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Cells Tructurewphysio
Cells Tructurewphysio
Chapter 3
Examples of Cells
3.2 What, Exactly, Is a Cell?
Plasma membrane
• A cell’s outermost membrane
Lipid bilayer
• Structural foundation of cell membranes; mainly
phospholipids arranged tail-to-tail in a bilayer
Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
• Semifluid substance enclosed by a cell’s plasma
membrane
Organelles
Organelle
• Structure that carries out a specialized metabolic
function inside a cell
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Cells are classed as eukaryotes or prokaryotes
based on how DNA is housed in the cell
Nucleus
• Organelle with two membranes that holds a
eukaryotic cell’s DNA
Nucleoid
• Region of cytoplasm where DNA is concentrated
in a prokaryotic cell
The Cell Theory
Cell theory
• All organisms consist of one or more cells
• The cell is the smallest unit of life
• Each new cell arises from another cell
• A cell passes hereditary information to its
offspring
3.3 Measuring Cells
Nuclear envelope
• A double membrane that constitutes the outer
boundary of the nucleus
The Endomembrane System
Endomembrane system
• Series of interacting organelles between the
nucleus and plasma membrane
• Makes and modifies lipids and proteins
• Recycles molecules and particles such as worn-
out cell parts, and inactivates toxins
The Endomembrane System
Peroxisome
• Enzyme-filled vesicle that breaks down amino
acids, fatty acids, and toxic substances
Lysosome
• Vesicle with enzymes for intracellular digestion
The Endomembrane System
Golgi body
• Organelle that modifies polypeptides and lipids
• Sorts and packages the finished products into
transport vesicles
Vacuole
• A fluid-filled organelle that isolates or disposes of
wastes, debris, or toxic materials
Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
Mitochondrion
• Double-membraned organelle that produces ATP
Chloroplast
• Organelle of photosynthesis
The Cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton
• Dynamic network of protein filaments that
support, organize, and move eukaryotic cells and
their internal structures
Cilia
• Short, hairlike structures that project from the
plasma membrane of some eukaryotic cells
• Coordinated beating stirs fluid, propels motile cells
• Moved by organized arrays of microtubules
• Example: clears particles from airways
Flagella
Cell junctions
• Connect a cell structurally and functionally to
another cell or to extracellular matrix (ECM)
Tight junction
• An array of fibrous proteins that joins epithelial cells
and prevents fluids from leaking between them
Adhering junction
• Anchors cells to each other or to extracellular
matrix
Gap junction
• Forms a channel across plasma membranes of
adjoining animal cells