Inside A Cell

What do all cells have?

1. Cytoplasm
2. Nucleus
3. Cell Membrane
Size: 1-100 um

Prokaryote vs. Eukaryote?

Click on Click on https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/

Organelle Role of the organelle Plant or Animal Prokaryote or

Eukaryote
Lysosome and Useless proteins are degraded; specialized motor Both Eukaryote
Vesicles proteins carry tethered vesicles along microtubules
to their destination. Springy actin proteins are
organized on one end of some very specialized
vesicles. When the mechanical build-up of energy
is released, the vesicles are propelled through the
cell.
Mitochondria Once free living –components include: Their own Both Eukaryote
set of unique proteins embedded in their membrane
folds enabling them to participate in a variety of
cellular activities. They are responsible for
generating the cell’s energy. Using sugar and
oxygen, protein complexed in the inner membrane
manufacture energy molecules that are used
throughout the cell.
Cytoskeleton A system of roads for the transport of cargo by Animal Eukaryote
motor proteins; a springy skeleton that gives the
cell its shape. It also helps organize the events of
cell division.
Golgi Apparatus The molecules are tagged with specific labels that Both Eukaryote
transport proteins will use to deliver them to the
 proper place in the cell.
Nucleus Gene expression in a process called transcription; Both Both
Safely stores the cell’s DNA blueprint without
interference; Separates DNA from the activity of
the cytoplasm.
Endoplasmic Packaging proteins – Freshly made proteins and Both Eukaryote
Reticulum fats are packed into vesicles and sent from the ER
to the Golgi apparatus
Cell Wall Protects the cell from injury and provides skeletal Plant Eukaryote
support for the plant
Chloroplast Once free living –components include: Plant Eukaryote
Photosynthesis, has their own independent genome
Vacuole Storing nutrients, breaking down waste, helping the Plant Eukaryote
cell grow, and providing pressure necessary for
maintain the plant’s shape
Cell membrane Allows very small molecules to pass freely, while Both Eukaryote
the movement of larger molecules is regulated by
transport proteins.
Nucleolus Ribosomal RNA (rRna) synthesis and ribosome Both Eukaryote
biogenesis
DNA Long-term storage of information; contains Both Both
instructions to construct other components of the
cell.

Click on “Directing Traffic: How Vesicles Transport Cargo”

A vesicle forms when the membrane bulges out and pinches off. It travels to its destination then merges with another
membrane to release its cargo. In this way proteins and other large molecules are transported without ever having to cross
a membrane.
Watch the video --- “how vesicles travel cellular highways”. Complete the following.
Busy cells are often filled with thousands of traveling vesicles. To help organize these vesicles and get them pointed in the
right direction, the cell uses the ___rigid____ _____filaments_______ and tubes of the ____cytoskeleton_____. Special
motor _____proteins_____ attach to cargo-filled vesicles and carry them along the cytoskeleton like trucks on a highway.
Motor proteins attach to ___vesicles___ and walk along a ___microtubule____ of the ___cytoskeleton_____. Dyneins
walk toward the microtubule organizing center (MTOC, or centrosome) and kinesins walk away from the MTOC.

What is the real-time video showing? It is showing vesicles traveling along neurons inside a living fruitfly
embryo. The three columns of moving vesicles show the locations of three different nerves. Each nerve is a
bundle of axons from many neurons (a specialized cell type of the nervous system). The vesicles are visible
because they contain Green Fluorescent Protein.
Click on “Membranes Organize Cellular Complexity”

Why are membranes so important for a cell?

Membrane ____proteins______ that contact the spaces on both sides of the membrane the __gate__ keepers of cellular

compartments. Each type of compartments has a specific

population of membrane proteins that largely define its

_____function______. On average, proteins make up about

___half___ the mass of membranes.

The nuclear ____pore____ ____complex_____ (see

scanning electron micrographs at right) is a unique protein
structure that controls traffic flow in and out of the nucleus.

Draw the “Nuclear pore complexes on the nuclear membranes 

of frog oocytes”

Making Proteins

Making, modifying, and delivering proteins to the right location is crucial for cells. Eukaryotic cells in
particular have what we call the endomembrane system for coordinating these activities. Make a flow chart to
discuss what structures are involved in making the following types of proteins.

free ribosome pathway – for making proteins

destined to be free floating in the cytoplasm

bound ribosome pathway – for making proteins destined to be or

_________________________