Cell Structure and Function Department of Biolgoy, WCU
Cells Variation: shape, size and function (blood, fat, nerve) Common features nucleus, cytoplasm, membrane
Cell structure
Plasma membrane Lipid bilayer (water impermeable) Head (polar), tail (non-polar) Hydrophilic Hydrophobic Glycolipids Cholesterol
Proteins Integral Peripheral Cytoskeleton transport (1. binding, 2. channels) Peripheral Enzymes, cell division Cytoskeleton support
Membrane specializations 1. Microvilli finger-like projections Function increase surface area kidney, intestine
Molecule passage Absorption - plasma membrane Secretion - plasma membrane Intercellular spaces
Membrane specializations 2. Membrane junctions Tight junction (kidney) Desomosome (muscle cell) Gap junction (nerve)
Cytoplasm Definition (not the nucleus) Components organelles cytosol inclusions
Organelles “Cell is body, organelles are organs” Bound by membranes Functions maintain internal environment prevent enzyme leaching
Organelles 1. Mitochondria density indicates activity 2 membranes Sugar + O2 CO2 + H2O + ATP DNA and RNA
Organelles 2. Ribosomes Protein + RNA (rRNA) Types free ribosomes polyribosomes membrane-bound ribosomes (RER)
Organelles 3. Endoplasmic reticulum Types RER, SER
Endoplasmic reticulum RER functions protein secretion (export) protein, phospholipid, cholesterol SER functions steroids (estrogen, testosterone) chemical detoxification muscle contraction (Ca++)
Organelles 4. Golgi apparatus Structure: membrane sacs Function: protein modification and packing for export
Organelles 5. Lysosome Structure Function spherical bags “garbage disposal” accumulate H+ endocytosis (bacteria, toxins)
Organelles 6. Centrioles Structure Function barrel-shaped bodies (9 triplet) Function mitotic spindle formation
Organelles 7. Nucleus - control center Structure Function nuclear envelope + pore nucleolus chromatin - DNA Function production of DNA