Chapter 2 Structure of Cells and Organelles
Chapter 2 Structure of Cells and Organelles
Chapter 2 Structure of Cells and Organelles
a) Primary cell wall (Found in young cells and cells that are not
highly differentiated such as meristem, parenchyma &
collenchyma).
• Thin layer, found just outside the plasma membrane of most
plant cells.
• Consist of randomly arranged microfibrils of cellulose in an
amorphous matrix.
• Matrix –made up of complex
polysaccharides (pectins and
hemicellulose).
• Porous, elastic & strong.
b) Secondary cell wall (Harder & usually thicker layer, formed
between the plasma membrane and primary cell wall).
Functions:
▪ Form cytoskeleton that determines the shape
▪ Divide the cytoplasm into compartments
(specialised enzymes can isolated from others to
function better).
▪ Pull chromosomes or chromatids during mitosis or
meiosis.
b) Microfilaments
Functions:
▪ Cause membrane invagination & evagination during
endocytosis & exocytosis.
▪ Cause protrusion of pseudopodium.
▪ Assist in the cleavage process during cytokinesis in
animal cells after nuclear division.
d) Intermediate filaments
Functions:
▪ Maintain the shape of cell.
▪ Distribute the organelles & support them in the
cytoplasm.
▪ Help some specialised cells to perform the functions.
NUCLEUS
• The largest organelle & function to control all activities
of the cell.
• Spherical or oval in shape (cylindrical or lobed in
white blood cells) – shape can later be changed.
Functions of Chromosomes:
▪ Control all the activities
of the cell.
▪ Enables genes to be passed
down from one generation
to the next generation.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• ER is a network of flattened sacs & tubules that
interconnect to form a complex structure in the cytoplasm
for internal transport of substances
• Each flattened sac or tubule is called cisternae.
• ER membrane is the typical lipoprotein type (not folded
& the proteins on both sides are on different types).
• The content of cisternae is a sol matrix.
• The outside of cisternae form a complex network of inter
cisternal space (same composition as cytoplasm but with
microfilaments attached on its outer membrane to
maintain the ER shape).
• ER membrane may connect to the outer membrane of
nucleus, which may continue to expand.
• ER size depends on the type of cell.
a) Rough ER
Have a lot of ribosomes attached to its outer surface.
Functions:
▪ Produces proteins such as digestive enzymes
▪ Transport proteins to smooth ER or to the Golgi apparatus
through sacs pinched off from the surface membrane.
b) Smooth ER
• Have little or no ribosome on the surface.
• Embedded on the inner surface of the membrane.
Functions:
▪ Produces & transports lipids, sex hormones and in the brain
cells (animal cells).
▪ Detoxifies drugs & toxins with the help of enzymes (liver
cells).
▪ Involved in the storage & transport of calcium ions (striated
muscles).
▪ Forms cellulose, hemicellulose & pectin – transports them to
the central plate to form new cross walls after mitosis
(meristem cells)
▪ Forms lysosomes – vesicles that use for internal transport &
reactions.
Mitochondria
• The ‘power house’ of the cell, where energy in the
form of ATP is formed.
• Each mitochondrion can divide to form two
mitochondria (happens when the cells become active
or just before cell division).
• Usually spherical, oval or sausage-shaped
(shape is changeable).
• Have an envelope with
liquid matrix.
• The envelope made up
of two layers of lipoprotein
membranes.
Function of Mitochondria
3) Contractile vacuole