CELLULAR STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

CELL
Definition:
Circumscribed mass of protoplasm containing nucleus
Smallest and basic unit of life
Capable of growth and reproduction
Granular Epithelial cell capable of secretion
Plasma Cells produce proteins
2 Major Parts:
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Function:
Communication
Cell metabolism and energy release
Reproduction and inheritance
Structure:
Organelles specialized structures in cell that perform a
specific function (ex. nucleus)
o Membrane bound has a membrane surrounding
(ex. nucleus, golgi, mitchondria, lysosomes, ER)
o Non membrane bound no enveloping membrane
surrounding the structure (ex. centrioles and
ribosome)
Cytoplasm jelly like substance that hold organelles
o Organelles (suspended in the cytosol)
o Inclusion (suspended in the cytosol)
o Cytoskeleton
o Components
Organelles that contains DNA:
Nucleus [46]
Mitochondria [1] (from the mother only)
Generalized/ Perfect cell contains all the structures of the other cells
(does not exist)
Microfilaments for contraction (muscle cells)
Mitochondria power house of the cell

Cell Membrane outer most component of the cell
Function:
Selective barrier that determines what can pass in and out of
the cell
Encloses the cytoplasm
o Extracellular substances outside of the cell
o Intracellular substances inside the cell
Major molecules that make up a cell membrane:
Phospholipids
Proteins
Microtubules assist in cell division
Flagella propel sperm cell
Microvilli increase surface area of a cell
Ribosome
2 Kinds of Ribosome
o Free ribosome manufacture proteins for cell
consumption
o Attached ribosome -proteins are secreted
Polar hydrophilic (water loving) head [phosphate]
Non-polar hydrophobic (water fearing) tail [fatty acid]
Bilaminar structure proteins floating on a sea of lipids
Why do molecules pass through the cell membrane?
1. Directly through (Diffusion)
O2 and CO2
2. Membrane Channels
Proteins that extend from one side of the cell membrane to
another
Passive Transport Mechanism moves bec. of the difference
of concentration
Active Transport Mechanism energy is required
3. Carrier Molecule
The shape must be compatible with the shape of the carrier
molecule
4. Vesicle
Can transport a number of materials through the utilization of
cell membrane
2 Kinds of Ion Channels
o Gated Channel often closed (Na+)
o Non-gated Channel aka leaky always open (K+)
Diffusion movement of concentration from higher concentration to
lower concentration (solute)
Concentration gradient
Measures conc. difference of 2 points
Greater the distance the faster the solute will travel
Difference of concentration of substances
Filtration movement of fluid through a partition with holes
Fenestration formation of Urine
Mediated Transport Mechanism made possible because of a carrier
molecule
Facilitated Diffusion (passive) w/o energy required
Active Transport Mechanism from low to high
concentration
o ATP is required
Osmosis water molecules move down the concentration gradient
(solvent)
Osmotic Pressure force required to prevent the movement
of water
Hydrostatic pressure prevents net molecules of water in the
tube
Hypertonic high concentration of solute and lower water
concentration in the cytoplasm (shrink)
Hypotonic lower concentration of solutes to a higher
concentration of water in the cytoplasm (swell)
Isotonic solutes and water are same
Lysis when a cell swell
Crenation when a cell shrinks
Endocytosis bulk transport mechanism
2 Types of Endocytosis
o Pinocytosis cell drinking (liquid)
o Phagocytosis cell eating (macromolecules solid)
Ligands substance to be interralized
Endosome pre lysosomal compartments (dethatched the
ligand to the receptor)

Cell Structures:
Cytoplasm inside cell; jelly like fluid; gives the cell a shape and holds
organelles in place
Nucleus control center of the cell
Nuclear envelope edge of nucleus
Nuclear pores passageway of materials
Chromosome inside nucleus; part of genetic make up; made up of
DNA and proteins
Nucleolus produces ribosome
Ribosome types of ribosome
Small
Large
RER site of protein synthesis
SER no ribosome; lipid synthesis
Golgi Apparatus [RER] cytoplasm; closely packed stacks; serves as
passageway; distributes protein and lipids
Cis face entry passageway
Intermediate actual process of modification
Trans face exit face; maturing site
Signal Peptide initial segment that signals whether the ribosome is for
secretion or not
Secretory Vesicle distribute materials of the cell
2 Types of Respiration
Aerobic Respiration requires oxygen
Anaerobic Respiration no oxygen
Microvilli - absoption
Cytoskeleton cells framework
Microtubules largest in diameter
Intermediate filaments medium in diameter
Microfilaments smallest in diameter
Why do substance move? bec of constant random motion