Cell structure

Cell surface membrane

- The cell surface membrane is extremely thin (about
7 nm). The membrane is partially permeable and controls
the exchange between the cell and its environment.

Microvilli
- microvilli (singular: microvillus): small, finger-like
extensions of a cell which increase the surface
area of the cell for more efficient absorption
or secretion

Nuclear envelope
- the two membranes, situated
close together, that surround the nucleus;
the envelope is perforated with nuclear pores

Nuclear pores
- pores found in the nuclear envelope
which control the exchange of materials, e.g.
mRNA, between the nucleus and the cytoplasm

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

-a network of flattened sacs running through the cytoplasm of
eukaryotic cells; molecules, particularly proteins,
can be transported through the cell inside the
sacs separate from the rest of the cytoplasm; ER
is continuous with the outer membrane of the
nuclear envelope.
- ER membranes form cisternae

Ribosome
- a tiny organelle found in large numbers in all cells; prokaryotic ribosomes are
about 20 nm in diameter while eukaryotic ribosomes are about 25 nm in
diameter
- not visible under a light microscope
- eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S
- prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S
- made of rRNA and protein
- allows all molecules involved in protein synthesis to grather tgt(mRNA, rRNA,
amino acids and regulatory proteins)

Golgi apparatus (Golgi body, Golgi complex)

- an organelle found in eukaryotic cells; the Golgi apparatus consists of a stack of
flattened sacs, constantly forming at one end and breaking up into Golgi vesicles
at the other end

Golgi vesicles
- carry their contents to other parts of the cell, often to the cell surface
membrane for secretion; the Golgi apparatus chemically modifies the molecules
it transports, e.g. sugars may be added to proteins to make glycoproteins

control of the genetical information of the cell and thus the heredity
characteristics of an organism,
control of the protein and enzyme synthesis.
control of cell division and cell growth.
storage of DNA, RNA and ribosome.
regulation of the transcription of the mRNA to protein.
production of ribosomes.