1. Cell Structure: A Tour of the Cell
Chapter 4
Cell Structure: A Tour of the Cell 1

2. The smallest structural unit of life.
Cell:
A basic unit of living matter separated from its environment by a plasma membrane.
The smallest structural unit of life. 1

3. First observations of cells were made with light microscopes:
Microscopy
First observations of cells were made with light microscopes:
Robert Hooke (1665): Used primitive microscope to observe cork (dead plant cells). Coined the word cell.
Anton van Leeuenhoeck (1670s): Made single lens microscopes. First person to observe live cells under microscope: “animalcules” (protists) in water, red blood cells, sperm, bacteria, and insect eggs.
Theodor Schwann (1830s): Observed harder to view animal cells. Called cells “elementary particles” of both plants and animals. 1

4. Cell Theory: Developed in late 1800s.
1. All living organisms are made up of one or more cells.
2. The smallest living organisms are single cells, and cells are the functional units of multicellular organisms.
3. All cells arise from preexisting cells. 1

5. Microscope Features Magnification:
Increase in apparent size of an object.
Ratio of image size to specimen size.
Resolving power: Measures clarity of image.
Ability to see fine detail.
Ability to distinguish two objects as separate.
Minimum distance between 2 points at which they can be distinguished as separate and distinct. 1

6. Light Microscopes: Earliest microscopes used.
Lenses pass visible light through a specimen.
Magnification: Highest possible from 1000 X to 2000 X.
Resolving power: Up to 0.2 mm (1 mm = 1/1000 mm). 1

7. Types of Microscope
Electron Microscopes: Developed in 1950s. Electron beam passes through specimen.
Magnification: Up to 200,000 X.
Resolving power: Up to 0.2 nm (1nm = 1/1’000,000 mm).
Two types of electron microscopes:
1. Scanning Electron Microscope: Used to study cell or virus surfaces.
2. Transmission Electron Microscope: Used to study internal cell structures. 1

8. Components of All Cells:
1. Plasma membrane: Separates cell contents from outside environment. Made up of phospholipid bilayers and proteins.
2. Cytoplasm: Liquid, jelly-like material inside cell.
3. Ribosomes: Necessary for protein synthesis.

9. Procaryotic versus Eucaryotic Cells
Feature Procaryotic Eucaryotic
Organisms Bacteria All others (animals, plants,
fungi, and protozoa)
Nucleus Absent Present
DNA One chromosome Multiple chromosomes
Size Small (1-10 um) Large (10 or more um)
Membrane Absent Present (mitochondria,
Bound golgi, chloroplasts, etc.)
Organelles
Division Rapid process Complex process
(Binary fission) (Mitosis)

10. Relative Sizes of Structures
1 nanometer (10-9 m) water molecule
10 nanomters (10-8 m) small protein
100 nanometers (10-7 m) HIV virus
1 micron (10-6 m) cell vacuole
10 microns (10-5 m) bacterium
100 microns (10-4 m) large plant cell
1 millimeter (10-3 m) single cell embryo

11. Relative Sizes of Procaryotic and Eucaryotic Cells and Viruses

12. Relative Sizes of Cells and Other Objects

13. Prokaryotic Cells Bacteria and blue-green algae.
Small size: Range from micrometers in length. About one tenth of eukaryotic cell.
No nucleus: DNA in cytoplasm or nucleoid region.
Ribosomes are used to make proteins
Cell wall: Hard shell around membrane
Other structures that may be present:
Capsule: Protective, outer sticky layer. May be used for attachment or to evade immune system.
Pili: Hair-like projections (attachment)
Flagellum: Longer whip-like projection (movement)

14. Procaryotic Cells: Lack a Nucleus and other Membrane Bound Organelles

15. Eucaryotic Cells Include protist, fungi, plant, and animal cells.
Nucleus: Protects and houses DNA
Membrane-bound Organelles: Internal structures with specific functions.
Separate and store compounds
Store energy
Work surfaces
Maintain concentration gradients

16. Membrane-Bound Organelles of Eucaryotic Cells
Nucleus
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
Golgi Apparatus
Lysosomes
Vacuoles
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria

17. Eucaryotic Cells: Typical Animal Cell

18. Eucaryotic Cells: Typical Plant Cell

19. Nucleus Structure Functions Double nuclear membrane (envelope)
Large nuclear pores
DNA (genetic material) is combined with histones and exists in two forms:
Chromatin (Loose, threadlike DNA, most of cell life)
Chromosomes (Tightly packaged DNA. Found only during cell division)
Nucleolus: Dense region where ribosomes are made
Functions
House and protect cell’s genetic information (DNA)
Ribosome synthesis

20. Structure of Cell Nucleus

21. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
“Network within the cell”
Extensive maze of membranes that branches throughout cytoplasm.
ER is continuous with plasma membrane and outer nucleus membrane.
Two types of ER:
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

22. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
Flat, interconnected, rough membrane sacs
“Rough”: Outer walls are covered with ribosomes.
Ribosomes: Protein making “machines”.
May exist free in cytoplasm or attached to ER.
RER Functions:
Synthesis of cell and organelle membranes.
Synthesis and modification of proteins.
Packaging, and transport of proteins that are secreted from the cell.
Example: Antibodies

23. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

24. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
Network of interconnected tubular smooth membranes.
“Smooth”: No ribosomes
SER Functions:
Synthesis of phospholipids, fatty acids, and steroids (sex hormones).
Breakdown of toxic compounds (drugs, alcohol, amphetamines, sedatives, antibiotics, etc.).
Helps develop tolerance to drugs and alcohol.
Regulates levels of sugar released from liver into the blood
Calcium storage for cell and muscle contraction.

25. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

26. Golgi Apparatus
Stacks of flattened membrane sacs that may be distended in certain regions. Sacs are not interconnected.
First described in 1898 by Camillo Golgi (Italy).
Works closely with the ER to secrete proteins.
Golgi Functions:
Receiving side receives proteins in transport vesicles from ER.
Modifies proteins into final shape, sorts, and labels proteins for proper transport.
Shipping side packages and sends proteins to cell membrane for export or to other parts of the cell.
Packages digestive enzymes in lysosomes.

27. The Golgi Apparatus: Receiving, Processing, and Shipping of Proteins

28. Lysosomes
Small vesicles released from Golgi containing at least 40 different digestive enzymes, which can break down carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Optimal pH for enzymes is about 5
Found mainly in animal cells.
Lysosome Functions:
Molecular garbage dump and recycler of macromolecules (e.g.: proteins).
Destruction of foreign material, bacteria, viruses, and old or damaged cell components.
Digestion of food particles taken in by cell.
After cell dies, lysosomal membrane breaks down, causing rapid self-destruction.

29. Lysosomes: Intracellular Digestion

30. Lysosomes, Aging, and Disease
As we get older, our lysosomes become leaky, releasing enzymes which cause tissue damage and inflammation.
Example: Cartilage damage in arthritis.
Steroids or cortisone-like anti-inflammatory agents stabilize lysosomal membranes, but have other undesirable effects (affect immune function).
Diseases from “mutant” lysosome enzymes are usually fatal:
Pompe’s disease: Defective glycogen breakdown in liver.
Tay-Sachs disease: Defective lipid breakdown in brain. Common genetic disorder among Jewish people.

31. Vacuoles Membrane bound sac. Different sizes, shapes, and functions:
Central vacuole: In plant cells. Store starch, water, pigments, poisons, and wastes. May occupy up to 90% of cell volume.
Contractile vacuole: Regulate water balance, by removing excess water from cell. Found in many aquatic protists.
Food or Digestion Vacuole: Engulf nutrients in many protozoa (protists). Fuse with lysosomes to digest food particles.

32. Central Vacuole in a Plant Cell

33. Interactions Between Membrane Bound Organelles of Eucaryotic Cells

34. Chloroplasts Site of photosynthesis in plants and algae.
CO2 + H2O + Sun Light -----> Sugar + O2
Number may range from 1 to over 100 per cell.
Disc shaped structure with three different membrane systems:
1. Outer membrane: Covers chloroplast surface.
2. Inner membrane: Contains enzymes needed to make glucose during photosynthesis. Encloses stroma (liquid) and thylakoid membranes.
3. Thylakoid membranes: Contain chlorophyll, green pigment that traps solar energy. Organized in stacks called grana.

35. Chloroplasts Trap Solar Energy and Convert it to Chemical Energy

36. Chloroplasts Contain their own DNA, ribosomes, and make some proteins.
Can divide to form daughter chloroplasts.
Type of plastid: Organelle that produces and stores food in plant and algae cells.
Other plastids include:
Leukoplasts: Store starch.
Chromoplasts: Store other pigments that give plants and flowers color.

37. Mitochondria (Sing. Mitochondrion)
Site of cellular respiration:
Food (sugar) + O > CO2 + H2O + ATP
Change chemical energy of molecules into the useable energy of the ATP molecule.
Oval or sausage shaped.
Contain their own DNA, ribosomes, and make some proteins.
Can divide to form daughter mitochondria.
Structure:
Inner and outer membranes.
Intermembrane space
Cristae (inner membrane extensions)
Matrix (inner liquid)

38. Mitochondria Harvest Chemical Energy From Food

39. Origin of Eucaryotic Cells
Endosymbiont Theory: Belief that chloroplasts and mitochondria were at one point independent cells that entered and remained inside a larger cell.
Both organelles contain their own DNA
Have their own ribosomes and make their own proteins.
Replicate independently from cell, by binary fission.
Symbiotic relationship
Larger cell obtains energy or nutrients
Smaller cell is protected by larger cell.

40. Complex network of thread-like and tube-like structures.
The Cytoskeleton
Complex network of thread-like and tube-like structures.
Functions: Movement, structure, and structural support.
Three Cytoskeleton Components:
1. Microfilaments: Smallest cytoskeleton fibers. Important for:
Muscle contraction: Actin & myosin fibers in muscle cells
“Amoeboid motion” of white blood cells

41. Components of the Cytoskeleton are Important for Structure and Movement

42. Three Cytoskeleton Components:
2. Intermediate filaments: Medium sized fibers
Anchor organelles (nucleus) and hold cytoskeleton in place.
Abundant in cells with high mechanical stress.
3. Microtubules: Largest cytoskeleton fibers. Found in:
Centrioles: A pair of structures that help move chromosomes during cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
Found in animal cells, but not plant cells.
Movement of flagella and cilia.

43. Typical Animal Cell

44. Cilia and Flagella Flagella: Large whip-like projections.
Projections used for locomotion or to move substances along cell surface.
Enclosed by plasma membrane and contain cytoplasm.
Consist of 9 pairs of microtubules surrounding two single microtubules (9 + 2 arrangement).
Flagella: Large whip-like projections.
Move in wavelike manner, used for locomotion.
Example: Sperm cell
Cilia: Short hair-like projections.
Example: Human respiratory system uses cilia to remove harmful objects from bronchial tubes and trachea.

45. Structure of Eucaryotic Flagellum

46. Cell Surfaces A. Cell wall: Much thicker than cell membrane,
(10 to 100 X thicker).
Provides support and protects cell from lysis.
Plant and algae cell wall: Cellulose
Fungi and bacteria have other polysaccharides.
Not present in animal cells or protozoa.
Plasmodesmata: Channels between adjacent plant cells form a circulatory and communication system between cells.
Sharing of nutrients, water, and chemical messages.

47. Plasmodesmata: Communication Between Adjacent Plant Cells

48. Cell Surfaces
B. Extracellular matrix: Sticky layer of glycoproteins found in animal cells.
Important for attachment, support, protection, and response to environmental stimuli.
Junctions Between Animal Cells:
Tight Junctions: Bind cells tightly, forming a leakproof sheet. Example: Between epithelial cells in stomach lining.
Anchoring Junctions: Rivet cells together, but still allow material to pass through spaces between cells.
Communicating Junctions: Similar to plasmodesmata in plants. Allow water and other small molecules to flow between neighboring cells.

49. Different Animal Cell Junctions

50. Important Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
Plant cells Animal cells
Cell wall None (Extracellular matrix)
Chloroplasts No chloroplasts
Large central vacuole No central vacuole
Flagella rare Flagella more usual
No Lysosomes Lysosomes present
No Centrioles Centrioles present

51. Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
Plant Cell

52. Typical Plant Cell

53. Summary of Eucaryotic Organelles
Function: Manufacture
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Rough ER
Smooth ER
Golgi Apparatus
Function: Breakdown
Lysosomes
Vacuoles

54. Summary of Eucaryotic Organelles
Function: Energy Processing
Chloroplasts (Plants and algae)
Mitochondria
Function: Support, Movement, Communication
Cytoskeleton (Cilia, flagella, and centrioles)
Cell walls (Plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protists)
Extracellular matrix (Animals)
Cell junctions