Cell Parts and

Functions
Important Vocabulary

 Many cells have a variety of internal structures called organelles

or mini organs.
 Most cells are surrounded by a cell membrane.
 Many cells have a large organelle called the nucleus.
 Cells that contain organelles and a nucleus are called eukaryotic
cells.
 Cells that DO NOT contain organelles and a nucleus are called
prokaryotic cells.
Organelles
Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized
◦ They contain small structures called organelles
◦ Perform specific functions
◦ Isolates reactions from others

Two classes of organelles:

◦ Endomembrane system:
◦ Organelles that communicate with one another
◦ Via membrane channels
◦ Via small vesicles
◦ Energy related organelles
◦ Mitochondria & chloroplasts
◦ Basically independent & self-sufficient

3
Animal Cell Anatomy
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
Plasma membrane:
outer surface that
regulates entrance and
exit of molecules

protein

phospholipid Nucleus: command center of cell

Nuclear envelope: double

Cytoskeleton: maintains membrane with nuclear pores
cell shape and assists movement that encloses nucleus
of cell parts: Chromatin: diffuse threads
containing DNA and protein
Microtubules: protein Nucleolus: region that produces
cylinders that move subunits of ribosomes
organelles
Endoplasmic reticulum:
Intermediate filaments: protein and lipid metabolism
protein fibers that provide Rough ER: studded with
stability of shape ribosomes that synthesize
Actin filaments: protein proteins
fibers that play a role in Smooth ER: lacks
change of shape ribosomes, synthesizes
lipid molecules

Centrioles*: short Peroxisome: vesicle

cylinders of microtubules that is involved in
of unknown function fatty acid metabolism
Centrosome: microtubule Ribosomes:
organizing center that particles that carry
contains a pair of centrioles out protein synthesis
Lysosome*: vesicle that Polyribosome: string of
digests macromolecules
ribosomes simultaneously
and even cell parts synthesizing same protein
Vesicle: small membrane-
bounded sac that stores
and transports substances
Mitochondrion: organelle
Cytoplasm: semifluid that carries out cellular respiration,
matrix outside nucleus producing ATP molecules
that contains organelles
Golgi apparatus: processes, packages,
*not in plant cells and secretes modified proteins

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Plant Cell Anatomy
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Nucleus: command center of cell

Central vacuole*: large, fluid-filled
Nuclear envelope: double membrane with
sac that stores metabolites and
nuclear pores that encloses nucleus
helps maintain turgor pressure
Nucleolus: produces subunits of ribosomes
Chromatin: diffuse threads containing Cell wall of adjacent cell
DNA and protein
Nuclear pore: permits passage of Middle lamella:
proteins into nucleus and ribosomal cements together the
subunits out of nucleus primary cell walls of
Ribosomes: carry adjacent plant cells
out protein synthesis Chloroplast*: carries
Centrosome: out photosynthesis,
microtubule organizing producing sugars
center (lacks centrioles)
Granum*: a stack
Endoplasmic of chlorophyll-containing
reticulum: protein thylakoids
and lipid metabolism in a chloroplast
Rough ER: studded Mitochondrion: organelle
with ribosomes that that carries out cellular
synthesize proteins respiration, producing
ATP molecules
Smooth ER: lacks
ribosomes, synthesizes Microtubules: protein cylinders
lipid molecules that aid movement of organelles
Peroxisome: vesicle that Actin filaments: protein fibers
is involved in fatty acid that play a role in movement of
metabolism cell and organelles

Golgi apparatus: processes,

Plasma membrane: surrounds
packages, and secretes
cytoplasm, and regulates entrance
modified proteins
and exit of molecules
Cytoplasm: semifluid matrix outside Cell wall*: outer surface that shapes,
nucleus that contains organelles supports, and protects cell

*not in animal cells

5
Common
Components
of the Cell
Cell Membrane
 The cell membrane is selectively permeable which
means some substances can cross and others cannot
cross.
 Cell membranes are made of primarily lipids and
proteins.
 Cell membranes are made of a lipid bi-layer.
 A cell membrane is called a fluid mosaic because it
behaves more like a liquid than a solid.
 It is flexible and provides an effective barrier and
transport function.
DRAW
THIS!
Phospholipid
Makes up the cell membrane – 2 layers bilayer
Phosphate Head – hydrophilic – water loving
Fatty acid Tail – hydrophobic – water fearing
Makes the membrane “Selective” in what
crosses
 Semipermeable Membrane

Small molecules and Hydrophobic molecules flow easily through.

Examples: Oxygen, Carbon dioxide and Water
Semipermeable Membrane

Ions, hydrophilic molecules larger than water, and large molecules such as
proteins do not move through the membrane on their own.
cytoplasm and its
organelles
The plasma membrane encloses a mass of
jellylike material called cytoplasm. The
cytoplasm is a colorless or somewhat grayish,
translucent, viscous substance that is capable of
flowing.

Various organelles, also called little

organs, are also present in the protoplasm. Some
of them are visible under the light microscope;
others are not.
ribosomes Protein factories of the cell

All throughout the cytoplasm

tiny dotlike
are called ribosomes.
structures
These organelles are composed of nucleic
acids (RNA) and proteins. They are numerous
in cells that manufacture great amounts of
protein. The synthesis of proteins occurs in
ribosomes.

ribosomes
Membrane
Bound
Organelles
Nucleus Control center of the cell

It contains the genetic material

DNA, which determines the
characteristics of a cell and directs
the production of proteins. The DNA
molecules in the nucleus are found
in nucleoplasm or in a definite
structure called chromosomes.
Anatomy of the Nucleus
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

nuclear
envelope

nucleolus

Nuclear envelope: nuclear

inner membrane pore
outer membrane chromatin
nucleoplasm
nuclear pore

phospholipid

(Bottom): Courtesy Ron Milligan/Scripps Research Institute; (Top right): Courtesy E.G. Pollock
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Nucleolus

 The nucleolus is
found inside the
nucleus.
 It is responsible for
making the
ribosomes.
 There is usually only
one.
Nuclear
Envelope
A double membrane
surrounding the nucleus.
This membrane provides a
barrier between the nucleus
and the cytosol.
chromosomes

The chromosomes are originally

chromatin materials that contain the
hereditary information of the cell. When the
cell reproduces or divides, the chromatin
becomes visible as shortened chromosome
strands.
Endoplasmic reticulum

Manufacturer and shipper of the cell

Ribosomes are often attached to

long strands of membrane called
endoplasmic reticulum which forms a
network of tiny through the cell.
canals canals are formed by two parallel
These
membranes. They connect the nuclear
membrane and membrane, thus
plasma as passageway for food substances.
serving
Types of Endoplasmic reticulum
Manufacturer and shipper of the
cell

Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum, the outer
Smooth Endoplasmic surfaces of the
Reticulum have no membranes are lined
ribosomes. The smooth with ribosomes,
ER functions in the resulting granular
synthesis of lipids, drug appearance. The rough
detoxification, and ER bears ribosomes that
attachment of receptors aid in protein synthesis.
on the cell membrane
proteins
Endomembrane System:
The Endoplasmic Reticulum

A system of membrane channels and saccules (flattened vesicles) continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear
envelope
Rough ER
◦ Studded with ribosomes on cytoplasmic side
◦ Protein anabolism
◦ Synthesizes proteins
◦ Modifies and processes proteins
◦ Adds sugar to protein
◦ Results in glycoproteins

Smooth ER
◦ No ribosomes
◦ Synthesis of lipids (steroid)
◦ Site of various synthetic processes, detoxification, and storage
◦ Forms transport vesicles

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Golgi bodies
Packaging counters of the cell

In 1898, an Italian scientist, Camillo

Golgi (1843-1926), observed a series of
vesicles in the nerve cells of an owl. These
vesicles were named Golgi bodies, after him.
Endomembrane System:
The Golgi Apparatus
Golgi Apparatus
◦ Consists of 3-20 flattened, curved saccules
◦ Resembles stack of hollow pancakes
◦ Modifies proteins and lipids
◦ Receives vesicles from ER on cis (or inner face)
◦ Packages them in vesicles
◦ Prepares for “shipment” in v Packages them in vesicles from trans (or outer face)
◦ Within cell
◦ Export from cell (secretion, exocytosis)

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 Golgi bodies
Golgi bodies (Golgi Packaging counters of the cell
complex/Golgi apparatus) are
associated with many functions.
They are also believed, to modify,
process, and package
macromolecules such as proteins
for secretion after they are released
from the ER. During the process,
certain proteins are surrounded by
pieces of the membrane that
detach from the Golgi body. These
pieces form tiny, membrane- bond
spheres called vesicles.
The vesicles carry the
protein to the plasma membrane.
Each vesicle
then joins with the
plasma membrane and pours
its contents out of the cell.
Endomembrane System:
Lysosomes

Membrane-bound vesicles (not in plants)

◦ Produced by the Golgi apparatus
◦ Contain powerful digestive enzymes and are highly acidic
◦ Digestion of large molecules
◦ Recycling of cellular resources
◦ Apoptosis (programmed cell death, like tadpole losing tail)

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Lysosomes Suicide bags of the cell

Lyso means dissolving power, and

some means body. Lysosomes were
discovered only in 1952. It is also called as
suicidal bags as it helps in cell renewal and
break down old cell parts. The lysosome also
makes possible the destruction of
microorganisms such as bacteria such as
bacteria and othr harmful foreign
bodies taken in by the cell through its
membrane.
Lysosomes

 Lysosomes contain enzymes

that help digest proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, DNA
and RNA.
 These enzymes can also
digest old organelles,
viruses and bacteria.
 Lysosomes are rare in plant
cells.
Peroxisomes

Like lysosomes, these

contain enzymes used in a
variety of reactions, including
oxidation reactions. In plant
seeds, peroxisomes convert
stored fatty acids to
carbohydrates, providing
energy for germination. In
plant leaves, they are
involved in photorespiration.
vacuoles Tanks of the cell

Vacuoles are fluid-filled cavities

surrounded by membrane regulates the
molecular traffic between the vacuole and
the cell substances.

Vacuoles in plant cells store large

amounts of water.
Vacuoles
Membranous sacs that are larger than vesicles
◦ Store materials that occur in excess
◦ Others very specialized (contractile vacuole)

Plants cells typically have a central vacuole

◦ Up to 90% volume of some cells
◦ Functions in:
◦ Storage of water, nutrients, pigments, and waste products
◦ Development of turgor pressure
◦ Some functions performed by lysosomes in other eukaryotes

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Energy
Transforming
Organelles
Mitochondria
POWER HOUSE OF THE CELL

Mitochondria (sing., mitochondrion)

are rod-shaped bodies in the cytoplasm.
They vary in number and shape. They are
centers of cellular respiration, a process in
which energy-rich adenosine triphosphate, a
compound in cells that functions in energy
storage and transfer is produced.
Interesting Fact ---
Mitochondria Come from cytoplasm
in the EGG cell during fertilization
Therefore …
You inherit your mitochondria from
your mother!

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chloroplasts

Chloroplasts are the chromoplasts

containing the green coloring pigment called
chlorophyll which is essential in
photosynthesis.
Energy-Related Organelles:
Chloroplast Structure

Bounded by double membrane

Inner membrane infolded
◦ Forms disc-like thylakoids, which are stacked to form grana

◦ Suspended in semi-fluid stroma

Green due to chlorophyll

◦ Green photosynthetic pigment

◦ Found ONLY in inner membranes of chloroplast

38
Chloroplast Structure
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

a. 500 nm

outer thylakoid
membrane grana space stroma thylakoid membrane
double inner
membrane membrane

b.

a: Courtesy Herbert W. Israel, Cornell University

39
centrioles
Helpers In cell division
A centrosome is a mass of dense in
protoplasm with structures called centrioles
at the center. The centrioles, as a part of
the cytoplasm, duplicate and form at the
center for spindle fiber formation during cell
division.
Centrioles
Short, hollow cylinders
◦ Composed of 27 microtubules
◦ Microtubules arranged into 9 overlapping triplets

One pair per animal cell

◦ Located in centrosome of animal cells
◦ Oriented at right angles to each other
◦ Separate during mitosis to determine plane of division

May give rise to basal bodies of cilia and flagella

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cytoskeleton Framework of the cell

A cytoskeleton supports the internal

system of a cell and also gives the cell its
shape. It consists a microtubules– provide
pathway for cellular molecules to move
about.
Maintains cell shape

Assists in movement of cell and organelles

Three types of macromolecular fibers

◦ Actin Filaments

◦ Intermediate Filaments

◦ Microtubules

Assemble and disassemble as needed

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Organelles peculiar to plant
cells
Cell wall

The cells of plants, fungi, and some

single-celled organisms are protected and
supported by a rigid cell wall, which lies
outside the plasma membrane and is
composed mainly of cellulose.
The cell wall surrounds the plasma
membrane of plant cells and provides
tensile strength
and protection against mechanical
and osmotic stress. It also allows
cells to develop turgor pressure,
which is the pressure of the cell
contents against the cell wall.