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CHEM 160

THE CELL
Objectives
• Identify the important parts of the cell
• Correlate the composition of the parts of the
cell with their function
THE CELL
Why do we need to review the cell
structure?
• Cellular components are made up of
biomolecules.
• The turnover (biosynthesis and degradation)
of biomolecules happens inside the cell.
• Biochemical reactions are taking place
inside the various cellular components
What is a cell?
• Basic building block of life
• Smallest living unit of an organism
• Capable of growth, reproduction, energy
adaptation, and response to the environment
• A cell may be an entire organism or it may be
one of billions of cells that make up an
organism.
Two types of Cells

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell


Prokaryotic Cells
• The earliest and most primitive forms
of life on earth
• Simple in structure
• Usually unicellular organisms
• No recognizable organelles
• Lack a nucleus
• Has its DNA concentrated in the nucleoid
region of the cytoplasm
An Escherichia coli cell
Eukaryotic Cells
• Have more complex structures and
intracellular processes
• Structural features:
• With distinct membrane-bound organelles
• Compartmentalization allows two
incompatible reactions to occur in a single
cell at the same time
• Commonly 1000-fold greater in volume than
prokaryotic cells
Organelles
• Specialized subunits within a eukaryotic cell
• Has its own specific function
• Usually separately enclosed within its own
membrane
• Suspended in thick intracellular fluid called the
CYTOSOL
Organelles
Major Functions:
• Synthesis and degradation of biomolecules
• Selective transport of biochemical substances
• Metabolism
• Storage, transmission, and expression of
genetic information
Main Types of Eukaryotic Cells

a typical
ANIMAL CELL
Main Types of Eukaryotic Cells

a typical
PLANT CELL
The Plasma Membrane
Unique Organelles
ANIMAL CELLS:
• Lysosomes
• Flagella

PLANT CELLS:
• Chloroplasts (Plastids)
• Central Vacuole and Tonoplast
• Cell Wall
• Plasmodesmata
Nucleus

• Contains the genetic


material of the cell
• Site of DNA and RNA
synthesis
Ribosome
• Site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Network of membrane channels connected to


the nuclear pore
• Contains enzymes for detoxification of foreign
substances that gained entry into the cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Rough ER – contains the ribosomes


• Smooth ER – site of lipid synthesis
Golgi Complex
• Sorts and transports molecules for export into
the plasma membrane or other cells
Lysosomes
• Contain hydrolytic digestive enzymes aimed
for intracellular digestion
Peroxisomes
• Contain oxidative enzymes for intracellular
digestion
Mitochondrion
• Site for Cellular Respiration
Cell Wall
• Cellulosic inert supporting structure surrounding
plant cells for rigidity
Chloroplast
• Site of photosynthesis
• Contains chlorophyll,
the pigment
responsible for
harvesting light
Vacuole
• Reservoir for food,
nutrients and ions as
well as waste products
CHEM 160
BIOMOLECULES: Overview
Objective
• Understand the main differences among the four
biomolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids,
and nucleic acids.
Biologically Important Elements

• C,H,N,O,P,S – most important


ones for biomolecules
Biologically Important Elements

• C,H,N,O – readily form covalent bond


Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Hydrocarbons

C C

alkene aromatic
Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Organic Derivatives of Water

OH
CO
H C O C

alcohols phenols ethers


Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Carbonyl compounds

O O

C H C C

aldehyde ketone
Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Acyl compounds O
O
C N
C OH
O
amide
carboxylic
acid C O C

ester
Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Amines N

Sulfur-containing

C S H C S C

thiol/sulfhydryl sulfide
Functional Groups
most commonly found in biomolecules
Phosphorus-containing
O O O

O P OH O P O P O H

OH O H O H

orthophosphate pyrophosphate
Linkages
most commonly found in biomolecules

O
C O C

C N
ether
O
amide
C O C

ester
Linkages
most commonly found in biomolecules

O O O

C O P OH O P O P O H

OH O H O H

phosphoester phosphoanhydride
PROTEINS
• Most abundant biomolecule in the cell (~15%)
• Most varied and most diverse in terms of
structure and function
Functions of Proteins
• Establishment and maintenance of structure
eg. collagen, histones in DNA
• Transport
eg. hemoglobin, transferrin
• Control and Regulation
eg. hormones (insulin, somatotropin)
• Defense and immunity
eg. immunoglobulin
Functions of Proteins
• Catalysis
eg. enzymes
• Movement
eg. myosin in muscles
• Storage
eg. ferritin
Levels of Protein Architecture
CARBOHYDRATES
• Most abundant biomolecule on EARTH
• Polyhydroxyaldehydes and polyhydroxyketones
Functions of Carbohydrates
• Stores and provides energy
eg. glycogen, starch, monosaccharides
• Structural integrity
eg. cellulose in plant cell walls
• As conjugates to other macromolecules
eg. glycoproteins
• Component of nucleic acids
eg. ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA
NUCLEIC ACIDS
• Chemical carriers of genetic information
• Biopolymers of nucleotides linked by
phosphodiester bond
• Two forms:
• DNA (2-deoxyribonucleic acid)
• RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Polynucleotides
Nucleotides
Functions of Nucleotides
• Energy currency in metabolic processes
eg. ATP, ADP
• Structural components of cofactors and
coenzymes
eg. NADH, FADH2
• As building blocks for molecular repositories of
genetic information
eg. DNA and RNA
LIPIDS
• Heterogeneous in structure
• Exhibits low solubility/insolubility in water and
solubility in organic solvents
• Have very large hydrophobic
(non-polar) portions
Functions of Lipids
• As fuel for metabolic processes
eg. fats and oils
• Building block and nutrients/vitamins
eg. phospholipids, glycolipids, cholesterol,
vit. A,D,E,K
• Insulation
eg. fats and oils
• Protective coverings
eg. cutin and suberin
References
CHEM 160 lecture manual

CHEM 160 lecture slide of Profs. BP Serrano, KMP Caldo and AC Reyes

Campbell and Reece. Biology 9th ed.

Nelson and Cox. Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry, 4th ed.

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