CELLULAR STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

CELL
Definition:

Circumscribed mass of protoplasm containing nucleus

Smallest and basic unit of life

Capable of growth and reproduction

Granular Epithelial cell capable of secretion
Plasma Cells produce proteins
2 Major Parts:

Nucleus

Cytoplasm
Function:

Communication

Cell metabolism and energy release

Reproduction and inheritance

Structure:

Organelles specialized structures in cell that perform a specific

function (ex. nucleus)
o Membrane bound has a membrane surrounding (ex.
nucleus, golgi, mitchondria, lysosomes, ER)
o Non membrane bound no enveloping membrane
surrounding the structure (ex. centrioles and ribosome)

Cytoplasm jelly like substance that hold organelles

o Organelles (suspended in the cytosol)
o Inclusion (suspended in the cytosol)
o Cytoskeleton
o Components
Organelles that contains DNA:

Nucleus [46]

Mitochondria [1] (from the mother only)

Generalized/ Perfect cell contains all the structures of the other cells (does
not exist)
Microfilaments for contraction (muscle cells)
Mitochondria power house of the cell

4.

Vesicle
Can transport a number of materials through the utilization of cell
membrane

2 Kinds of Ion Channels

o Gated Channel often closed (Na+)
o Non-gated Channel aka leaky always open (K+)
Diffusion movement of concentration from higher concentration to lower
concentration (solute)
Concentration gradient

Measures conc. difference of 2 points

Greater the distance the faster the solute will travel

Difference of concentration of substances

Filtration movement of fluid through a partition with holes
Fenestration formation of Urine
Mediated Transport Mechanism made possible because of a carrier
molecule

Facilitated Diffusion (passive) w/o energy required

Active Transport Mechanism from low to high concentration

o ATP is required
Osmosis water molecules move down the concentration gradient (solvent)

Osmotic Pressure force required to prevent the movement of

water

Hydrostatic pressure prevents net molecules of water in the tube

Hypertonic high concentration of solute and lower water

concentration in the cytoplasm (shrink)

Hypotonic lower concentration of solutes to a higher

concentration of water in the cytoplasm (swell)

Isotonic solutes and water are same

Lysis when a cell swell

Crenation when a cell shrinks

Endocytosis bulk transport mechanism

2 Types of Endocytosis
o Pinocytosis cell drinking (liquid)
o Phagocytosis cell eating (macromolecules solid)

Ligands substance to be interralized

Endosome pre lysosomal compartments (dethatched the ligand

to the receptor)

Cell Membrane outer most component of the cell

Function:

Selective barrier that determines what can pass in and out of the
cell
Cell Structures:

Encloses the cytoplasm

Cytoplasm inside cell; jelly like fluid; gives the cell a shape and holds
o Extracellular substances outside of the cell
organelles in place
o Intracellular substances inside the cell
Nucleus control center of the cell
Major molecules that make up a cell membrane:
Nuclear envelope edge of nucleus

Phospholipids
Nuclear pores passageway of materials
Chromosome inside nucleus; part of genetic make up; made up of DNA

Proteins
and proteins
Microtubules assist in cell division
Nucleolus produces ribosome
Flagella propel sperm cell
Ribosome types of ribosome
Microvilli increase surface area of a cell

Small
Ribosome

2 Kinds of Ribosome

Large
o Free ribosome manufacture proteins for cell
RER site of protein synthesis
SER no ribosome; lipid synthesis
consumption
Golgi Apparatus [RER] cytoplasm; closely packed stacks; serves as
o Attached ribosome -proteins are secreted
passageway; distributes protein and lipids
Polar hydrophilic (water loving) head [phosphate]

Cis face entry passageway

Non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail [fatty acid]
Bilaminar structure proteins floating on a sea of lipids

Intermediate actual process of modification

Why do molecules pass through the cell membrane?

Trans face exit face; maturing site

1. Directly through (Diffusion)
Signal Peptide initial segment that signals whether the ribosome is for

O2 and CO2
secretion or not
2. Membrane Channels
Secretory Vesicle distribute materials of the cell

Proteins that extend from one side of the cell membrane to another 2 Types of Respiration

Passive Transport Mechanism moves bec. of the difference of

Aerobic Respiration requires oxygen

concentration

Anaerobic Respiration no oxygen

Active Transport Mechanism energy is required

Microvilli - absoption
3. Carrier Molecule
Cytoskeleton cells framework

The shape must be compatible with the shape of the carrier

Microtubules largest in diameter

molecule

Intermediate filaments medium in diameter

Microfilaments smallest in diameter

Why do substance move? bec of constant random motion