Cell

Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of the human body. Cell can be divided into four
principal parts: Plasma membrane (or cell membrane), Cytoplasm, Organelles and Inclusions.
Between cells, there is an extra-cellular material called matrix.

1) Plasma Membrane
It is the outer membrane that separates the cell from its surrounding. It consists of double
layer of phospholipids. The phospholipid bilayer is embedded with cholesterol, protein &
oligosaccharides. The plasma membrane keeps the contents of the cell inside the cytoplasm
and separate the cytoplasm from the extra cellular fluid. Also it regulates the passage of
materials into and out of cells by selective permeability.

2) Cytoplasm
It is a thick fluid located between the nucleus and plasma membrane. It is considered a ground
substance in which various cell organelles are found i.e. it surrounds organelles. Water
constitutes 75-90% of the cytoplasm.

3) Organelles
They are permanent intra-cellular structures that are specialized in specific activity. The
important organelles includes:
 Nucleus: It is the largest organelle in the cell and contains the genetic material, called
chromosomes. It controls cell activity & structure. Most cell contain single nucleus. But
matured red blood cell do not contain nucleus while skeletal muscle cell contain several
nucleuses.
 Ribosomes: these are tiny granules, composed of Ribosomal RNA (rRNA). They are site of
protein synthesis
 Endoplasmic reticulum: it is a double membrane channel. It involved in intracellular exchange
of material with the cytoplasm i.e. it is an intracellular transportation system. It is also storage
for synthesized molecules. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is divided into two types:
a) Rough E.R. Containing granule (ribosomes) , and it is a sites for protein synthesis
b) Smooth E.R. sites for synthesis lipid & detoxification.
 Golgi complex: near to the nucleus. It consist 4-8 membranous sacs. It process, sort, pack &
deliver protein to various parts of the cell.
 Mitochondria: a small, rod shaped structures. It generates energy as ATP.
 Lysosomes: these are membrane enclosed spheres formed by Golgi complexes. it contain
powerful digestive (hydrolytic) enzyme capable of breaking down many kinds of molecules.
 Cilia/flagella: thread like appendages responsible for movement. They are found in cells of
female reproductive organ and upper respiratory tube.

4) Cell inclusion
 These are the secretions and storage products of cells. Cell produces large and diverse group
of chemicals, mainly organic such as melanin, glycogen & Lipids.
Transport system (movement across-cell membrane)
Cell have a system for transportation of molecules in and out of cell across plasma membrane.
Movements a cross cell membrane takes place in two ways: passive movement and active
movement
Passive movement:
Substances move through a selectively permeable membrane from areas of high concentration
on side of a membrane to an area of low concentration on the other side. This movement is with
the concentration gradient. Therefore, it not requires energy. Passive movement includes:
1. Simple diffusion, the random movements of molecules from area of high concentration to the
area of low concentration. Example air in alveoli of lung
2. Facilitated diffusion, larger molecules, which are not soluble in lipid need protein channel to
pass through the cell membrane. Example: - Amino acid passes through the cell membrane.
3. Osmosis, a special type of diffusion referring to the passage of water through a selectively
permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to lower water
concentration.
4. Filtration, small molecules pass through selectively permeable membrane in response to force
of pressure. Example: - filtration in the kidney in the process of urine formation.
Active movement:
Substances move through a cell membrane from areas of low concentration on side of a
membrane to an area of higher concentration on the other side. This movement is against
concentration gradient. Therefore, it requires energy (ATP). Active movement includes:
1. Active Transport. The molecules bind to carrier protein forming a molecule- carrier complex
which pass through the cell membrane. example is Sodium – potassium pump and calcium
pump
2. Endocytosis, pocketing in by plasma membrane. It includes:
 Pinocytoss – cell drinking
 Receptor – mediated Endocytosis- Endocytosis with the help of receptor.
 Phagocytosis- cell eating.
3. Exocytosis, opposite to Endocytosis, to remove out undigested particles.