The Cell

Cell Theory

Cells are the structural “building blocks”

of all plants & animals

Cells are produced by the division of

preexisting cells

Cells are the smallest structural units

that perform all vital functions
Cells as “Basic Units”
of Life
Own organized structure
Specialized for environment &
Funtion
Own metabolism
Own growth
Own reproduction
 Two Types of Cells

Sex Cells:
Reproductive or Germ Cells
Male = Sperm
Female = Oocyte
Somatic Cells:
All the other cells in the body
 Cytology

• Study of the Structure & Function of

Cells
Imaging Methods & Instruments:
Light Microscope
Transmission Electron Microscope
Scanning Electron Microscope
Anatomy of a Typical Cell
Flow Chart for the Study of Cell Structure
Cell Membrane - Plasmalemma
Plasma Membrane = PM
Lipid bilayer: two back-to-back layers
made up of three types of lipid
molecules.
Phospholipids
Cholesterol
Glycolipids
Functions of the Cell Membrane
Physical Barrier: Flexible boundary

- results in physical isolation

Selectively Permeable: regulation of

exchange with the outside environment

Sensitivity: receptors for

communication, etc.

Structural Support: connections between

PM & extracellular materials
 Phospholipids

Responsible for majority of the Lipid Bilayer

Gives PM it’s “selective permeability”
Has a polar & nonpolar sides
Also called: Hydrophilic & Hydrophobic
 Plasma Membrane & Proteins
Integral & Peripheral proteins found in PM
Also responsible for selective permeability
Proteins act as: Receptors, Channels,
Transporters, Enzymes & Cell Identity
Markers
 Fluid Compartments
of the Body

Intra-Cellular Fluid: ICF

Extra-Cellular Fluid: ECF
Interstial Fluid
Plasma
Lymph
Cell ICF

Intra-Cellular
Fluid

ECF
Extra-Cellular Fluid
- interstitial fluid
- plasma
- lymph
Transport Across Plasma Membrane

Two basic ways substances move into &

out of the cell across the Plasma
Membrane:

Passive Movement & Active

Transport
 Passive Movement
of Substances Across the PM
3 main types:
Simple Diffusion
Facilitated Diffusion
Osmosis

None Require
Energy!!!
 Diffusion
Solute moves down it’s concentration
gradient, from an area of high
concentration to areas of low
concentration.
This occurs because of random
movement of molecules.
Heat increases the rate of diffusion &
cold slows the rate down.
Final equilibrium is reached and a steady
state is obtained.
 Simple Diffusion

Substances diffuse across PM by one of two

ways:
Lipid-Soluble: O2, CO2, Steroids,Nitrogen, Fat
soluble vitamins, alcohols, ammonia
Ion Channels: let specific ions such as Na,
move through the membrane. Some channels
are gated in that the ion can move only in one
direction.

Does Not Require Energy!!!

No Energy Required!!
 Facilitated Diffusion
Integral Proteins bind to a specific
substance & releases it into or out of
the cell.
Also goes down a concentration
gradient.
Ex: Glucose/ Urea/ Vitamins

Does not require energy to

work.
No Energy Required!!
 Osmosis
Is the net movement of Water
through a selectively permeable
membrane.
Osmotic Pressure
Hypotonic solutions
Hypertonic solutions
Isotonic solutions
No Energy Required!!
 Semi-Permeable
Membrane

Osmotic
Pressure

Solvent Solvent

Solute Solute
 Osmosis
Increase RBC (Red Blood Cell) swelling &
rupture from a hypotonic solution is called
hemolysis.
Shrinkage of a RBC from a hypertonic solution
is called Crenation.
 Active Transport
Cellular energy required to transport
substances across the PM against a
concentration gradient.
2 types:
Carrier Mediated with ATP
Hydrolysis
Vesicular Transport
Both Require Use of Energy!!
Vesicular Transport
- Exocytosis

Requires Energy!!
 Sodium-Potassium Pump
By hydrolysis of ATP --> ADP + PO4.
Energy is released.
A Plasma Membrane Enzyme (protein)
uses the energy from ATP hydrolysis to
move 3 Na (sodiums) out of the cell & 2
K (potassiums) into the cell
The movement of both Na & K is
against their concentration gradients.
Na-K Pump Requires Energy!!!
 Vesicle Transport

Bulk Transport of large or polar molecules

Requires energy to make vesicles
Endocytosis: such as Phagocytosis or
pinocytosis. Brings large quantities into
the cell.
Exocytosis: Large quantities of substances
released out of the cell.
Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
 Cytoplasm
Cytosol: intracellular fluid - proteins, ions,
nutrients & waste products
- About 55% of the total cell volume
- Site of many chemical reactions
- Varies in composition from cell to cell

Organelles:
- Nonmembranous Organelles
- Membranous Organelles
 Nonmembranous Organelles
Cytoskeleton
Provides structural integrity to the cell
Helps in mobility
4 types of protein filaments:
Microfilaments: protein actin - found in
microvilli
Intermediate Filaments: cytoplasm strength &
transport
Thick Filaments: - myosin - found in muscle
cells
Microtubles: - built from the protein tubulin
Cytoskeleton
 Nonmembranous Organelles
Centrioles / Centrosome: use microtubules -
direct chromosome movement during cell
division

Cilia: microtubules - “beat” rhythmically -

move mucus

Flagella: like cilia but longer - only in sperm -

motility

Ribosomes: 60% RNA / 40% protein

Fixed to ER vs Free Floating - site of protein
synthesis
Centriol
es
Celi
a
Flagel
la

Centrioles & Celia

Sperm
Ribosomes
 Membranous Organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum
Can be either rough or smooth
Extends from the nuclear membrane
Is a network of folded membranes
Rough ER: is the site of protein synthesis
Smooth ER: site of lipid synthesis
 Membranous Organelles
Mitochondria
Double membrane system: smooth
outer membrane & folded inner
membrane called the Cristae
Inner fluid is called the Matrix
“Power house” of the cell. Generates
ATP
Has own genetic material for
reproduction
Is able to produce it’s own proteins
 Membranous Organelles

Golgi Apparatus
Synthesis & packaging of secretions
Directs final cellular products to specific
destinations - intra or extracellular
Produces a vesicle or vacuole
Renewal & modification of the cell
membrane
Golgi Apparatus
 Lysosomes

Membrane-enclosed vesicles containing

digestive enzymes
Fuse with phagosomes formed by
endocytosis & digest the contents
Fuse with & recycle damaged organelles
Autolysis: self destruction - “suicide packets” -
how we remove and recycle old worn out cells.
Nucleus
 Nucleus
Contains the cell’s genetic material:
DNA
Controls most cellular activities
Contains the nucleolus: specific genetic
material RNA for ribosome synthesis
Double membrane, Nuclear Envelope
keeps nucleus separated from the
cytoplasm
Multiple openings: Nuclear Pores
control movement of materials in/out of
nucleus
 Nucleus

Nucleolus
• Chromosomes:
– DNA
wrapped
around
proteins
called
histones.
– Nucleosomes
– Chromatin
Intercellular Attachments
The Cell Life Cycle
DNA Replication
Interphase
Prophase
Metaphase
Telophase