Cell Biology - Part 1

1) Plasma Membrane
2) Cytoskeleton
 “Generic” Cell Structure

Cytoskeleton
 Cell Plasma Membrane
Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Proteins, Oligosaccharides

• Membranes are fluid

– Cholesterol
– Fatty acids
MOVIE
Plasma Membrane seen in Transmission
Electron Microscope (TEM)
 Fluid Mosaic Model of Plasma Membrane
Lipids fluid;
mosaic distribution
of proteins

Integral protein

Peripheral
proteins Transmembrane
protein
Lipids
Freeze Fracture
 Transmembrane Proteins

• Single-pass
• Multi-pass
Plasma Membrane Functions

1. Transport

a) Passive diffusion: dependent MOVIE

upon concentration gradient

b) Facilitated diffusion: passive MOVIE

but requires carrier protein

c) Active transport MOVIE

d) Bulk transport: Endocytosis (Pinocytosis, Phagocytosis)

MOVIE
Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
2. Communication
MOVIE
a. Signal Transduction: G Proteins

3. Adhesion - junctions between cells

Membrane components are excellent targets

for chemotherapeutic drugs
Cytoskeleton
 Microfilaments: Polymers of actin

• Microvilli
• Network in cell cortex
• Cell shape changes
• Filopodia and lamellapodia (crawling)
• Interact with myosin during muscle contraction
 Intermediate Filaments
• Keratin - epithelium
• Vimentin - mesenchymal cells
• Desmin - muscle cells
• Glial fibrillary acidic proteins - glial cells
• Neurofilaments - neurons
 Microtubules: Polymers of tubulin
• 13 protofilaments, form hollow tube
• Protofilaments composed of alternating
alpha and beta tubulin monomers
• Functions:
– Mitotic spindle MOVIE
– Cilia and flagella
– Transport

Excellent target for chemotherapeutic drugs -e.g. Taxol

Cilia are motile “whips” made of microtubules

9 + 2 arrangement of
microtubules
Centrioles help organize microtubules during
cell division
9 + 3 arrangement of
microtubules