Chapter 3

CELL AND TISSUES

Cells
The Nucleus
Cells are the structural units of all living
Control center of the cell
things
Contains genetic material known as
The human body has 50 to 100 trillion cells
deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA
DNA is needed for building proteins
DNA is necessary for cell reproduction
Three regions:
Overview of the Cellular Basis of Life 1.Nuclear envelope (membrane)
2.Nucleolus
3.Chromatin
The Cell Theory
1.A cell is the basic structural and functional
unit of living organisms
2.The activity of an organism depends on the
collective activities of its cells
3.According to the principle of
complementarity, the biochemical activities
of cells are dictated by their structure
(anatomy) which determines their function
(physiology)
4.Continuity of life has a cellular basis

Most cells are composed of four

elements:
1.Carbon
2.Hydrogen
The Nucleus
3.Oxygen
Nuclear envelope (membrane)
4.Nitrogen
Consists of a double membrane that
Cells are about 60% water
bounds the nucleus
In general, a cell has three main regions
Contains nuclear pores that allow for
or parts:
exchange of material with the rest of the
1.Nucleus
cell
2.Cytoplasm
Encloses the jellylike fluid called the
3.Plasma membrane
nucleoplasm

Nucleolus
Nucleus contains one or more dark-
staining nucleoli
Sites of ribosome assembly
Ribosomes migrate into the cytoplasm
through nuclear pores to serve as the
site of protein synthesis
The Nucleus 2.Wavy contours of the membranes of
Chromatin adjacent cells fit together in a tongue-
Composed of DNA wound around and-groove fashion
histones (proteins) 3.Special cell membrane junctions are
Scattered throughout the nucleus and formed, which vary structurally depending
present when the cell is not dividing on their roles
Condenses to form dense, rodlike bodies Main types of cell junctions
called chromosomes when the cell Tight junctions
divides Impermeable junctions
Bind cells together into leakproof sheets
Plasma membranes fuse like a zipper to
The Plasma Membrane prevent substances from passing through
Transparent barrier for cell contents extracellular space between cells
Contains cell contents Main types of cell junctions (continued)
Separates cell contents from surrounding Desmosomes
environment Anchoring junctions, like rivets, that
Fluid mosaic model is constructed of: prevent cells from being pulled apart as a
Two layers of phospholipids arranged result of mechanical stress
“tail to tail” Created by buttonlike thickenings of
Cholesterol and proteins scattered adjacent plasma membranes
among the phospholipids Gap junctions (communicating junctions)
Sugar groups may be attached to the Allow communication between cells
phospholipids, forming glycolipids Hollow cylinders of proteins (connexons)
Phospholipid arrangement in the plasma span the width of the abutting
membrane membranes
Hydrophilic (“water loving”) polar Molecules can travel directly from one
“heads” are oriented on the inner and cell to the next through these channels
outer surfaces of the membrane
Hydrophobic (“water fearing”) nonpolar
“tails” form the center (interior) of the
membrane
This interior makes the plasma
membrane relatively impermeable to
most water-soluble molecules
Role of proteins
Responsible for specialized membrane
functions:
Enzymes
Receptors for hormones or other
chemical messengers
Transport as channels or carriers
Role of sugars
Glycoproteins are branched sugars
attached to proteins that abut the
extracellular space
Glycocalyx is the fuzzy, sticky, sugar-rich
area on the cell’s surface
Cell membrane junctions
Cells are bound together in three ways:
1.Glycoproteins in the glycocalyx act
as an adhesive or cellular glue
The Cytoplasm
The cellular material outside the nucleus
and inside the plasma membrane
Site of most cellular activities
Includes cytosol, inclusions, and organelles

Three major component of the cytoplasm

1.Cytosol: Fluid that suspends other
elements and contains nutrients and
electrolytes
2.Inclusions: Chemical substances, such
as stored nutrients or cell products, that
float in the cytosol
3.Organelles: Metabolic machinery of the
cell that perform functions for the cell
Many are membrane-bound,
allowing for compartmentalization of
their functions

The Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
“Powerhouses” of the cell
Mitochondrial wall consists of a double
membrane with cristae on the inner
membrane
Carry out reactions in which oxygen is
used to break down food into ATP
molecules

Ribosomes
Made of protein and ribosomal RNA
Sites of protein synthesis in the cell
Found at two locations:
Free in the cytoplasm
As part of the rough endoplasmic
reticulum
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (continued)
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Studded with ribosomes
Synthesizes proteins
Transport vesicles move proteins
within cell Golgi apparatus
Abundant in cells that make and Appears as a stack of flattened membranes
export proteins associated with tiny vesicles
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Modifies and packages proteins arriving from
Lacks ribosomes the rough ER via transport vesicles
Functions in lipid metabolism Produces different types of packages
Detoxification of drugs and pesticides Secretory vesicles (pathway 1)
In-house proteins and lipids (pathway 2)
Lysosomes (pathway 3)
Lysosomes
Membranous “bags” that contain
digestive enzymes
Enzymes can digest worn-out or
nonusable cell structures
House phagocytes that dispose of
bacteria and cell debris
Peroxisomes
Membranous sacs of oxidase enzymes
Detoxify harmful substances such as
alcohol and formaldehyde
Break down free radicals (highly
reactive chemicals)
Free radicals are converted to
hydrogen peroxide and then to water
Replicate by pinching in half or budding
from the ER
1.Microfilaments
Cytoskeleton (largest)
Network of protein structures that extend 2.Intermediate
throughout the cytoplasm filaments
Provides the cell with an internal 3.Microtubules
framework that determines cell shape, (smallest)
supports organelles, and provides the
machinery for intracellular transport
Three different types of elements form the
cytoskeleton:
The Cytoplasm Cell Diversity
Centrioles Cells that cover and line body organs
Rod-shaped bodies made of nine triplets Epithelial cell
of microtubules Packs together in sheets
Generate microtubules Intermediate fibers resist tearing
Direct the formation of mitotic spindle during rubbing or pulling
during cell division

Cell Extensions
Surface extensions found in some cells
Cilia move materials across the cell
surface
Located in the respiratory system to
move mucus
Flagella propel the cell
The only flagellated cell in the
human body is sperm Cells that move organs and body parts
Microvilli are tiny, fingerlike extensions of Skeletal muscle and smooth muscle cells
the plasma membrane Contractile filaments allow cells to
Increase surface area for absorption shorten forcefully

Cell Diversity
The human body houses over 200 different
cell types
Cells vary in size, shape, and function
Cells vary in length from 1/12,000 of an
inch to over 1 yard (nerve cells) Cell that stores nutrients
Cell shape reflects its specialized Fat cells
function Lipid droplets stored in cytoplasm
Cells that connect body parts
Fibroblast Cell that fights disease
Secretes cable-like fibers White blood cells, such as the
Erythrocyte (red blood cell) macrophage (a phagocytic cell)
Carries oxygen in the bloodstream Digests infectious microorganisms
Cell Diversity
Cell that gathers information and controls
body functions
Nerve cell (neuron)
Receives and transmits messages to
other body structures

Cells of reproduction
Oocyte (female)
Largest cell in the body
Divides to become an embryo upon
fertilization
Sperm (male)
Built for swimming to the egg for
fertilization
Flagellum acts as a motile whip

Cell Physiology

Cells have the ability to:

Metabolize
Digest food
Dispose of wastes
Reproduce
Grow
Move
Respond to a stimulus