Cell Structure and Function
Biochemistry
Jerrold T. Mangao, RN, MAEdc
Cell Theory
The cell theory states that:
– All living things are made of one or more cells.
– Cells are the basic unit of structure and function
in living things.
– All cells come from other cells.
Definition of a cell:
basic structural and functional unit of life
the smallest units that display the
characteristics of life, i.e. reproduction,
metabolism, response to stimuli
Cell Types
• Two categories:
1. Cell that have
membrane-bound organelles
– Called Eukaryotic Cells
2. Cells that do not have membrane-
bound organelles
– called prokaryotic cells
• Unicellular organisms such as
bacteria are examples of
prokaryotes.
Endosymbiotic Theory
• explains how eukaryotic cells evolved.
• some of the organelles in eukaryotic cells were once
prokaryotic microbes.
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
General Subdivisions of a Cell
• Plasma Membrane = selectively permeable
boundary between the cell and the
environment
• Nucleus = regulatory center of the cell
• Cytoplasm = everything between the plasma
membrane and the nucleus (fluid + organelles)
Plasma Membrane
1. Structure = phospholipd bilayer with proteins
embedded in, and attached to, the inner
(intracellular) and outer (extracellular) surfaces
2. Function
a. Selectively permeable barrier: controls what
enters and leaves the cell
b. Phospholipids are liquid at body temperature, so
proteins float around in the membrane
-functions as a Fluid Mosaic
Plasma Membrane
Plasma Membrane (2)
2. Function – continued
c. Main responsibility: ensure the composition of
extracellular fluid is not the same as the
composition of the intracellular fluid
d. Water-soluble substances (salts, nutrients) cross
membrane with aid of protein channels, which are
selective about what can pass through
e. Lipids can pass directly through bilayer by
diffusion (the random walk of molecules)
f. Attachment site of cytoskeleton, the internal
support of the cell
Plasma Membrane (3)
3. Glycocalyx = protein and carbohydrate coat
covering the extracellular surface of the
plasma membrane
a. Allows attachment to other cells
b. Allows the cell to interact with the environment
c. Gives each person’s cell a distinctive surface;
allows your body to recognize foreign tissues
as different from your own (i.e., blood type,
transplant rejection)
General Subdivisions of a Cell
• Plasma Membrane = selectively permeable
boundary between the cell and the
environment
• Nucleus = regulatory center of the cell
• Cytoplasm = everything between the plasma
membrane and the nuclear compartment
Cell Structure Overview
Overview of Organelles
• Nucleus-
– Largest organelle in the cell and it is the most inner
compartment of the cell
– contains chromatin (DNA); genetic information on strands
called chromosomes
– “control center” for cell metabolism and reproduction
• Chromatin- Directions on how to make proteins
• Nucleolus- Found inside nucleus; ribosomes are made here
Nuclear
Compartment
Cytoplasm + Organelles
1. Fluid portion = “cytoplasm”
a. Water with dissolved salts, nutrients and
enzymes (= proteins that do a particular job)
b. Site of many metabolic reactions
2. Cytoskeleton = network of protein fibers
extending throughout the fluid cytoplasm
a. Support and structure for the cell
b. Very dynamic, always remodeling itself
c. Critical for cells to divide and copy themselves
Cell Structure
Organelles
1. Separate compartments within the cytoplasm
formed by membranes
2. Mitochondrion = “thread granule”, major source
of cell’s energy
a. energy is taken from sugar, stored in molecule
called ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
b. requires oxygen to make this exchange
(aerobic metabolism)
c. contained within double membrane
Mitochondrion
Cell Structure
1. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) = “within the
cytoplasm network”, a system of tubes and sacs
formed by membranes (an enclosed space)
a) Rough = with bound ribosomes
--modifies proteins produced by the ribosomes
b) Smooth = without bound ribosomes
-doesn’t modify proteins
-functions in lipid synthesis, drug
detoxification, carbohydrate metabolism
Cytomembrane System (2)
2. Golgi Apparatus = series of flattened sacs formed by
membranes, functions in final protein processing prior
to use by the cell
a. proteins get shuttled from the ER to one end
of the Golgi
b. in each sac, different modifications are made
(proteins get individually tailored)
c. proteins get sorted and shipped off to their
destination (like the post office of the cell)
Cytomembrane System (2)
3. Vesicles = small membrane-bound structures
that transport proteins and lipids around the cell
a. little transporters that shuttle their
contents from one organelle to another
b. when they contact the appropriate organelle,
they fuse with its outer membrane and dump
their contents inside
c. same for plasma membrane, allowing the
export of materials from the cell (exocytosis)
Vesicles move from ER to Golgi
Cytomembrane System (2)
4. Lysosome = membrane-bound vesicle that
contains digestive enzymes or toxic chemicals
a. merges with vesicles containing food
particles, invading bacteria
b. harsh chemicals and enzymes degrade the
food or bacteria, without harming rest of cell
• Ribosomes- make proteins (made up of
RNA and protein); thought of as “factories
• Vacuoles- fluid filled organelles
enclosed by a membrane
– Store materials such as food, sugar,
water, and waste products
Plant Cell Organelles
• Cell wall- rigid wall outside the plasma
membrane. It provides the cell with extra support.
• Chloroplasts- captures light and energy; and
converts it into chemical energy.
• Chlorophyll- green pigment found inside the
chloroplast.
Activity 1
• Create a 3 part columns comparing and
contrasting the structures/organelles of each
cell (prokaryotic, animal and plant)
• Identify the shape of each cell
• Identify the structure and function of each
organelle in the eukaryotic cells
• Point out differences between organelles in
the plant and animal cell
BioChem Lab
• Lab. Apparatuses and their uses
• Parts of the microscope
