Cell Biology 1

Chapter 3

Structure of the Cell

3.1 Parts Common to the Cell

Discovered by Robert Hooke, 1665, with a light microscope
Described it as a Honeycomb
Made of many little units called cells
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek discovered the first human blood cells
Cell Theory:
All living things are made of cells
All cells come from other pre-existing cells
Cells are the fundamental unit of life
Cell Diversity:
Cells with different jobs are found in different shapes

3.1 Parts Common to the Cell

Four common parts of a cell:
Plasma Membrane
Thin coat of lipids that surround a cell. Forms a physical
boundary between the cell and environment
Cytoplasm
All of the cellular material inside the cell, other than the
nucleus
Made up of a water substance called cytosol
Contains organelles
Ribosomes
Structure where proteins are made
DNA
Nucleic Acid found in cells. Contains genetic material cells
need to make proteins

3.2 Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic

Two basic types of cells: One
with a nucleus, one without
Prokaryotic- without a
nucleus
DNA is found in the
cytoplasm
Found in single-celled
organisms, like bacteria
Organisms with
Prokaryotic cells are
called Prokaryotes
Most common
organism

3.2 Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic

Eukaryotic Cells
Cells that contain a nucleus
Usually larger than prokaryotic
cells
Found in multicellular organisms
These organisms are
Eukaryotes
Also contain organelles
Structure in the cytoplasm that
performs a certain function
Ex: Mitochondria providing
energy to the cell
Presence of organelles allow
eukaryotic cells to be more
specific

3.3 Viruses
Viruses are tiny particles that may cause
disease
Common human viruses include common
cold and flu
Are viruses prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
NEITHER
Viruses are Nucleic Acids wrapped in
protein called a capsid
Lack a plasma membrane and other cell
parts
Are viruses alive?
Viruses cannot reproduce themselves
Viruses infect the host, and use their
cells to make copies of the virus

3.3 Viruses
Bacteriophage Reproduction
Bacteriophages or phages are bacterial viruses.
2 types of phage reproductive cycles:
Lytic Cycle: results in a bursting of the cell (lyse means
to break)
After the cell breaks, it releases the viruses that have
been made inside
Lysogenic Cycle: No destruction of host cell
Once viral DNA enters chromosomes, cell continues to
create the virus, and it becomes dormant
Lysogenic Cycle then becomes Lytic Cycle

3.3 Viruses
Emerging Viruses
Viruses that appear suddenly and are new in discovery
Can occur because of mutations, contact with different
species, and spread from isolated populations
Ex: HIV, Ebola, SARS
Viroids
Viruses that infect plants. Small circular RNA replicate in
plant cells.
Cause diseases that stunt growth
Prions
Infectious proteins associated w/ animals
Cause of Mad Cow Disease
Malfuctioning protein in brain cells. No Cure.

3.4 Phospholipid Bilayer

Plasma Membrane forms a barrier between cytoplasm and
outside environment
Protects, supports the cell, controls what enters & leaves
Only allows certain substances to pass through
This is called semipermeability
Composed mainly of phospholipids
Have a head & two tails. The head loves water. tails hate
water
Water-fearing tails are on the interior, heads are on the exterior
pointed towards cytoplasm & outside environment
Small hydrophobic molecules can easily pass through the
membrane because they share features with the interior of the
phospholipid
Hydrophilic molecules share features with the exterior of the
membrane (water loving) and are tougher to pass through

Announcements

HW 3.4 + 3.5
Test on Thursday
FUEGO FRIDAY!!!!!

3.5 Membrane Proteins

Proteins and other lipids make up a small portion of the
membrane (Cholesterol helps membrane keep its shape)
Membrane Proteins are proteins attached to the membrane,
or an organelle. 2 Types:
Integral Mem. Proteins- embedded within membrane
Transport molecules across, and can act as a cell
receptor
Also assist in cell adhesion (sticking to another cell)
Peripheral Mem. Proteins- only temporarily attached to
membrane
Fluid Mosaic Model
Integral Proteins embedded within the bilayer can actually
move around the cell, shifting position of phospholipids
(Video from iBook)

3.5 Membrane Proteins

Plasma membrane may also have flagella or cilia which allow
the cell to move
Microtubules (small tubes) make up the cytoskeleton which allows
the cell to keep its shape and structure
Also play a role in cellular divisions

3.6 Cytoplasm & Cytoskeleton

Functions of cytoplasm:
Suspend organelles
Push against plasma membrane to help cell keep its shape
Provide a site for biochemical reactions
Cytoskeleton
Cellular scaffolding that crisscrosses the cytoplasm
Prokaryotic cells also have a cytoskeleton
Made up of protein fibers that keep the cells shape, keep
organelles in place, and help cell movement.
3 types: Microtubules, Intermediate Filaments, and
Microfilaments all play roles in cellular division

3.6 Cytoplasm & Cytoskeleton

Microtubules:
Thick, hollow cylinders of tubulin (protein) that extend outward
from the nucleus
Forms the Mitotic Spindle in cell division
Microfilaments:
Made of 2 thin actin chains that twist around one another
Concentrated beneath the cell membrane
Actin in microfilaments interacts with myosin to create muscle
contractions.
Found in almost every cell, especially muscle cells and cells
that change shape to move (ex: phagocytes)
Intermediate Filaments
Organize & hold organelles in place
Structural component of the nuclear envelope, also found in
skin, hair & nails (made of keratin)

3.7 Cell Nucleus

Membrane-enclosed organelle found in eukaryotic cells
Largest organelle and contains genetic info
Genetic info dictates structure & function of the cell. Found
as DNA in form of genes
Gene is a short segment of DNA, which will encode an
RNA molecule or protein strand (codon)
DNA is organized in long coiled strands called
chromosomes which contain many genes for the cell
Gene expression is when a gene is read to make protein
During Cell Division, DNA is loosely coiled, called
chromatin

3.7 Cell Nucleus

Nuclear Envelope
Double-membraned nucleus
enclosed genetic material
Outer membrane layer is a
continuation of the Endoplasmic
Reticulum
Tiny dots called nuclear pores
help regulate exchange of
materials between cytoplasm &
nucleus
Nucleolus
Non-membrane bound organelle
within the nucleus.
Function is to create Ribosomes,
and export them to the cytoplasm

3.8 Ribosomes & Mitochondria

Ribosomes
Small organelle that acts as a site for protein synthesis
Cells with high protein synthesis activity usually have more
ribosomes
Ex: Pancreatic Cells
Has no membrane, and is made up of two parts. Large and
Small Subunits
These subunits are attached
Ribosomes are found attached to the ER, attached to the
Nuclear Envelope and also free-floating in the cytoplasm
Ribozymes are molecules that catalyze translation
Translation is the reading of RNA molecules by ribosomes to
create proteins

3.8 Ribosomes & Mitochondria

Mitochondria
Membrane enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells
and a few prokaryotic cells
Known as the power-plant of the cell, as the site of cellular
respiration to change energy into ATP (Adenosine
Triphosphate) for movement.
Number of mitochondria in a cell depends on energy needs.
Muscle Cells= Thousands / Red Blood Cells= None
2 membrane layers. Smooth outer layer and folded inner
layer. Folds are called cristae
Folds inc. membrane surface area which allows for more ATP
production.
Mitochondria have their own DNA which leads scientists to
believe they are descendents of prokaryotic cells that infected
eukaryotes.

3.9 Other Organelles

A. Endomembrane system
1. Network of membranes in and around a eukaryotic cell
2. Some are physically connected
3. Some rely on transfer of molecules by vesicles
B. Endomembrane system organelles
1. Endoplasmic reticulum
2. Lysosomes
3. Vacuoles
4. Nuclear envelope
5. Golgi apparatus
6. Plasma membrane

3.9 Other Organelles

The two types of endoplasmic reticulum are smooth and rough
Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum
Lacks Ribosomes
Contain enzymes important to the synthesis of lipids
Also store calcium ions
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Synthesizes more membranes
Ribosomes on the rough ER produce proteins to be added to
the ER, transported to other organelles, or secreted to other
cells

3.9 Other Organelles

Golgi Apparatus
Receives and modifies products of the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Consists of flattened Sacs
One Side of the golgi apparatus serves as a receiving dock,
where vesicles created by the ER attach to the golgi
apparatus.
The other side ships vesicles to other sites
Products are modified as they travel from the receiving tend
to the shipping end in the golgi apparatus

3.9 Other Organelles

Vesicles: Two types, Lysosomes & Peroxisomes
Lysosomes illustrate a main theme of eukaryotic cells:
Compartmentalization
Lysosomes contain Digestive enzymes
Contained within a membrane
Have many different digestive functions
Digest food and then release the nutrients to the cell
Digest bacteria and other contagions for disposal
Digest damaged organelles

3.9 Other Organelles

Vesicles contd
Peroxisome
Not a part of the endomembrane system
Involved in detoxification of alcohol and other harmful
substances, and the breakdown of fatty acids to be used
as fuel
Vacuoles
Membrane enclosed sac that has a variety of functions
Differ in plant cells and animal cells
Plant cells
Enlarge to hold water, nutrients, pigments, poisons and
waste products