CHAPTER 2

CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION

CELLS
1. 2. 3. Basic units of life Protoplasm: living component of a cell Consists of cytoplasm and nucleus Surrounded by a thin layer of plasma membrane. 4. Plant cell has cell wall: completely surround the plasma membrane.

Cytoplasm
Contains organelles: perform specific functions Examples of organelle: 1. Nucleus 2. Mitochondria 3. Chloroplasts 4. Vacuoles 5. Ribosomes 6. Lysosomes 7. Golgi apparatus

Cell membrane
All membrane found in the cell Plasma membrane: 1. Membrane at the surface which encloses the content of the cell. 2. Made of protein and phospholipids. 3. Forms a boundary that separate the content of a cell from the outer environment. 4. Semi permeable: acts as selective barrier. 5. Function: regulates the movements of substances into and out of the cytoplasm

Cell wall
1. 2. 3. Rigid outer layer Surround the Plasma membrane. Composed of cellulose (tough and fibrous carbohydrates Permeable: because it has tiny pores that allow substances move freely into and out of the cell Function: Gives shape to plant cells Provides mechanical support Protects the plant from rupturing due to the excessive intake of water

Cell wall

Cytoplasm
Region between the nucleus and the plasma membrane. Consists of jelly-like matrix in which organelles of the cell is suspended. Contains organic and inorganic substances acts as a medium for biochemical reaction. Provides substances obtained from the external environment to the organelles.

Nucleus
large dense and spherical organelle enclosed by a nuclear membrane Contains nucleoplasm,nucleolus, chromatin and chromosomes. Chromosome: 1. carry genetic information 2. Controls all the activities take place in the cell

Vacuole
Fluid-filled sac surrounded by tonoplast (semi-permeable) Contain cell sap which contain water, sugars, amino acids, mineral salts, organic acids and waste substances

Mitochondria
Small spherical or cylindrical shaped organelles Involved in cellular respiration Energy released in the form of ATP

Ribosomes
Compact spherical organelles Attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum or suspended freely in the cytoplasm Function: site for protein synthesis

Endoplasmic reticulum
Network of folded membrane forming interconnected tubules or sac. Continuous with the nuclear membrane RER
Ribosome attached on it Transport protein made by the ribosomes

SER
No ribosome attached Site of important metabolic reaction. E.g: synthesis of lipids detoxification of drugs

Golgi apparatus
Consists of a stack of flattened membranous sac Function: processing, packaging and transporting centre of carbohydrates, proteins, phospholipids and glycoprotein.

 Transport vesicles carrying products such as proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum fuse with the membrane of the Golgi apparatus and empty their contents into the membranous area. Proteins are modified GA sorts these products and package them into vesicles. Vesicles bud off from the Golgi membrane and travel to other part of the cell or to Plasma membrane. These vesicle will then fuse with the plasma membrane and releasing their contents outside the cell.

Lysosomes
Membrane bound sac that contain hydrolytic enzymes Hydolytic enzymes: break down complex molecules Eliminate worn out mitochondria and other damaged organelles to enable a cell to renew its life. Digest food content in the vacuoles Digest bacteria by breaking the bacteria cell wall

Chloroplasts
Typically lens-shaped Contains chlorophyll Function of chlorophylls: traps sunlight and converts light energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis.

The density of organelles in specific cell

Density or abundance of certain organelles is related to the functions of specific cells. Example:
Type of cell Pancreatic cell Function Synthesise and secrete enzymes and hormones Organelle found abundantly Rough endoplasmic reticulum