CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY

Assist. Prof. Dr. Pınar Siyah

Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Bahçeşehir University

E-mail: pinar.siyah@med.bau.edu.tr
 Cell and Organelles

• Cell can be defined as fundamental structural and functional unit of life bound by
plasma membrane that can reproduce independently.
• All living organisms are composed of basic structural and functional fundamental
units, which are called as Cells.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Landmark
Discoveries
• In 1665, Robert Hooke investigated a piece
of cork under microscope. He found that
cork was made up of small compartments;
he called them as cells.
• In 1672, Leeuwenhoek was the first who
observed sperms, bacteria, and red blood
cells under microscope.
• In 1831, Robert Brown postulated that all
cells had a nucleus in the center.
• In 1839, Schleiden and Schwann postulated
cell theory.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Cell Theory Postulates
• Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839) proposed Cell theory.
All living organisms are made up of one or more than one cells.
• Cell is the fundamental unit of life.
• Later on, Rudolph Virchow in 1885 described that “Omnis Cellula
e Cellula”.
The modified cell theory is as follows:
1. The body of all living organisms is made up of cells.
2. The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
3. All cells arise from preexisting cells
(Omnis Cellula e Cellula).

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Modern Concept of Cell

• All living organisms are made up of one or more

cells.
• All living cells arise from preexisting cells by
division.
• The cell is the basic unit of structure and function
among all living organisms.
• Biochemical reactions involving catabolism and
anabolism in organism occur inside cells.
• Cells contain genetic material which is transferred
from one cell to other cell.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Prokaryotic Cell vs Eukaryotic Cell

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Prokaryotic Cell vs Eukaryotic Cell

Pro- means “primitive,” and karyon means “nucleus.” The word Eu means “true” and karyon means “nucleus.”

• Prokaryotic cell has primitive nucleus. It is not enclosed by • Eukaryotic cells have properly defined nucleus. It is surrounded by
nuclear membrane. nuclear membrane.

• Cell has a single double-stranded circular DNA molecule in • Cell contains single double-stranded helically coiled DNA which
cytoplasm. It is called as nucleoid. associates with histone proteins to form chromosomes.

• Cell membrane is covered by cell wall. • Cell membrane has phospholipid bilayer structure.

• Cytoplasm lacks membrane-bound cytoplasmic organelles. • Cytoplasm has membrane-bound organelles.

• Cell contains 70S ribosomes freely scattered in cytoplasm. • Cell contains internal cytoskeleton.

• Cell lacks internal cytoskeleton. Cell contains 80S ribosomes attached to endoplasmic reticulum.

• Cell lacks mitochondria. Enzymes for respiration in • Cell contains mitochondria containing enzymes for oxidative
prokaryotes are found within phosphorylation and energy production.

the infoldings of cell membrane and these infoldings are • Cells divide by mitosis.
called as mesosomes.
• Cell division occurs by fission.
© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022
SUMMARY
Venn Diagram of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes Both Eukaryotes

Simple structure
No prominent Complex structure
nucleus Prominent nucleus
Small size Large size
Small ribosomes Contain DNA Large ribosomes
Unicellular Contain ribosomes Unicellular or
No membrane Have cell membrane Multicellular
bounded Contain cytoplasm Membrane
organelles bounded organelles
Examples are Human, plant,
bacteria and fungi, protists
archaea

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Plasma Membrane

Plasma membrane is a lipoproteinaceous semipermeable structure that surrounds and

supports protoplasm.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Sandwich Model

• Sandwich model was proposed by

Danielli and Davson in 1935.
• Plasma membrane is made up of a
phospholipid bilayer and two layers of
proteins to form a protein-lipid-protein
structure of plasma membrane.
• Lipid bilayer in Danielli and Davson
model has the same structure as was
proposed in lipid bilayer model.
• Lipid bilayer is surrounded
(sandwiched) on either side by sheets of
beta proteins.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Unit Membrane Model

Unit membrane model was proposed by

Robertson in 1950.
• All biological membranes have unit membrane
structure.
• Unit membrane is made up of a central
phospholipid bilayer, and it is sandwiched
between two sheets of proteins. This arrangement
of lipoprotein layers results in formation of a
trilaminar structure of plasma membrane. The
trilamella together constitute as a unit to
surround and support cell and organelles.
• Thickness of unit membrane is 75 Å.
– Thickness of lipid bilayer is 35 Å.
– Thickness of each layer of protein is 20 Å.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Fluid Mosaic Model
It is a highly accepted model of plasma membrane.
• Fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane structure was
proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972. It is also called as Singer
and Nicolson model.
Plasma membrane has a thickness of 75 Å.
• Plasma membrane is a dynamic structure.
• Plasma membrane has a quasi-fluid nature. It is partly solid as it
surrounds and protects cell and organelles. It is partly liquid as it
allows passage of substances through it.
• Quasi-fluid nature of membrane allows lateral movement of
protein molecules through lipid bilayer.
• Plasma membrane structure represents a mosaic of lipids and
proteins. The protein molecules like icebergs float in a sea of lipid
molecules.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Fluid Mosaic Model
Nature of Lipids in Fluid Mosaic Model
• Lipid molecules have amphipathic nature. Lipid
molecules are arranged into two layers forming
a lipid bilayer.
• Each lipid molecule has a polar head
(hydrophilic) and a nonpolar tail (hydrophobic).
Polar heads of all lipid molecules are directed
outward toward aqueous medium. Nonpolar tails
of lipid molecules are oriented inward in such a
way that tails of one lipid bilayer face tails of
another lipid bilayer. • Lipid bilayer in membrane
is quasi-fluid in nature. • Plasma membrane
structure represents a mosaic of lipids and
proteins. The protein molecules like icebergs
float in a sea of lipid molecules.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Nature of Proteins in Fluid Mosaic Model
• Integral membrane protein
Integral membrane proteins are permanently attached to
hydrophobic region of lipid layer. They are also called as
intrinsic proteins.
• Peripheral membrane proteins
These proteins are present on surface of membrane. They are
also called as extrinsic proteins. They can be easily separated
from membrane by denaturation and detergents.
• Transmembrane proteins
Transmembrane proteins span across the membrane
extending from its outer surface to inner surface. They are
intrinsic proteins. They are linked by hydrophobic amino acid
residues to nonpolar region of phospholipids. Transmembrane
proteins serve as receptors for vast variety of drugs. These
proteins also serve as ion channels for the transport of ions,
solutes across the plasma membrane.
© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022
 Functions of Plasma Membrane

• Plasma membrane surrounds and protects cell.

• Plasma membrane permits exchange of substances between cytoplasm and
extracellular compartment.
• Plasma membranes form different types of junctions that help communication
among cells.
• Plasma membrane allows movement of selected molecules to pass through it
(selective permeable), while other molecules cannot pass through membrane.
• Plasma membrane contains receptors for drugs and hormones.
• Plasma membrane of neurons helps in nerve impulse generation and conduction.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

SUMMARY Sandwich Model Unit Membrane Model

Fluid Mosaic Model

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Organelles

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Mitochondria
• Mitochondria are filamentous, self-
replicating, double-walled organelles
located in cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
• Mitochondria are termed as
powerhouse of cell.
• The term mitochondrion is derived
from Greek words mitos which means
thread and chondros which means
granule (owing to appearance of
mitochondria in spermatogenesis).
• Mitochondria are located in cytoplasm
of eukaryotic cells.
• The number of mitochondria in a cell is
dependent on metabolic activity.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Ribosomes (The protein factory of cell)
Ribosomes are highly organized non-membrane-bound organelles
located in cytoplasm that are involved in synthesis of protein.
Ribosomes are microscopic ribonucleoprotein particles either
attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum or lying free in cytoplasm.
• Ribosomes are found in both prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic
cells.
• In prokaryotes, ribosomes occur free in cytoplasm.
• In eukaryotes, ribosomes are attached to RER and occur in free
state in cytoplasm.

•Functions of Ribosomes
• Protein Synthesis
• Synthesis of Enzymes
• Synthesis of Hormones
.
© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022
 Types of Ribosomes

Ribosomes are of two types depending on sedimentation coefficient (represents ability of a

biological particle to sediment (settle) during centrifugation). It is expressed in Svedberg unit (S).
• 70S Ribosomes
– They occur in prokaryotic cells, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.
– Sedimentation coefficient is 70S.
• 80S Ribosomes
– They occur in eukaryotic cells.
– Sedimentation coefficient is 80S

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Golgi Body
• Golgi body is the highly organized complex of
interconnected flattened sacs and vesicles that
function as secretory and intracellular transport
organelle.
• It is also called as Golgi complex or Golgi
apparatus.
• It is involved in the synthesis of
glycoproteins, glycolipids, gangliosides and
secretory proteins (hormones, enzymes,
antibodies) with ER.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endoplasmic reticulum is a network of
interconnected structures that serve as
cytoskeletal of cell.
• Endoplasmic reticulum acts as cytoskeleton. It gives
mechanical support to cell.
• It helps to maintain shape of cell.
• It helps in import and export of substances.
• Endoplasmic reticulum is found in the cytoplasm of
eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotes, ER is absent.
Types
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
It does not contain ribosomes. SER is essential for synthesis
of lipids and steroidal hormones.
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) Cisternae are cylindrical double-walled
structures of ER, located nearer to the nucleus.
It contains ribosomes. Rough ER is essential for synthesis of In cells with high protein synthesis, cisternae
©nuclear
Pınar Siyah,envelope
and proteins.
17 October 2022
contain ribosomes.
 Nucleus
Nucleus is defined as a double membrane-bound
cytoplasmic organelle in eukaryotic cells containing
genetic material for inheritance of information and
regulation of cellular functions.
Nucleus is derived from the Latin word nucleus which
means kernel or seed.
• Generally, nucleus is positioned in the center of cell which
is based on metabolic activity of cell.
• Nucleus is a characteristic feature of eukaryotic cells.
• Nucleus is absent in prokaryotic cells.
• In humans, nucleus is absent in mature erythrocytes. It is
present in erythrocytes in maturation stage.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Nuclear membrane Nucleolus
–– Nuclear membrane is also called as karyotheca. It • It is a round or irregular structure which is attached
separates nucleus from cytoplasm. to nucleolar organizer region of chromosome.
–– It is a double-layered structure. Its outer layer is • Nucleolus is not covered by membrane.
called outer nuclear membrane, • Nucleolus is the main site for synthesis of rRNA.
and inner layer is called inner nuclear membrane.
–– Nuclear pores
Nuclear pores are channel exchange of water-soluble
substances between cytoplasm and nucleus.

Nucleoplasm
• It is a viscous, transparent, and granular fluid that
fills up space inside the nucleus.
• It is a type of protoplasm that is bound by
nuclear membrane.
• It is also called as nuclear sap or karyoplasm.
• Nucleoplasm contains chromatin and nucleolus.
© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022
 Nucleus
Functions of Nucleus
• Nucleus is an essential part of eukaryotic cell that contains
genetic material in the form of DNA.
• DNA in nucleus controls growth, proliferation,
differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis of cells.
• Nucleus regulates cell metabolism by transcription of
mRNA.
• DNA in nucleus is the site of crossing over and variations.
• DNA in nucleus is the site for mutation.
• Nucleus is responsible for speciation.
• Nucleus regulates cell division.
• Nucleolus in cell is the site for synthesis of rRNA.
© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022
 Chromatin

• Chromatin is a DNA-protein complex

(nucleoprotein) that has affinity to basic dyes.
• Chromatin is in the form of highly fine,
coiled filament-like structure present in
nucleoplasm. It is seen during interphase.
During cell division, chromatin appears thick
and ribbon shaped and called as
chromosome. Chromosomes are observed
during cell division (M phase).
• A chromosome is composed of helically
coiled DNA which is coated with histone
protein (nucleoprotein).

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 Types of the Chromatin

–– Euchromatin
Euchromatin is a light-stained diffusely condensed chromatin network. It has a width of about 100 Å.
It forms 95% part of chromatin. Euchromatin is actively involved in transcription.
–– Heterochromatin
Heterochromatin is a dark-stained highly condensed chromatin. It has width of 1000 Å. The DNA in
heterochromatin is inert. Heterochromatin is not involved in transcription of mRNA.

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022

 ASSESSMENT

https://quizlet.com/_c5u7ii

https://quizlet.com/tr/735401610/cell-organelles-flash-cards/

https://quizlet.com/735401610/learn

https://quizlet.com/735401610/test

https://quizlet.com/735401610/match

© Pınar Siyah, 17 October 2022