Eukaryotic Cell Structures Notes SV
Eukaryotic Cell Structures Notes SV
Eukaryotic Cell Structures Notes SV
The structure of the cell surface membrane – although the structure looks static the
phospholipids and proteins forming the bilayer are constantly in motion
All cells are surrounded by a cell surface membrane which controls the exchange of
materials between the internal cell environment and the external environment
o The membrane is described as being ‘partially permeable’
The cell membrane is formed from a phospholipid bilayer of phospholipids spanning
a diameter of around 10 nm
Cell wall
The cell wall is freely permeable to most substances (unlike the plasma membrane)
Cell walls are formed outside of the cell membrane and offer structural support to cell
Structural support is provided by the polysaccharide cellulose in plants, and
peptidoglycan in most bacterial cells
Narrow threads of cytoplasm (surrounded by a cell membrane)
called plasmodesmata connect the cytoplasm of neighbouring plant cells
Nucleus
The nucleus of a cell contains chromatin (a complex of DNA and histone proteins) which
is the genetic material of the cell
Present in all eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is relatively large and separated from the
cytoplasm by a double membrane (the nuclear envelope) which has many pores
Nuclear pores are important channels for allowing mRNA and ribosomes to travel out
of the nucleus, as well as allowing enzymes (eg. DNA polymerases) and signalling
molecules to travel in
The nucleus contains chromatin (the material from which chromosomes are made)
Usually, at least one or more darkly stained regions can be observed – these regions
are individually termed ‘nucleolus’ and are the sites of ribosome production
Mitochondria
A single mitochondrion is shown – the inner membrane has protein complexes vital for the
later stages of aerobic respiration embedded within it
The site of aerobic respiration within eukaryotic cells, mitochondria are just visible
with a light microscope
Surrounded by double-membrane with the inner membrane folded to form cristae
The matrix formed by the cristae contains enzymes needed for aerobic
respiration, producing ATP
Small circular pieces of DNA (mitochondrial DNA) and ribosomes are also found in
the matrix (needed for replication)
Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are found in the green parts of a plant – the green colour a result of the
photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll
Ribosome
Ribosomes are formed in the nucleolus and are composed of almost equal amounts of
RNA and protein
Found freely in the cytoplasm of all cells or as part of the rough endoplasmic
reticulum in eukaryotic cells
Each ribosome is a complex of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins
80S ribosomes (composed of 60S and 40S subunits) are found in eukaryotic cells
70S (composed of 50S and 30S subunits) ribosomes in prokaryotes, mitochondria
and chloroplasts
Site of translation (protein synthesis)
Endoplasmic reticulum
The RER and ER are visible under the electron microscope - the presence or absence of
ribosomes helps to distinguish between them
Does not have ribosomes on the surface, its function is distinct to the RER
Involved in the production, processing and storage of lipids,
carbohydrates and steroids
Golgi apparatus (golgi complex)
Lysosome
Specialist forms of vesicles which contain hydrolytic enzymes (enzymes that break
biological molecules down)
Break down waste materials such as worn-out organelles, used extensively by cells of
the immune system and in apoptosis (programmed cell death)
Centriole
Hollow fibres made of microtubules, two centrioles at right angles to each other form
a centrosome, which organises the spindle fibres during cell division
Not found in flowering plants and fungi
Microtubules
Microvilli
Cell membrane projections that increase the surface area for absorption
Cilia
All organisms require a constant supply of energy to maintain their cells and
stay alive
This energy is required:
o In anabolic reactions – building larger molecules from smaller molecules
o To move substances across the cell membrane (active transport) or to
move substances within the cell
o In animals, energy is required:
For muscle contraction – to coordinate movement at the whole-
organism level
In the conduction of nerve impulses, as well as many other
cellular processes
In all known forms of life, ATP from respiration is used to transfer energy in all
energy-requiring processes in cells
This is why ATP is known as the universal energy currency
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is a nucleotide
o The monomers of DNA and RNA are also nucleotides
Viruses are not cellular like prokaryotes and eukaryotes – this is just one example
of a virus structure