Cells Chromatin

• A loose network of bumpy threads

Cells are the building blocks/basic units of composed of DNA and protein
all living things.
Plasma Membrane
ANATOMY OF THE CELL
• Fragile, transparent barrier for cell
Cells are not all the same Contents

• All cells share general structures Hydrophilic (Water- loving) Heads

• Polar heads of phospholipid
Cells are organized into three main molecules
Regions: • Attracted to water
1. Nucleus
2. Cytoplasm Hydrophobic (Water- hating) Tails
3. Plasma membrane
• Nonpolar tails of phospholipid
Nucleus (nucle = kernel) molecules
• Located near the center of the cell • Avoid water

• Headquarter/control center of the cell Role of proteins

• Contains genetic material (DNA) Responsible for specialized

membrane functions:
• Shape conforms to the shape of the cell
• Enzymes
• A round or oval body that is surrounded • Receptors for hormones or other
chemical messengers
by the nuclear envelope • Transport as channels or carriers
Nucleus 3 regions: Role of sugars
1. Nuclear membrane/envelope  Glycoproteins are branched sugars
2. Nucleolus attached to proteins that abut the
3. Chromatin extracellular space
 Glycocalyx is the fuzzy, sticky,
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
sugar- rich area on the cell’s
The blueprint that contains all the surface
instructions needed for building the whole
body. Plasma Membrane
Nucleoli (little nuclei) Specializations
• Refers to one or more small, dark- Microvilli
staining, essentially round bodies • Finger-like projections that
Nuclear Envelope/Nuclear Membrane increase surface area for absorption
Example: intestine
• Double membrane barrier of the Membrane Junctions
Nucleus Tight Junctions
Are the closely associated areas of
two cells whose membranes join
 together forming a virtually
impermeable barrier to fluid.
Desmosomes (Macula adherens)
A cell structure specialized for cell-
to-cell adhesion
Gap Junctions
They directly connect the
cytoplasm of two cells, which
allows various molecules, ions and
electrical impulses to directly pass
through a regulated gate between
cells.
Cytoplasm
Cellular material outside the
nucleus and inside the plasma
membrane.
3 major elements:
1. Cytosol
 Fluid that suspends other
elements
 The fluid in which the
organelles of the cytoplasm
are suspended;
 Also called the ground
substance of the cell.
2. Organelles
 Metabolic machinery of the
cell
3. Inclusions
 Non-functioning units
 Chemical substances that
may or may not be present;
most are stored
 nutrients or cell products
Cytoplasmic Organelles
Literally means “little organs.”
Mitochondria (mitos = thread)
Singular: mitochondrion
• Tiny threadlike or sausage-shaped
organelles
• Usually they are rod-shaped, however
they can be round.
• In living things, they squirm, lengthen,
and change shape almost continuously
A. Outer membrane – smooth &
featureless
B. Inner membrane – has shelf like
protrusions called cristae (crests)
Ribosomes
Tiny, bilobed, dark-stained bodies made of
protein and one variety of RNA (ribosomal
RNA)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Membranous system of tubules that
extends throughout the cytoplasm
Exist in 2 forms:
Rough ER
• Studded with ribosomes
• Tubules of rough ER provide an area for
storage and transport of the proteins made
on the ribosomes to other cell areas
Smooth ER
• It has no function in protein synthesis
• It is a site for steroid and lipid synthesis,
lipid metabolism, and drug detoxification
Golgi Apparatus
Stacks of flattened sacs with bulbous ends
and associated small vsicles
Lyzosomes
Various-sized membranous sacs
containing powerful digestive enzymes.
Peroxisomes Cilia
Small lysozomes- like membranous sacs • moves materials accross cell surface
containing oxidase (oxygen) enzymes that
detoxify alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and Flagellum
other harmful chemicals
• propels the cell
Centrioles
Events of Cell Division
Paired cylindrical bodies lie at right angles
Mitosis
to each other close to the nucleus
• The division of the copied DNA of the
Cytoskeleton mother cell to 2 daughter cells
• Provide cellular support by forming an Stages:
internal scaffoldings 1. Prophase
• Function also in intracellular transport 2. Metaphase
• It has 3 different types: 3. Anaphase
1. Microfilament 4. Telophase
2. Intermediate filament
3. Microtubules Interphase

Microfilaments: • Not part of mitosis (no cell division

 Ribbon or cordlike elements occurs)- inactive phase

 Formed largely of actin (a
Prophase
contractile protein), thus are
important in cell mobility, • First part of cell division
particularlyin muscle cells
• Chromatin condenses, forming bar-like
Intermediate Filament:
Chromosomes
• Proteinaceous cytoskeletal elements that
act as internal guy wires to resist Late Telophase
mechanical (pulling) forces acting on cells
• The nuclear envelope breaks up,
Microtubules allowing the spindle to interact with the
chromosomes
• Slender tubules formed of proteins called
tubulins Metaphase

Cellular Projections • Chromosomes cluster and become

aligned at the metaphase plate (the center
Not found in all cells of the spindle midway between the
centrioles) so that a straight line of is seen
Use for movements
Anaphase
• The shortest phase of mitosis
• It begins abruptly as the centromeres
splits simultaneously
Telophase
• Like prophase in reverse
• Identical chromosomes at opposite ends
of the cell uncoil to become chromatin
Cytokinesis
• Division of the cytoplasm
• Begins when mitosis is near completion