Chemistry and Cells: Overview

Basic Biochemistry Study of chemical compositions and reactions of living things Organic Molecule with carbon, often large Inorganic All other chemcals in the body

Inorganic Molecules Water Salts Acids and Bases

Organic Molecules Carbohydrates: sugars, energy Lipids: fats Protein: major players in cellular structure and function Nucleic Acids: DNA, RNA

Most important molecule of All… ATP: adenosine triphosphate ATP + H2O ADP + Pi + energy hydrolysis

Cell Theory The cell is the basic unit of life Every living thing is made of cells Every cell comes from a pre-existing cell

Parts of the cell Plasma membrane Cytoplasm Fluid mosaic model Function: Protective barrier Membrane transport Cytoplasm Material between the plasma membrane and nucleus Site where most cellular activities occur

Cytoplasmic Organelles Mitochondria: “power plants of the cell” Produce ATP (cellular energy) Complex organelles, have own DNA and RNA and can reproduce themselves Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis

Cytoplasmic Organelles Endoplasmic Reticulum: “network” Rough studded with ribosomes “membrane factory” Smooth Involved in synthesis and processing of “fat”

Cytoplasmic Organelles Golgi Apparatus: “traffic director” Transports newly formed proteins from the rough ER to their final destination Modify, concentrate and packages proteins along the way Lysosomes: the cell’s “demolition crew” Digests biological molecules Involved in detoxification

The Nucleus Control Center: contains entire genetic information Bound by nuclear envelope Nucleoli: site of ribosome production Chromatin: composed of DNA and histones

Cell Life Cycle: Interphase G1: cells are active and growing S: DNA replicates itself G2: growth and final preparation for division

Mitotic Phase: M Prophase: sister chromatids align, mitotic spindle forms Metaphase: nuclear membrane fragments, centromeres align at equator of mitotic spindle Anaphase: daughter chromosomes are pulled to opposite sides of the cell Telophase: new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes, cleavage of two cells See figure 3.30 on pg. 100

Protein Synthsis Transcription Translation: transfer of information from DNA to complimentary mRNA (RNA polymerase) Within nucleus Translation: mRNA travels to ribosome where tRNA brings appropriate amino acids to align to mRNA codons