Lesson Proper for Week 7

CELLS

The most basic parts of the human machine are cells—an amazing 100 trillion of them by the
time the average person reaches adulthood! Cells are the basic units of structure and function in the
human body, as they are in all living things.

Cells fall into one of two broad categories: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. The single-celled
organisms of the domains Bacteria and Archaea are classified as prokaryotes (pro = before; karyon– =
nucleus). Animal cells, plant cells, fungi, and protists are eukaryotes (eu = true). A prokaryotic cell is a
simple, single-celled (unicellular) organism that lacks a nucleus, or any other membrane-bound
organelle. A eukaryotic cell is a cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound
compartments or sacs, called organelles, which have specialized functions. For this lesson, we will just
focus on eukaryotic cell.

Cell Structure: It’s Parts and Functions

There are many different types, sizes, and shapes of cells in the body. For descriptive purposes,
the concept of a "generalized cell" is introduced. It includes features from all cell types. A cell consists of
three parts: the cell membrane, the nucleus, and, between the two, the cytoplasm. Within the
cytoplasm lie intricate arrangements of fine fibers and hundreds or even thousands of miniscule but
distinct structures called organelles.
Cell Membrane

 First, to be a barrier keeping the constituents of the cell in and unwanted substances out and,
second, to be a gate allowing transport into the cell of essential nutrients and movement from
the cell of waste products

Cytoplasm

 Cytoplasm holds the internal components of cells in place and protects them from damage.
Cytoplasm stores molecules used for cellular processes, as well as hosts many of these
processes within the cell itself.

Nucleus

 The main function of the cell nucleus is to control gene expression and mediate the replication
of DNA during the cell cycle. Inside its fully enclosed nuclear membrane, it contains most of the
cell's genetic material.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

 The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves important functions particularly in the synthesis, folding,
modification, and transport of proteins.

Golgi Apparatus

 The Golgi apparatus is responsible for transporting, modifying, and packaging proteins and lipids
into vesicles for delivery to targeted destinations.

Vacuole

 Vacuoles might store food or any variety of nutrients a cell might need to survive. They can even
store waste products, so the rest of the cell is protected from contamination.

Mitochondrion

 Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell. They help turn the energy we
take from food into energy that the cell can use.

Lysosome

 Lysosomes function as the digestive system of the cell, serving both to degrade material taken
up from outside the cell and to digest obsolete components of the cell itself.

Centrosome

 A centrosome comprises two microtubule rings known as centrioles. Its main function is to
organize the microtubules and provide a structure to the cell. It also pulls the chromatids apart
during cell division
 There are over 200 different cell types in the human body. Each cell carries out basic life processes
that allow the body to survive. Many human cells are specialized in form and function. Each type of cell
in the figure plays a specific role. The most common types of cells are listed below.

TISSUES

After the cell, the tissue is the next level of organization in the human body. A tissue is a group of
connected cells that have a similar function. There are four basic types of human tissues: epithelial,
muscle, nervous, and connective tissues.

Epithelial tissue

Epithelial tissue consists of tightly packed sheets of cells that cover surfaces—including the
outside of the body—and line body cavities. For instance, the outer layer of your skin is an epithelial
tissue, and so is the lining of your small intestine.

Connective tissue

Connective tissue consists of cells suspended in an extracellular matrix. In most cases, the matrix
is made up of protein fibers like collagen and fibrin in a solid, liquid, or jellylike ground substance.
Connective tissue supports and, as the name suggests, connects other tissues.

Muscle tissue

Muscle tissue is essential for keeping the body upright, allowing it to move, and even pumping
blood and pushing food through the digestive tract. Muscle cells, often called muscle fibers, contain the
proteins actin and myosin, which allow them to contract. There are three main types of muscle: skeletal
muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.

Nervous tissue

Nervous tissue is involved in sensing stimuli—external or internal cues—and processing and

transmitting information. It consists of two main types of cells: neurons, or nerve cells, and glia. The
neurons are the basic functional unit of the nervous system. They generate electrical signals called
conducted nerve impulses or action potentials that allow the neurons to convey information very rapidly
across long distances. The glia mainly acts to support neuronal function.

ORGANS

After tissues, organs are the next level of organization of the human body. An organ is a structure that
consists of two or more types of tissues that work together to do the same job.

These are the main organs, as well as their primary function:

BRAIN

- controls thoughts, memory and other organs

HEART

- pumps blood around the body

LUNGS

- separate oxygen from the air and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.

STOMACH

- helps to digest food

INTESTINE

- absorb nutrients from food

LIVER

- removes poisons from the blood

KIDNEYS

- removes poisons from the blood

BLADDER

- stores urine
SKIN

- provides protection from: mechanical impacts and pressure, variations in temperature, micro-
organisms, radiation and chemicals

ORGAN SYSTEMS

- Organs are grouped into organ-systems, in which they work together to carry out a particular
function for the organism.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

- Regulation of body processes through hormone production.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

- Gas exchange between the internal and external environment.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

- Physical and chemical breakdown of food to allow absorption of nutrients.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- Production of reproductive cells that will generate offspring.

MUSCULAR SYSTEM

- Voluntary and involuntary movement.

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

- Protection against the external environment and regulation of temperature.

NERVOUS SYSTEM

- Processing center for sensory input, using the input to elicit appropriate responses.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

- Circulation of blood, which transport gases, nutrients hormones and wastes.

LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

- Circulation of lymph, which maintains fluid balance and helps fight infection.

URINARY SYSTEM

- Filtration of blood and excretion of wastes from the body.

SKELETAL SYSTEM

- Support and protection of many internal organs.