BIOCHEMISTRY o Cells differ widely in shape.

o Most cells are roughly cuboidal or

INTRO TO BIOCHEMISTRY spherical.
BIG Nucleus – DNA which directs the activity of
the cell.
Biology Organelle – a cell component that performs
Biochemistry
specific functions in the cell.

Chemistry Eukaryotes – cell that contain a nucleus and

membrane-bound organelles.
Physics
Prokaryotes – cells that lack nuclei and
SMALL
membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, protists)
Biochemistry – is the study of the chemical and Prokaryotes (bacteria) differ greatly in
processes and substances that occur with structure.
living organisms.
The Parts of Cell
o “Bio” refers to living organisms and
life processes, while “chem” or
chemistry is the study of the
composition, properties and reactions
of substances.

CELL STRUCTURE AND ITS

FUNCTIONS
Robert Hooke (1665) – observed cork
(dead plant cells) under the microscope.
Cell Theory
o Matthias Scheilden (1838) –
concluded that all plants are
composed of cells.
o Theodor Schwann (1839) –
concluded that all animals are Most Eukaryotic Cell have 3 main
composed of cells. components:
o Rudolph Virchow (1855) –
determined that cells come only from o Cell Membrane
other cells. o Cytoskeleton
o Nucleus
Cell Diversity (Shape)
Structure and Function of Organelles
Cell Membrane
o Structure: phospholipid bilayer with
proteins that function as channels,
markers, and receptors. Also contains
cholesterol which provides rigidity.
o Function: selectively permeable
boundary between cell and the
external environment.
Nucleus
o Structure: is a sphere that contains
another sphere called nucleolus.
o Function: storage center of cell’s
DNA and manages cell functions.
Cell Wall
o Structure: rigid wall made up of
cellulose, proteins, and
carbohydrates.
o Function: boundary around the plant
cell outside of the cell membrane
that provide structure and support.
Cytoplasm
o Structure: gelatin-like fluid that lies
inside the cell membrane.
o Function: contains salts, minerals,
and organic molecules. Also
surround the organelles.
Cytoskeleton
o Structure: a network of thin fibrous
elements made of microtubules
(hollow tubes) and microfilaments
(threads made out of actin).
o Function: acts as a support system
for organelles and maintains the cell
shape.
Ribosomes
o Structure: consists of two subunits
made of protein and RNA.
o Function: location of protein
synthesis.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
o Structure: a system of membranous
tubules and sacs.
o Function: intercellular highway (a
path along molecules moves from
one part of the cell to another).
o Two types: Rough ER and Smooth
ER
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
o Prominent in cells that make large
amounts of proteins to be exported
from the cell or inserted into the cell
membrane.
o Covered with ribosomes.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
o Involved in the synthesis of lipids
and breakdown of toxic substances.
o Not covered with ribosomes.
Golgi Apparatus
o Structure: stacked flat sacs.
o Function: receives proteins from the
rER and distributes them to other
organelles or out of the cell.
o Receiving, processing, packaging,
and shipping.
Mitochondria
o Structure: folded membrane within
an outer membrane. The fold of the
inner membrane is called cristae.
o Function: converts energy stores in
food into usable energy for work.
Cellular Respiration.
o Powerhouse of the cell.
Lysosomes
o Structure: spherical organelles that
contain hydrolytic enzymes within
single membranes.
o Functions: breaks down food
particles, invading objects, or worn-
out cell parts.
Perixosomes
o Structure: spherical organelles that
contain enzymes within single
membranes.
o Function: Degrade hydrogen
peroxide, a toxic compound that can
be produced during metabolism.
Cilia and Flagella
o Structure: hair-like organelles that
extend from the surface of cells.
When they are present in large
numbers on a cell, they are called
cilia. When they are less numerous
and longer, they are called flagella.
o Both organelles are composed of
nine pairs of microtubules arranged
around a central pair.
o Function: Cell motility.
Basal Bodies
o The microtubule assembly of a
cilium or flagellum is anchored in
the cell by a basal body.
o Structurally identical to a centriole.
Centrioles
o Structure: composed of nine sets of
triplet microtubules arranged in a
ring. Exist in pairs.
o Function: centrioles play a major role
in cell division (mitosis).
Vacuoles
o Structure: a sac of fluid surrounded
by a membrane. Very large in plants.
o Function: used for temporary storage
of wastes, nutrients and water.
Plastids
o 3 types of plastids in plant cells:
1. Chloroplasts
2. Chromoplasts: synthesize and
store pigments
3. Leucoplasts: store food such
as starches, proteins, and
lipids
Chloroplasts
o Structure: stacked sacs (thylakoids)
that contains chlorophyll surrounded
by a double membrane.
o Function: photosynthesis
(conversion of light energy to
chemical energy stored in the bonds
of glucose)
NATURE OF CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates – used as a source of energy
in all organisms and as a structural material
in membranes, cell walls, and the
exoskeleton of many arthropods.
o All carbohydrates contain the
elements C, H, and O, with thr
hydrogen and oxygen being present
in a 2:1 ratio.
o General Formula: Cx(H2O)y
o Monosaccharides – simple sugars
with multiple OH groups.
o Disaccharides – 2 monosaccharides
covalently linked.
o Oligosaccharides – few
monosaccharides covalently linked.
Classifications of Carbohydrates
 Structural Formulas
o Expanded Structural Formula –
formula that shows all atoms in a
molecule and all bonds connecting
the atoms.
o Condensed Structural Formula –
formula that uses groupings of atoms
to convey molecular structural
information.

ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS:
ALKANES, ALKENES, ALKYNES

Organic Chemistry – the study of

hydrocarbons (compounds of carbon and
hydrogen) and their derivatives. Nearly all
compounds found in living organisms are
still classified as organic compounds.
Inorganic Chemistry – the study of all
substances other than hydrocarbons and their
derivatives.

Bonding characteristics of the carbon atom

Alkanes
o Saturated hydrocarbon in which the
carbon atom arrangement is acyclic.
o Contains only carbon-carbon single
bonds (saturated) and has no rings of
carbon atoms (acyclic).