Cell Structure &

Function

Dr. Bolaji Elizabeth

 Objectives
• Define Cell
• Know the difference between Prokaryotic &
Eukaryotic cell
• Know the cell theory
• Know the structure and function of
intercellular components
 Introduction
• A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life
that is responsible for all of life’s processes.
• The first cells were observed and named by
Robert Hooke in 1665 from slice of cork
• Various types of cells perform different functions
based on cellular structure.
• There are two types of cells:
– Prokaryotes
– Eukaryotes
 Cell Theory
• Proposed by Matthais Schleiden & Theodor
Schwann in 1839:
– All living things are made up of cells
– Cells are the smallest working unit of all living
things
– All cells come from pre-existing cells through cell
division
 Components Of The Cell
• The major structures present in a cell are:
– Cell Membrane
– Cytoplasm and its Organelles
– Nucleus
 Cell Membrane
• Cell membrane is the outermost structure which
envelopes the cell
• It is a thin pliable elastic structure 7.5-10nm
(nanometers) thick
• Composition:
– Proteins (55%)
– Phospholipids (25%)
– Cholesterol (13%)
– Carbohydrates (3%)
Cell Membrane
-Functions
• Protective: forms outermost boundary of the cell
organelles
• Digestive: Takes in food and excretes waste products
• Selective permeability
– Non-polar molecules: gases (like O2, CO2, N2), lipids, steroid
hormones, alcohols can dissolve in the non-polar regions of
the membrane and move rapidly across the membrane
– Polar molecules: H2O soluble ions, glucose, urea etc. have
much lower solubility, therefore, they penetrate much more
slowly.
 Cytoplasm
• Thick, gel-like semitransparent fluid that is
found in both plant and animal.
• Composition:
– Cytosol: clear fluid portion of cytoplasm in which
inclusions, particles and organelles are dispersed
– Organelles: ER, Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes,
Mitochondria, peroxisomes, Ribosomes,
Cytoskeleton
 Nucleus
• The nucleus contains the hereditary material of the cell
DNA
• it is the control center of the cell
A. Composition:
– Nucleoplasm: fluid in the nucleus
– Chromosomes: thread-like coiled structures (genetic material)
– Nucleoli: one or more small masses present in the nucleus with
no limiting membrane. Contains mRNA
B. Function:
– Controls protein synthesis
– Controls cell division
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
• Network of interconnected tubular and flat vesicular
structures in the cytoplasm
• An extensive network of closed, flattened membrane-
bounded sacs called cisternae
• The space inside the tubules is filled with endoplasmic
matrix
• Types:
– Rough ER/ granular (has ribosomes attached)
• Concerned with protein synthesis
– Smooth ER/agranular (has no ribosomes attached)
• Concerned with lipid synthesis
 Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Ribosomes absent Ribosomes present

Site of synthesis of lipid and Site of protein synthesis,

steroid hormones processing and packaging

Mainly present in lipid forming Mainly present in protein

cells such as adipocytes,
interstitial cells of testis,
glycogen storing cells of liver,
adrenal cortex cells, muscle
cells, leukocytes etc.
forming cells such as pancreatic
acinar cells, goblet cells,
antibody producing plasma cells,
Nissl’s granule of nerve cells etc.
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Golgi Apparatus/Body
• A collection of membrane enclosed sacs
composed of 4 or more stacked layers of thin,
flat enclosed vessels lying near the side of the
nucleus
• Consists of multiple discrete compartments
• Consists of 4 functionally distinct regions:
– The cis golgi network
– Golgi stack – which is divided into:
• The medial and
• Trans sub compartments
– The trans golgi network
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Golgi Apparatus/Body
Function:
• Wrapping and packaging department of the
cell
• Site of lysosomes formation
• It adds certain carbohydrates to small proteins
to form glycoproteins
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Lysosomes
• Lysosomes are the cellular garbage disposal
system
• They are also known as the “Suicidal bags”
• Structure:
– 250-750nm in diameter
– These are irregular structures surrounded by the
lipid bilayer outer membrane
– Organelles formed by breaking off golgi apparatus
• NB: lysosomes are cell hydrolases and they
function best at the acidic pH
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Lysosomes
Function:
• Digestion of food stuff
• Bactericidal agents (e.g. lysozyme and
lysoferrin)
• Regression of various tissues
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Peroxisomes
Structure:
• 250-750nm in diameter
• Bound by lipid bilayer
• Contain oxidase
• Formed by budding off from smooth ER or by
division
Function:
• Causes oxidation (detoxification) of proteins and
toxins in the cell.
• Synthesis of bile acids in liver
Lysosome vs Peroxisomes

.2
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Mitochondria
• Known as the Power house of the cell
• Structure:
– Two lipid bilayer
– Contain shelves formed by in-folding of inner bilayer onto
which oxidative enzymes are attached
– Mitochondrial cavity filled with gel matrix containing enzymes
– Variable sizes and shapes
– Presence of DNA (enables it to replicate itself)
• Function:
– Formation of high energy compound (ATP)
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Cytoskeleton
• System of fibers that not only maintains the
structure of the cell but also permit it to change
shape and move
• The cytoskeleton is made up primarily of 3
things along with the protein that anchor them
together:
– Microtubules
– Intermediate filaments
– Microfilaments
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Cytoskeleton
• Microtubules
– These are long hollow structures apx 0.25nm in diameter
– They determine the shape of the cell
– They play a role in the contraction of the spindle and movement of
chromosomes and centrioles
– Contribute to ciliary and flagella motion
• Intermediate filaments
– They are 8-14nm in diameter
– They form a flexible scaffolding or cell and help it resist external
pressure. In their absence, cell ruptures more easily
– NB: The proteins that make up intermediate filament are cell type
specific and thus frequently used as cellular markers
Organelles Of The Cytoplasm
-Cytoskeleton
Microfilaments:
• They are long solid fibers of 4-6nm in diameter
• They compose contractile protein actin and
are responsible for cell motion
 Cytoskeleton’s General Function
They are involved in the:
• Movement of the chromosomes
• Cell movement
• Movement of proteins within the cell
membrane
 Summary
Compartments Major Functions
• Plasma membrane • Transport of ions and molecules
• Cytosol • Metab. Of carbohydrate, lipids &
amino acids
• Mitochondria • Energy production
• Endoplasmic reticulum • Synthesis of proteins & lipid
• Golgi apparatus • Modification & sorting of
• Lysosomes proteins
• Peroxisomes • Cellular digestion
• Cytoskeleton • Utilisation of H2O2
• Nucleus • Cell morphology & cell motility
• DNA synthesis & repair
 Functions Of The Cell
• Provides support & structure
• Facilitate growth by mitosis
• Allows transport of substances
• Energy production
• Aids in reproduction
 Practice Questions
• This jellylike substance inside the plasma
membrane in which all cell organelles are
floating is
(a) Cytoplasm
(b) Tonoplasm
(c) Karyoplasm
(d) Cell sap
 Practice Questions
•  The organelle serving as a primary packaging
area for molecules that will be distributed
throughout the cell is
(a) Vacuole
(b) Plastids
(c) Mitochondria
(d) Golgi apparatus
 Practice Questions
•  Microfilaments are composed of a protein
called
a) Tubulin
b) Actin
c) Myosin
d) Chitin
 Practice Questions
•   Lysosomes are known as “suicidal bags”
because
a) Parasitic activity
b) Presence of food vacuole
c) Hydrolytic activity
d) Catalytic activity
 Practice Questions
•   The cell theory is not applicable to-
a) Fungi
b) Microbes
c) Algae
d) Virus
 Course/Textbook References
1. LIPPINCOTT’S ILLUSTRATED REVIEWS:
BIOCHEMESTRY by Pamela C. Champe/ R.A. Harvey/
D.R. Ferrier – Published by Lippincott, Williams &
Wilkins -  Edition 3 -  ISBN: 0-7817-2265-9
2. BIOCHEMESTRY by John L. Tymoczko/ Jeremy M.
Berg/ LubertStryer - Published by W. H. Freeman –
Edition 5 - ISBN:
3. Harper’s Biochemistry, 26th Edition, Robert Murray,
Peter A. Mayes, Victor W. Rodwell, Daryl K. Granner,
McGraw-Hill Companies, ISBN: 0071389016
• THANK YOU