Cellular Level of Organization

Cells
There are approximately 200 different types of cells
that make up the basic structures of the human body.
Cell division creates new cells. A “parent” cell
divides into two new “daughter” cells.
Different types of cells carry out different functions in
the body.
Parts of a Cell
Plasma membrane
Cytoplasm
Cytosol
Organelles
Nucleus
Chromosomes
Genes
3 main parts of a cell
Plasma membrane – the cells flexible outer surface.
Cytoplasm – all the cellular contents between the
plasma membrane and the nucleus.
Nucleus – a large organelle that houses most of the
cell’s DNA. Chromosomes and genes are contained
here.
Typical Structures
Plasma Membrane
A flexible, yet sturdy barrier that surrounds and
contains the cytoplasm of a cell.
Fluid mosaic model.
Lipid Bilayer
Membrane proteins
Membrane Permeability – Selective
Plasma Membrane continued…
Gradients
Concentration
Electrochemical
Osmosis
Diffusion
Active Transport
Lipid Bilayer
Phospholipids – 2 layers
Amphipathic – polar and nonpolar
Hydrophilic
Hydrophobic
Membrane Proteins
Integral Proteins – extend into or through the lipid
bilayer.
Transmembrane proteins
Peripheral Proteins – attached to either the inside or
outside of the membrane.
Functions of Membrane Proteins
Ion channel
Transporter
Receptor
Enzyme
Cell Identity Marker
Linker
Membrane Permeability
Selectively Permeable
Permeable to nonpolar, uncharged molecules, such as
oxygen, carbon dioxide, & steroids.
Impermeable to ions and charged or polar molecules,
such as glucose.
Slightly permeable to water and urea.
Gradients
Concentration Gradient – A difference in the
concentration of a chemical from one place to another.
Electrochemical Gradient – The combination of the
effects of the concentration gradient and the membrane
potential.
Transport Across the Membrane
Passive Transport – does not require cellular energy.
Substances move down their concentration or
electrochemical gradients using only their own kinetic
energy.
Active Transport – requires cellular energy in the form
of ATP.
3 Types of Passive Transport
Diffusion through the lipid bilayer.
Diffusion through membrane channels.
Facilitated diffusion.
Endocytosis

Material enters the cell in vesicles.

Exocytosis

Material leaves the cell in vesicles.

Diffusion
Materials diffuse from areas of high concentration to
areas of low concentration. They move down their
concentration gradient.
Equilibrium – molecules are mixed uniformly
throughout the solution.
Factors Influencing Diffusion
Steepness of the concentration gradient.
Temperature.
Mass of the diffusing substance.
Surface Area.
Diffusion distance.
Osmosis
The net movement of a solvent (water) across a
selectively permeable membrane.
Water moves from an area of higher water
concentration to an area of lower water concentration.
Osmotic Pressure
A solution containing solute particles that cannot cross
the membrane exerts a force called osmotic pressure.
The greater the number of solute particles the greater
the pressure.
Tonicity
A solution’s tonicity measures the solution’s ability to
change the volume of cells by altering their water
content.
Isotonic – cell maintains shape
Hypotonic – cell swells and bursts
Hypertonic – cell shrinks - crenation
Cytoplasm
2 components
Cytosol – fluid portion that surrounds organelles.
 55% of total cell volume
 Water with dissolved and suspended components
 Ions, glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, proteins, lipids, ATP,
and waste products.
Organelles – specialized structures
 Specific shapes
 Specific functions
Cytoskeleton
Network of protein filaments.
Structural framework for the cell.
3 Types of filaments
Microvilli – small – increase surface area
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules – largest – in cilia and flagella – participate
in cell division.
Centrosome
Located near the nucleus
Plays a critical role in cell division
Cilia and Flagella
Comprised of microtubules.
Cilia – short, hairlike projections that extend from
the surface of the cell.
Line respiratory tract
Movement is paralyzed by nicotine
Flagella – longer than cilia
Usually move an entire cell
Sperm’s tail
Ribosomes
Sites of protein synthesis
Free Ribosomes – located in cytosol
Attached to nuclear membrane and ER
In mitochondria
Endoplasmic Reticulum ER
Plasmic = cytoplasm; reticulum = network
Network of folded membranes
Transports substances throughout cell
Rough ER – ribosomes attached – synthesizes proteins
Smooth ER – synthesizes fatty acids and steroids
Rough ER
Smooth ER
Golgi Complex
Consists of 3 – 20 golgi cisternae (membranous sacs)
Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for distribution
Proteins leave through secretory vesicles, membrane
vesicles, or transport vesicles.
Lysosomes
Lyso = dissolving; somes = bodies
Contain powerful digestive enzymes and hydrolytic
enzymes
Lysosomal enzymes can destroy their own cell –
autolysis (due to pathology)
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Generate ATP – “powerhouses” of the cell
Mitochondrian with Matrix
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Spherical or oval shaped
Most prominent feature in the cell
Most structures have a single nucleus, although mature
RBCs have none
Contain genes arranged in chromosomes
Genome – total genetic information for an organism
Nucleus
Nucleus
Cell Division
Somatic Cell Division – replaces dead or injured cells
and adds new ones for growth.
Mitosis
Produces 2 identical daughter cells
Reproductive Cell Division – produces gametes –
sperm and oocytes.
meiosis
Cell Cycle
2 major phases
Interphase – the cell is not dividing
Mitotic phase – the cell is dividing
Interphase
The cell replicates its DNA during this phase.
Produces additional organelles and cytosolic
components.
Mitotic Phase
Nuclear Division – Mitosis
Cytoplasmic Division - Cytokinesis
Mitosis
Prophase
Chromatin fibers condense and shorten.
Metaphase
The microtubules align the centromeres of the chromatid
pairs.
Anaphase
The centromeres split separating the two members of
each chromatid pair.
Telophase
Identical chromosomes uncoil and a nuclear envelope
forms around each mass.
Cytokinesis
Division of the parent cell’s cytoplasm and organelles
into two daughter cells.
Cellular Diversity
The body of an average human adult is composed of
nearly 100 trillion cells.
Approximately 200 different types.
The largest cell is the oocyte