Introducing the cell

are poised to break down the material into

Join us as we explore the building block of life.
The cell is the smallest unit of life. Some
simple organisms consist of just one cell,
whereas more complex beasts, like us, have
vast numbers of them. Humans are among
the organisms built up from eukaryotic
cells, which have their DNA parcelled
up in a nucleus, and lots of subcellular
compartments, called organelles. Prokaryotic
organisms (such as bacteria) are simpler:
cells still with DNA, but having no nucleus
or membrane-bound structures. The vast
majority of these are unicellular, while most
eukaryotic organisms are multicellular.
The intricately organised insides of
eukaryotic cells allow them to have different
things happening in different compartments.
Keeping a cell going depends on getting
the right molecules to the right place at the
right time. Having distinct spaces does half
the job, but it also requires sophisticated
machinery to ensure the right things get
into each section. Only material the cell has
finished with, for example, can be allowed
into a lysosome, where powerful enzymes
smaller molecules.
Cell theory was put forward in the
1830s, soon after the cell nucleus was first
identified in eukaryotes. It recognised that
living things are made of cells, that cells
are the basic units of life, and that new
cells are created by old ones dividing into
two. Viruses – simple entities of genes and
protein – need to get into a cell and hijack its
cytoplasmic machinery to copy themselves.
We describe these as acellular, and they are
not considered to be living.
In this issue, we’ll be focusing on animal
cells – how they reproduce, grow, move,
communicate and die. So join us to explore
what we know – as well as what we still don’t
understand – about the cells that are the
basis of all of us.

microtubules – small, tubular assemblies of lysosomes – membrane-bound

protein, made from repeating tubulin subunits, organelles that are the cell’s rubbish
which help maintain the cell’s internal structure disposal and recycling units; contain
and move organelles and cytoplasm using hydrolytic enzymes extracellular matrix – the
molecular motors. Part of the cytoskeleton material in between cells that
vacuoles – internal bags, holds tissues together, usually
surrounded by a membrane, made of scaffolding proteins
which cells use for storage such as collagen
of food or waste

nucleus – the information centre

microfilaments – smaller
of the eukaryotic cell, where the
than microtubules, these are
DNA is stored, replicated and
made from repeating actin
copied into RNA (transcribed)
subunits. Responsible for
cell movement and changes
in shape, and make muscle nuclear envelope –
contraction possible. Part of double membrane that
the cytoskeleton separates the contents
of the nucleus from the
cytoplasm
centrioles – a pair of
organelles that organises
microtubules into spindles
on which chromosomes nuclear pores – gaps
are separated when in the nuclear envelope
cells divide that allow substances
to move in and out of
the nucleus
Golgi apparatus –
one of the wondrously
complex membrane
systems in the cytoplasm, nucleolus – part of the
which modifies, packages nucleus that produces
and directs newly made ribosomes
proteins to where they
are needed

endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) – an extensive network
cytoplasm – everything in
of membranes. Rough ER is
the cell outside the nucleus;
studded with ribosomes and
a viscous fluid containing
is a site where proteins are
proteins, other organic
made, modified and processed
and inorganic molecules,
for shipping. The roles of
membranes and organelles
smooth ER include lipid and
steroid synthesis and drug
detoxification

mitochondria (singular: ribosomes – molecular machines,

mitochondrion) – rod-shaped
bodies in the cytoplasm that
supply chemical energy to the
rest of the cell
plasma membrane – a phospholipid
bilayer that contains cholesterol
and proteins. It surrounds the cell and
enables it to communicate with its
neighbours and detect and respond
to changes in the environment
built from RNA and protein, that
make new proteins. They are found
in the cytoplasm and bound to the
rough endoplasmic reticulum

JANUARY 2011 • 3