Basic cell structures

Nucleus, Nucleoid, and Plasmids

By Rashed Nessar
• The cell is a complex structure that undergoes many complex
processes.
• The DNA and Nucleic acids are at the centre of almost all of these
processes and control the majority of the processes and functions of
the cell.
• Structures such as the Nucleus, Nucleoid, and Plasmids are directly
related to the roles that DNA plays in the function of the cell.

By Rashed Nessar
• In order to understand the features of these structures we first need to
understand some key differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
cells.
Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells

By Rashed Nessar
• Important points that relate to the current topic:

Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells

By Rashed Nessar
By Rashed Nessar
The Nucleus of the cell
• Only found in Eukaryotic cells.
• Contains and protects the cell’s genetic material
• Controls growth, protein synthesis and reproduction
• It is a membrane bound structure.
• One of the most prominent organelles of the cell
(occupying 10% of the cell’s volume)
• It is considered as the “command centre” of the
eukaryotic cell.

By Rashed Nessar
The Nucleus of the cell

• Surrounded by a “Nuclear envelope”

• A double membrane formed by a phospholipid
bilayer
• Includes “Nuclear pores”: Complexes that allow for
transfers between cytoplasm and “Nucleoplasm”.
• Helps to maintain the shape of the nucleus.
• Has a continuous connection with the lumen of
the “Endoplasmic reticulum”

By Rashed Nessar
The Nucleus of the cell Nucleoplasm

• Filled with “Nucleoplasm”

• A gelatinous substance similar to cytoplasm
composed of mainly water, dissolved salts,
enzymes, and organic molecules.
• AKA Karyoplasm
• Protects the content of the nucleus.
• Helps the Nucleus hold its shape.
• Provides a medium for material to travel through
(e.g. enzymes and nucleotides)

By Rashed Nessar
The Nucleus of the cell

• Contains the “Nucleolus”

• A dense sub-nuclear structure not bound by a
membrane.
• Manufacture the subunits required to make
ribosomes.
• Occupies 25% of the volume of the
nucleolus.
• One cell can have multiple nucleoli.

By Rashed Nessar
The Nucleoid region
• Area of the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells that
contains most of the cell’s genetic material
(called genophore)
• Not surrounded by a membrane
• Attached to the cell membrane.
• No uniform shape or specific size.
• Controls the activity and reproduction
of the cell.
• Contains DNA, RNA, and associated proteins.

By Rashed Nessar
Plasmids
• A small, circular, extra-chromosomal (distinct
from the cell’s chromosomal DNA), DNA
molecule.
• Found naturally in bacteria but also occur in
some eukaryotic cells too.
• The genes carried by plasmids provide certain
genetic advantages. (e.g. antibiotic resistance)
• These advantages may or may not be used only in
certain situations or conditions.

By Rashed Nessar
Plasmids
• Plasmids are replicated when the cell divides,
they can also replicate autonomously (useful for
genetic modification), and they can be
transferred from one cell to another
(conjugation).
• Plasmids used experimentally are called vectors
because they can “carry” modified instructions.

By Rashed Nessar
Work cited
Lakna. “Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic DNA: Definition, Structure, Features.” Pediaa.Com, 25 Apr. 2017,
https://pediaa.com/difference-between-prokaryotic-and-eukaryotic-dna/.
Goyal, Shikha. “What Is the Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells.” Jagranjosh.com, 13 Apr. 2018,
https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/what-is-the-difference-between-prokaryotic-and-eukaryotic-cells-1523518350-1.
Alphonse, Marlene. “Cell Nucleus.” BiologyWise, BiologyWise, https://biologywise.com/cell-nucleus.
"File:Blausen 0212 CellNucleus.png." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 15 Apr 2019, 13:31 UTC. 6 Nov 2019, 19:59
<https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Blausen_0212_CellNucleus.png&oldid=346039948>.
Bailey, Regina. "The Cell Nucleus." ThoughtCo, Nov. 6, 2019, thoughtco.com/the-cell-nucleus-373362.
Molecular Expressions Cell Biology: The Cell Nucleus, https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/nucleus/nucleus.html#:~:targetText=This
organelle has two major,as eukaryotes, have a nucleus.
Molecular Expressions Cell Biology: The Nucleolus, https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/nucleus/nucleolus.html.
Bailey, Regina. "What Are Prokaryotic Cells? Structure, Function, and Definition." ThoughtCo, Oct. 30, 2019,
thoughtco.com/prokaryotes-meaning-373369.
Learning, Lumen. “Biology for Majors II.” Lumen, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/the-prokaryotic-cell/.
“Bacterial DNA – the Role of Plasmids.” Science Learning Hub, https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1900-bacterial-dna-the-
role-of-plasmids.
Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/plasmid-plasmids-28/#:~:targetText=A plasmid is a
small,advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.
Biologydictionary.net Editors. “Nucleoid” Biologydictionary.net. Web. 47 Nov. 2019.
"File:Plasmid (english).svg." Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository. 29 Oct 2019, 12:53 UTC. 6 Nov 2019, 21:05
<https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Plasmid_(english).svg&oldid=372434795>.
By Rashed Nessar