Topic 2: Cells •

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Cytoskeleton
It is a network of protein fibers extending
throughout the cytosol
a. Microtubule
• What is a cell? - Largest of the cytoskeletal components
- Cells are usually referred to as the basic unit of life. - Composed mainly of the protein tubulin
- Why are they considered basic? A singular cell can - Helps determine cell shape
be likened to an organism itself capable of sustaining - Also function in the movement of secretory vesicles,
life on its own. of chromosomes during cell division and of
- Within a cell are organelles, which enable the cell to specialized cell projections <cilia and flagella>
function and contribute to the overall processes b. Microfilament
inside the body. - Thinnest element of the cytoskeleton
• Basic Parts of a Cell: - Composed of the protein actin
1. Nucleus - With respect to movement, they are involved in
- an organelle located near the center of the cell which muscle contraction
contains the cell’s genetic material c. Intermediate Filament
- Since it contains the genetic material, it is said to be - Thicker than microfilaments but thinner than
the control / command center of the cell microtubules
- Within the nucleus is the cell’s genetic material in the - Helps stabilize the position of organelles and helps
form of chromosomes attach cells to one another
(There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, the last pair of • Cell’s Life Cycle
which is the sex chromosomes)
- In the chromosomes are the DNA molecules and G1 Phase
inside the DNA molecules are the genes which Interphase
Growth: the cell grows in size and carry
enable the cell to carry out its basic function out their normal day to day activities.
- The nucleus is enclosed and separated from the rest
of the cytoplasm by the nuclear G2 Phase
membrane/envelope. The cell
S Phase prepares the enzymes and
- The structure of the nuclear membrane is similar to machinery for mitosis.
Prior to mitosis, the cell readies itself
that of the plasma membrane by duplicating its chromosomes and
- The nuclear membrane has tiny openings called other cellular contents. Before DNA
nuclear pores which serves to control the movement synthesis, each of the cell’s
of substances between the nucleus and the chromosomes consist of one
cytoplasm chromatid. After DNA synthesis, each
of the cell’s chromosomes consist of 2
2. Cytoplasm
genetically identical sister chromatids
- Consists of all the cellular contents between the attached at the centromere.
plasma membrane and the nucleus
- Between the nucleus and the plasma membrane is a G2 Phase
space, which is filled up with fluid and organelles. The cell prepares the enzymes and
- It is divided into two parts: machinery for mitosis.
a. Cytosol → fluid portion of the cytoplasm
b. Organelles
3. Cell wall Prophase During early prophase, the
- “cell membrane” chromosomes condense, making them
- “plasma membrane” distinguishable when using a light
- “plasmalemma” microscope.
- Separates the cell’s internal environment from the
external environment During late prophase, the nucleoli
• How are ribosomes manufactured? disappear and the mitotic spindle
apparatus assembles. The mitotic
spindle will consist of microtubules
Proteins in the Once in the The ribosomal that extend from pole to pole.
nucleolus, the subunits will
cytoplasm
proteins will exit the nucleus
move into the into the
nucleus via the bind to rRNA The mitotic spindle has attached to the
cytoplasm Metaphase
nuclear pores which is where they join centromere of each chromosome and
and eventually synthesized with another moves them through the "dance of
reach the inside the ribosomal
nucleolus to subunit to give mitosis".
nucleolus
form ribosomal rise to a
subunits ribosome.
Anaphase During anaphase the mitotic spindle
apparatus pulls the sister chromatids
• 2 types of Ribosomes: of each chromosome apart by
a. Free ribosomes attaching to each centromere and then
- unattached to any structure, free floating pull the chromatids to each pole of the
cell.
- synthesize proteins to be used inside the cell
b. Membrane-bound ribosomes
- attached to nuclear membrane and ER Telophase Chromosomes begin to disperse.
- make protein for export from the cell Spindle fibers disperse. Cytokinesis
begins--formation of daughter cells.