Cellular Structure and Functions 1

Cellular
Structure
and
Functions
All Cells Have Three Basic Features:
1. Plasma Membrane (cell membrane,
phospholipid bilayer)
2. Genetic Material (cell nucleus, DNA)
3. Cytoplasm (cytosol)
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote Cells
Prokaryotes
• no membrane bound nucleus,
chromosomes grouped together in an
area called the "nucleoid"
• no membrane bound organelles
• smaller than eukaryotes
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote Cells
Eukaryotes
• has a membrane bound
nucleus and organelles
• plants, animals, fungi
before
Nut or nucleus
true
Nut or nucleus
1. Cellular
Membrane
⚫ Can regulate the flow of materials in and out
of the cell
⚫ A semipermeable membrane that selectively
controls the entrance and exit of materials.
⚫ Double phospholipid layer with embedded
proteins
⚫ Membrane transport - selectively permeable
membrane
⚫ osmosis
⚫ protein channels
⚫ active transport
⚫ fluid mosaic model
• Cholesterol molecules – helps strengthen the membrane, flexible
but less fluid
• Carbohydrates – attached as identity tags
• Transport proteins
• Extend from the phospholipid layer to help
materials cross the membrane
• Channel Proteins
• Form tunnels that help cells to import or export
needed and waste materials
• Cell recognition proteins
• Enable cells to distinguish own cells from that
other organisms, such as pathogens that may
invade the body
• Enzymatic proteins – participate metabolic reactions
(degradative and synthetic reactions)
• Cytoskeleton proteins – act as muscle and skeleton
to maintain cell shape and motility
• Junction proteins – assist cell-to-cell adhesion and
communication
• Receptor proteins – facilitate exchange of signals
with other cells by changing its shape to allow
specific molecule, ligand, to bind to it
2. Cell Wall
• Outermost structure of
plant cells which consist
of cellulose.
• It gives rigidity and
strength to the plant cells
3. Cytoplasm
⚫Liquid portion of the cell containing small
organelle
⚫Mostly water with chemical compounds
in solution or colloid
⚫Solution: atoms or ions distributed in
medium
⚫Polar compounds go into solution
⚫Nonpolar compounds go into colloidal
suspension
⚫70% water
4. Nucleus
⚫Controls the center of the cell
⚫Contains the genetic information in the form of
DNA
⚫Control center of the cell
⚫Nuclear membrane has pores to allow substances
passage
⚫Chromatin genetic material inside nucleoplasm
⚫Nucleolus - site of ribosome formation
⚫Contains nucleolus – manufactures RNA and
protein
4.A Ribosomes
• Protein synthesis
• Have ribosomal RNA and
proteins
• Attached to rough
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Scattered in the cytoplasm
Endomembrane System
5. Endoplasmic
Reticulum
• System of membranes that makes up
channels
• Connects with outer nuclear and cell
membranes
• Types of ER
– Rough: for protein synthesis attached
ribosomes
– Smooth: fat transport and sex
hormone synthesis, breaking down
drugs and alcohol
Endomembrane System
6. Golgi Apparatus
• Collection of flat sacs that
transport proteins from the rough
ER to the outside cell
• Collection of flat saclike cisternae
• Concentration and collection of
cellular compounds
• Storage warehouses of the cell
• Carbohydrate synthesis site
Endomembrane System
7. Vesicles
• Storage vesicles
• Transport vesicles
• Secretory vesicles
• Generally short lived and are
formed and recycled as needed by
the cell
• Some may develop into lysosomes
and vacuoles
Endomembrane System
8. Vacuoles
⚫Taking up space and pushing other
organelles closer to the plasma
membrane where materials can be
exchanged and also give the cell its
shape (Sap vacuole)
⚫Store waste products to be released
later or used to prevent other
organisms from eating them
(Contractile Vacuole)
⚫Digestive structure that stores food
(Food Vacuole)
Endomembrane System
9. Lysosomes
• Act as digestive system; for the

digestion processes of materials taken
in
• Contains lysozyme (defends cell from
bacteria and viruses)
• Function
– digest stored food
– maintenance and repair of
organelles
– suicide agents for old or weak cells
Endomembrane System
10. Peroxisome
• Containing digestive enzymes for
breaking down toxic materials
• Carrying oxidative enzymes that
requires oxygen
• Breakdown of alcohol
• Contains a lot in the liver for
detoxification purposes
Endomembrane System
11. Mitochondria
• Double membrane bound
organelle
• Powerhouse of the cell
• Chemical energy (ATP)
• Cellular respiration
• Contain its own ribosomes and
DNA
12. Plastids
• Coloring pigments found in plants
• Chromoplasts
• Chloroplasts - green
• Xanthophyll - yellow
• Carotene – orange
• Leucoplasts – colorless, starch
(amyloplast)
• Elaioplasts – fatty acids
• Help the plant to convert solar
energy into chemical energy
12.A • Thylakoids (contains chlorophyll),
Chloroplast granum (grana), stroma (liquid)
• Have its own DNA and ribosomes
13. Cytoskeleton
• Small protein fibers in the
cytoplasm
• Suspends organelles in the
cytoplasm
• Allows regulated movement of cell
parts
• Responsible for cell’s change in
shape
Microtubules – lengthy and Intermediate filaments –
thickest, cell shape and serve as smaller and ropelike.
anchorage for the membrane
bound organelles. • Give tensile and strength
• Act as “tracks” for the and ability to stretch
movement of vesicles • Present in skin cells,
• Forms spindle fibers claws, hairs and feathers
• Flagellum structure of animals
• Microfilaments – thinnest,
also known as actin
filaments.
Serve as protective meshwork
under the plasma membrane.
Cell movement, muscle
contraction and relaxation.
⚫ Other Parts
⚫ Flagella
-Long cytoplasmic projections containing
microtubules
-Used for propulsion
⚫ Cilia
-Shorter and more numerous
-Moves in waves allowing cells to move through a
medium
 Hair like protrusions from cell membrane

 Nine double fibrils around two single central
fibrils
 Cilia move materials across cell surface
 Flagellum propels cell through a medium 33
Cell Surfaces and Junctions
• Plasmodesmata
• Cell communication between
plant cells
• Present among plant’s cell wall
• For sharing of water, nutrients,
and chemical messages
• Apoplast and symplast route
• In animal cell, cell junctions are
common
• Tight junctions – join two cells
tightly together to form leak
proof sheet
• Adhesion junctions – act like
screws together with cytoskeletal
fibers to form strong sheet
• Gap junctions – allow small
molecules to flow between
neighboring cells
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
PLANTS AND ANIMAL
CELLS
Plant Cell Animal Cell
⚫Usually larger with distinct ⚫Basically smaller with less

outlines and a definite cell distinct boundaries and no
wall definite wall
⚫With thin lining of cytoplasm ⚫Consist almost entirely of
with large food vacuole cytoplasm. Food vacuoles
⚫Covered with cell wall that small and not permanent
consist of cellulose ⚫With no definite cell wall
and do not have cellulose

Cellular Structure and Functions 1

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Cellular Structure and Functions 1

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Cellular

• Act as digestive system; for the

 Hair like protrusions from cell membrane

⚫Usually larger with distinct ⚫Basically smaller with less

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