell; The DNA of eucaryotes is held within the nucleus. The organelles of eucaryotes allow them to exhibit higher levels of intracellular division of labor than is possible in procaryotes.

Humans, of course, are an example of multicellular eucaryotes, while Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium that causes strep throat, is an example of procaryotes, as is all bacteria. Other examples of eucaryotes are animals, plants, fungi, protozoans, and algae.