ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF CELL

The Cell

The cell

Structure & Function of a Cell

Fundamental unit of life- CELL Most cells in human being have diameters of 10-20 m Principal constituents are: A. Cell membrane B. Nucleus & its Chromosome C. Cytoplasm & its organelles

BASIC PARTS OF A CELL

Cells contain a variety of Internal Structures called ORGANELLES. An organelle is a Cell Component that PERFORMS SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS FOR THE CELL. Just as the organs of a multicellular organism carry out the organism's life functions, the Organelles of a cell Maintain the Life of the Cell. All cells have an outer boundary, an interior substance, and a control region.

The Cell And Its Functions

The Cell membrane is: Thin (7.5 10 nms. in thickness) Pliable elastic structure Fluid state (MOSAIC MODEL) Double layered Lipoprotein film Interspersed with protein molecules Outer coat of Glycocalyx Selectively permeable
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The Cell And Its Functions

The Cell membrane is composed of : Proteins - 55% Phospholipids - 25% Cholesterol 13% Other lipids 4% Carbohydrate 3%

The Phospholipid Molecule

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The Phospholipid Molecule

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Properties Of The Phospholipid Molecule

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The Phospholipid Bilayer

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The Lipid Cell Membrane

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The Cell And Its Functions

The cell membrane proteins (Glycoproteins):

Integral
Provide Channels Carrier proteins Pumps Receptors

Peripheral
Mostly Enzymes

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 Transmembrane Proteins extend thru the membrane and serve as: A. Channels thru which ions/ small soluble substances diffuse. B. Carriers actively transport materials across the lipid layer. C. Pumps actively transport across the lipid layer. D. Receptors which when activated initiate intracellular reactions.

Cell membrane
The entire outer surface of the cell is covered by a loose coat of Carbohydrates called Glycocalyx The functions of the Glycocalyx : Gives a negative charge to the surface of the cell Adherence to the adjacent cells Participation in immune reactions Receptor site (eg for binding of Insulin)
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Glycocalyx As A Receptor

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Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is a water-like substance that fills cells. The cytoplasm consists of cytosol and the cellular organelles, except the cell nucleus. The cytosol (cytoplasm, which also includes the organelles) is the internal fluid of the cell, and a portion of cell metabolism occurs here. The cytosol is made up of water, salts, organic molecules and many enzymes that catalyze reactions. It is found within the plasma membrane of a cell and surrounds the nucleus and envelopes the organelles

Cell Organelles
Examples: Endoplasmic Reticulum (smooth & granular) Ribosomes (attached to the GER) Golgi Apparatus Lysosomes Secretory vesicles Mitochondria
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Endoplasmic Reticulum
A network of interconnecting tubular and flat vesicular structures (surface area is 30 40 times that of the cell membrane) Lipid bilayer wall with or without attached Ribosomes Granular/rough ER (RER) studded with ribosomes Agranular/smooth ER (SER) without ribosomes
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ER
The Endoplasmic Reticulum: The inner space is continuous with the space between the two walls of the nuclear membrane Acts as conduit Machinery for Metabolic functions (proteins and lipids)

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The Endoplasmic Reticulum

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ER
Attachment of Ribosomes to the ER gives it the granular look. Together, the GER & the Ribosome are the main factories for the synthesis of proteins destined to be secreted outside the cell or packed in the Lysosomes.

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Ribosomes
Ribosomes are composed of a mixture of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and proteins. Free Ribosomes are the sites for the synthesis of proteins destined to be used inside the cell. Ribosomes are devoid of a limiting membrane.

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The Granular Endoplasmic Reticulum

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The Agranular Endoplasmic Reticulum

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Functions Of Endoplasmic Reticulum

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Golgi Apparatus
The Golgi Apparatus is the Processing, Packaging and Secreting Organelle of the Cell. The Golgi Apparatus is made of 4-6 stacks of flattened SAC like Structures called CISTERNAE. It works Closely with the ER, the Golgi Apparatus modifies proteins for export by the cell. Golgi apparatus is involved in the manufacture of Lysosomes, Peroxisomes and Secretory vesicles

The Golgi Apparatus

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The Golgi Body Complex

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The Golgi Body Complex

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Lysosomes
Lysosomes
(Contain 40 different hydrolase enzymes)

Damaged cellular structures

Food particles

bacteria

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The Lysosomes

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The Lysosome

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The Lysosome

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Peroxisomes
Peroxisomes are similar to the Lysosomes Except; Formed by budding off from Smooth ER Contain enzymes used in the detoxification process They are named for the Hydrogen Peroxide, H2O2, they produce when breaking down alcohol and killing bacteria. Peroxisomes also break down fatty acids, which the mitochondria can then use as an energy source Peroxisomes contain oxidative enzymes, such as catalase, D-amino acid oxidase and uric acid oxidase
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Secretory vesicles
Plenty in secretory cells Formed by the GER Golgi Body system Found more towards the secretory surface of the cell

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The Secretory Granules

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The Mitochondria

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Mitochondria
Mitochondria are found scattered throughout the Cytosol, and are relatively Large Organelles. Mitochondria are the sites of Chemical Reactions that transfer Energy from Organic Compounds to ATP. Energy contain in food is released. Converted to ATP. ATP is the molecule that most Cells use as their main Energy Currency. THE "POWERHOUSE" OF THE CELL. Mitochondria are Usually more numerous in Cells that have a High Energy Requirement - muscle cells contain a large number of mitochondria.

Mitochondrion
Powerhouse of the cell All Mitochondria are maternal in origin Are self replicative (has its own genome) Variable in number and size Bound by two separate membranes

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 Mitochondria is surrounded by TWO Membranes. A. The smooth outer membrane serves as a boundary between the mitochondria and the cytosol. B. The inner membrane has many long folds, known as CRISTAE. The Cristae greatly increases the surface area of the inner membrane, providing more space for the Chemical Reactions to occur. Mitochondria have their own DNA, and new mitochondria arise only when existing ones Grow and divide. ATP Production is called CELLULAR RESPIRATION.

The Structure Of The Mitochondrion

(Cristae)

(Intercristal space)
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The ATP Molecule

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Formation Of ATP

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The Cell And Its Functions

Energy from the ATP molecule is used in three ways: Membrane transport Protein synthesis Mechanical work

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Energy For Cellular Functions

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NUCLEUS
The nucleus (The library of the cell): Manufactures DNA (Genes) and RNA control the characteristics of all cell proteins control reproduction

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Structure Of The Nucleus

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Nuclear Membrane
2 separate bilayer membranes The outer continuous with the ER The peri-nuclear space between the 2 layers communicates with the matrix of the ER Punctuated with multiple coated pores

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The Nuclear Membrane

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Nucleolus
Most prominent in cells actively and vigorously involved in protein synthesis. Not coated with a limiting membrane. Actually a mass of recently assembled RNA and proteins. Contributes to the formation of the Ribosomes.

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Cytoskeleton
Just as our body depends on skeleton to maintain its shape and size, so a Cell needs structures to maintain its shape and size. In Animal Cells, an internal framework called CYTOSKELETON maintains the Shape of the Cell. THE CYTOSKELETON PARTICIPATES IN THE MOVEMENT OF ORGANELLES WITHIN THE CYTOSOL AND HELPS THE CELL MOVE. Cytoskeleton is a network of long protein strands located in the Cytosol, that are Not surrounded by a membrane.

 CYTOSKELETON consists of Three Types: MICROTUBULES, MICROFILAMENTS AND INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS.

MICROTUBULES
Microtubules are HALLOW TUBES, are the Largest Strands of the Cytoskeleton. Are made of a PROTEIN called TUBULIN. Microtubules have THREE FUNCTIONS: A. To maintain the shape of the cell and hold organelles in place. B. To serve as tracks for organelles and molecules to move along within the cell.

 C. Two short cylinders of Microtubules at right angles known as Centrioles can be found situated in the cytoplasm near the nuclear envelope.
Centrioles organize the microtubules of the cytoskeleton during Cell Division in animal cells, plant cells lack centrioles

Microfilaments

MICROFILAMENTS are structures that resembles ROPE made of TWO TWISTED CHAINS OF PROTEIN called ACTIN. MICROFILAMENTS can CONTRACT, causing movement.
Muscle Cells have many microfilaments

Intermediate filaments
Intermediate filaments are rods that anchor the nucleus and some other organelles to their place in the cell. They maintain the internal shape of the nucleus.
Hair-follicle (hair-root) cells produce large quantities of intermediate filament proteins. These proteins make up most of the hair shaft.

Cilia & Flagella

Cilia and Flagella are Hairlike Organelles that extend from the surface of the cell, where they assist in movement. Microtubules are sometimes bundled into structures called CILIA AND FLAGELLA. CILIA ARE SHORT HAIRLIKE PROJECTIONS. FLAGELLA ARE LONG WHIPLIKE PROJECTIONS. CILIA ARE OFTEN NUMEROUS. FLAGELLA ARE OFTEN SINGULAR. Unicellular organisms such as Paramoecium and Euglena use Cilia and Flagella to move through water. Sperm use flagella to swim to the egg.