Cell Physiology

Cell:
 Basic living unit of structure & function of the
body.
 > 100 trillion cells in body.
 Very small (10-5 m in diameter).
 Highly organized.
 Variety of shapes & sizes.
 Each type of cells has a special function.
Cell (continued)

 All Cells share certain characteristics:

 General cell structure & components.
 General mechanisms for changing nutrients to Energy.
 Deliver end products into their surrounding fluid.
 Almost all have the ability to reproduce.
General Cell structure:
 3 principal parts:
 Plasma (cell) membrane.
 Cytoplasm & organelles.
 Nucleus.

 The cell has two major compartments: the nucleus & the cytoplasm.
The cytoplasm contains the major cell organelles & a fluid called cytosol.
 General Cell Structure & Function
Function Structure Component
Surrounds, holds cell together & gives its Membrane composed of double Plasma (cell)
form; controls passage of materials into & layer of phospholipids in which
membrane
out of cell proteins are embedded
Serves as matrix substance in which Fluid, jellylike substance b/w cell Cytoplasm
chemical reactions occur. membrane & nucleus in which
organelles are suspended

Nucleus:
Supports nucleus & controls passage of Double-layered membrane that - Nuclear
materials b/w nucleus & cytoplasm surrounds nucleus, composed of
protein & lipid molecules envelope

Produces ribosomal RNA for ribosomes Dense nonmembranous mass - Nucleolus

composed of protein & RNA
molecules
Contains genetic code that determines which Fibrous strands composed of protein - Chromatin
proteins (including enzymes) will be & DNA
manufactured by the cell
Plasma (cell) membrane
Plasma membrane:
 Surrounds, holds cell together & gives its form.
 75 to 111 Å thickness.
 Not solid.
 Separates cell’s internal structures from extracellular
environment.
 Is selectively permeable, & controls passage of
materials into & out of cell.
 Participates in intracellular communication.
Plasma (Cell) Membrane
 Composed of:
 Double layer of phospholipids (hydrophobic/
hydrophilic parts).
 Proteins span, or partially span the membrane.
 Negatively charged carbohydrates attach to the outer
surface.
Plasma Membrane (continued)
General composition of cell membrane
 Proteins ……………………. 55%
 Lipids ……………………….. 41%
- Phospholipids … 25%
- Cholesterol ……. 12% Lipids
- Glycolipids …….. 4%
 Carbohydrates …………… 3%
Cell membrane phospholipids
 Consists of:
a. Glycerol head that contains phosphate group
(polar & hydrophilic).

b. 2 fatty acid ‘tails’ (nonpolar & hydrophobic).

 The hydrophobic parts restricts the passage of H20

& H20- soluble ions.
Cell membrane proteins
1. Integral proteins: / Internal or intrinsic proteins
- span the membrane.
- transport proteins.
- provide structural channels or pores.
2. Peripheral proteins: / external or extrinsic proteins
- embedded in one side (face) of the membrane.
- carrier proteins.
- bind with substances to be transported.
- include hormone receptors & cell surface antigens.
General functions of cell membrane
proteins
1. Provide structural support.
2. Transport molecules across the membrane.
3. Enzymatic control of chemical reactions at cellular
surface.
4. Some function as receptors for hormones.
5. Some function as regulatory molecules, that arrive
at outer surface of the membrane.
6. Some act as antigens and induce the process of
antibody formation.
Cell membrane carbohydrates

 Primarily attached to the outer surface of the

membrane as:
- Glycoproteins … (most of it).
- Glycolipids …… (1/10).
General functions of cell membrane
carbohydrates
1. Attach cells to each other.
2. Act as receptor substances.
3. Some enter in immune reactions.
4. Give most of cells overall –ve surface charge,
which affects the interaction of regulatory
molecules with the membrane.
Cytoplasm & Organelles
Cytoplasm, Organelles, Nucleoli (continued)
Cytoplasm
 The aqueous content of a cell (fluid, jellylike
substance), that lies b/w cell membrane & nucleus
in which organelles are suspended.
 Serves as matrix substance in which chemical
reactions occur.
 ‘cytosol’ is the term used to describe fluid portion of
the cytoplasm.
Organelles (excluding nucleus)

 Subcellular structures within the cytoplasm that

perform specific functions.

 Generalized view of a mammalian cell showing organelles common to all cells (such as the Golgi
complex) as well as specialized structures (e.g., cilia) found only in some cells.
Cytoplasmic Organelles: Structure & Function
Function Structure Component

Agranular (smooth) ER metabolizes nonpolar System of interconnected Endoplasmic

compounds & stores Ca2+ in striated muscle cells; membrane-forming canals reticulum
granular (rough) ER assists in protein sysnthesis & tubules

Synthesize proteins Granular particles Ribosomes

composed of protein &
RNA
Synthesizes carbohydrates & packages molecules Cluster of flattened Golgi complex
for secretion. Secretes lipids & glycoproteins membranous sacs
Release energy from food molecules & transform Membranous sacs w Mitochondria
energy into usable ATP folded inner partitions

Digest foreign molecules & damaged organelles Membranous sacs Lysosomes

 An illustration of the processing of proteins by the granular endoplasmic
reticulum & Golgi complex. Notice the formation of vesicles at the ends of
some of the flattened sacs of the Golgi complex.
 The endoplasmic reticulum. Agranular ER has ribosomes
attached to its surface, whereas granular ER lacks ribosomes.
 A model structure of a ribosome. It is composed of two subunits: smaller
(lighter) & larger (darker) subunits. The space between the two subunits
accommodates a molecule of transfer RNA, needed to bring amino acids to
the growing polypeptide chain.
 The structure of a mitochondria. The outer mitochondrial
membrane & the infoldings of the inner membrane. The fluid in
the center is the matrix.
Cytoplasmic Organelles: Structure & Function (continued)

Function Structure Component

Contain enzymes that detoxify harmful molecules & Spherical membranous Peroxisomes
break down hydrogen peroxide vesicles

Helps to organize spindle fibers & distribute Nonmembranous mass of Centrosome

chromosomes during mitosis 2 rodlike centrioles

Store & release various substances within the Membranous sacs Vacuoles
cytoplasm

Support cytoplasm & function as cytoskeleton, Thin, hollow tubes Microfilaments

transport materials within the cytoplasm & microtubules
Move particles along cell surface, or move the cell Minute cytoplasmic Cilia & flagella
projections that extend
from the cell surface
 The formation of the cytoskeleton by microtubules.
Microtubules are also important in the motility (movement)
of the cell, & movement of materials within the cell.
Nucleus
Cell Nucleus
 Is a large spheroid body.
 Largest of organelles.
 Contains the genetic material (DNA).
 Most cells have a single nucleus.
 Enclosed by inner & outer membrane (nuclear
envelope).
 Outer membrane is continuous with ER.
 Nuclear pore complexes fuse inner & outer
membranes together.
 Selective active transport of proteins & RNA.
Cell Nucleus
 (a) The cell nucleus is enclosed in a double membrane called the nuclear envelope. Pores in the envelope permit the passage of
molecules in & out of the nucleus. The outer layer of the nuclear envelope is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum, so that the
lumen of the ER is continuous with the perinuclear space. In the nondividing nucleus, DNA is visible as chromatin. The nucleolus
plays a role in the synthesis of ribosomes from RNA. (b) A nuclear pore is formed from the fusion of the two layers of the nuclear
envelope. Proteins are thought to be located in the pores.
Cell Nucleus (continued)

 Nucleoli:
 Dark areas within the nucleus, not surrounded by
membrane.
 Centers for production of ribosomes.

 Chromatin:
 Threadlike material that makes up chromosomes.
Intercellular Junctions
Neighboring cells in tissues, organs, or organ systems
often adhere, interact, and communicate through
direct physical contact
Intercellular junctions facilitate this contact
There are several types of intercellular junctions
Tight junctions.1
Desmosomes.2
Gap junctions .3
 Tight Junctions, Desmosomes, and
Gap Junctions
At tight junctions, membranes of neighboring cells are-
pressed together, preventing leakage of extracellular
fluid
Desmosomes (anchoring junctions) fasten cells together-
into strong sheets
Gap junctions (communicating junctions) provide-
cytoplasmic channels between adjacent cells
 Tight junction
Tight junctions prevent
fluid from moving
across a layer of cells

µm 0.5

Tight junction

Intermediate
filaments

Desmosome

Gap Desmosome
µm 1
junctions

Extracellular
Space matrix
between Gap junction
cells
Plasma membranes
of adjacent cells
µm 0.1