BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE CELL

 A cell is the basic structural and functional unit Nuclear Double membrane
of living organisms. So, when you define cell Envelope/nuclear barrier.
properties, you are in fact defining the Membrane
properties of life.
 The activity of an organism depends on the Nucleoplasm Jelly like fluid of the
collective activities of its cells. nucleus in which nuclear
 According to the principle of complementarity,
elements are suspended
the activities of cells are dictated by their
Nucleolus Site where ribosomes are
structure (anatomy), which determines
assembled.
function (physiology).
 Continuity of life has a cellular basis.
The Cell Chromatin Scattered throughout the
nucleus (when cell is not
dividing).

Chromosomes Dense rod-like bodies

(when cell is dividing).

Plasma Membrane

Nucleus

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 Biochemistry of the Cell
Cytoplasm
3 Major Components of Cytoplasm
1. Cytosol - semitransparent fluid
suspends the other elements.
2. Inclusions - stored nutrients or cell products
floating in the cytosol.
- also known as Cellular Pantry
3. Organelles - “little organs” are specialized
cellular compartments that are metabolic
machinery of the cell.
Organelles Structure Functions
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
that
Cell Physiology
 All cells exhibit irritability (the ability to
respond to stimuli), digest foods, excrete
wastes, and are able to reproduce, grow,
move, and metabolize
Cell Physiology: Membrane Transport
A.) Passive processes: Diffusion and
Filtration
 Diffusion - is the movement of a substance
from an area of its higher concentration to
an area of its lower concentration. It occurs
because of kinetic energy of the molecules
themselves; no ATP is required. The
diffusion of dissolved solutes through the
plasma membrane is simple diffusion. The
diffusion of water across the plasma
membrane is osmosis. Diffusion that
requires a protein channel or carrier is
facilitated diffusion.
 Filtration - is the movement of substances
through a membrane from an area of high
hydrostatic pressure to an area of lower
fluid pressure. In the body, the driving force
of filtration is blood pressure.
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 Biochemistry of the Cell

B.) Active processes (active transport and

vesicular transport) use energy (ATP)
provided by the cell.
 In active transport, substances are moved
across the membrane against an electrical
or a concentration gradient by proteins
called solute pumps. This accounts for the
transport of amino acids, some sugars, and
most ions.
 The two types of ATP activated vesicular
transport are exocytosis and endocytosis.
Exocytosis moves secretions and other
substances out of cells; a membrane
bounded vesicle fuses with the plasma
membrane, ruptures, and ejects its
contents to the cell exterior. Endocytosis, in
which particles are taken up by enclosure in
a plasma membrane sac, includes
phagocytosis (uptake of solid particles),
pinocytosis (uptake of fluids), and the
highly selective receptor mediated
endocytosis. In the latter, membrane
receptors bind with and internalize only
selected target molecules.

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