Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function

History of the cell

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1673) – constructed a crude microscope to analyze
“animalcules” in pond water & other “tiny things”
Robert Hooke (1665) – coined the word “cellulae” (small roon) to describe the boxlike
cavities he saw when viewing cork slices under a microscope
Both of these individuals observations were discarded for nearly 200 years, due to
social standing
Development of the CELL THEORY
Matthias Schleiden (1838) – using a microscope proposed that all plants are composed
of cells
Theodor Schwann (1839) – using a microscope proposed that all animals are composed
of cells
Together they stated:
1. Cells are the elementary particle of all living organisms
2. All cells are alive – independent to the organisms to which they belong
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Development of the CELL THEORY
Rudolf Virchow (1858) – stated
1. Cells never arise from noncellular material
2. Diseases result from changes in specific kinds of cells
CELL THEORY
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells
2. Cells are the basic living unit of organization of all organisms capable of
independent existence
3. All cells come from other cells
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Cell size
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Why are cells so small?
Surface area / Volume ratio
Nutrients & wastes enter & exit a cell via its surface (plasma membrane)
Do you think a larger cell needs more nutrients & produces more wastes than a
smaller cell?
The only problem here is that as a cell gets larger, the proportionate amount of surface
area actually decreases
That is the amount of surface area as a ratio to the volume decreases, meaning that a
larger cell cannot bring in enough nutrients or expel enough wastes even though its
overall surface area is quite large
EXAMPLE
1 mm cube has a surface area of 6 mm2 and a volume of 1 mm3 = 6:1 SA to V ratio
2 mm cube has a surface area of 24 mm2, but a volume of 8 mm3 = 3:1 SA to V ratio
A cell needs a surface area that can adequately exchange materials with the
environment. Surface area to volume considerations require that cells stay small
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
What are cells composed of?
All cells are composed of a boundary, a cell body, & a set of genes
The plasma membrane is a boundary that separates the contents of the cell from the
surrounding environment
It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer in which protein molecules are embedded
It serves to regulate the passage of materials into & out of the cell, thus maintaining a
homeostatic environment for the cell’ life processes
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Cells also contain a set of genes, which are composed of DNA
Genes contain all of the necessary information for the growth, development, &
maintenance of an organism throughout its life cycle
In our cells, along with those of plants, fungi (mushrooms), & protists (amoeba), the
genes are contained within a membrane bound structure called a nucleus. The presence
of this nucleus defines a category of cells called eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic cells (bacteria) do not possess a gene containing nucleus. Its genes occupy
a region called the nucleoid. It is not protected by a membrane barrier.
The cell body is defined as the area between the nucleus & the plasma membrane
It is filled with a semi-fluid substance called cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is 90% water & contains dissolved molecules as well as the organelles of the
cell
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
What kind of functions does a cell have to accomplish in order to survive?
Organelles & their functions
Nucleus – Stores genetic information for the cell. It is surrounded by a double
membrane called the nuclear envelope.
The nuclear envelope contains nuclear pores to allow the passage of materials between
the nucleus & the cytoplasm

The nucleus also contains

nucleoli which synthesize
ribosomes necessary for protein
synthesis
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
The endomembrane system – is composed of the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic
reticulum, golgi apparatus, & vesicles
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) – a series of flattened stacks of vesicles (saccules) which
are continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope
ER exists as either Smooth ER (SER) or Rough ER (RER)

RER is studded with ribosomes,

giving the ER its “rough”
appearance. It is involved in
protein synthesis, packaging the
newly synthesized proteins for
further modification
SER does not have attached
ribosomes, hence smooth
appearance. It is involved in lipid
metabolism, hormone production,
detoxification, vesicle formation,
& other processes
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Golgi apparatus – a stack of 3 to 20 saccules which are involved in modifying &
packaging proteins & lipids delivered to it from the ER
Once the molecules have been modified, they exit the Golgi via vesicles which will
then migrate to the plasma membrane to secrete the molecule or have them embedded
in the plasma membrane

Other vesicles will remain in

the cytoplasm, becoming
organelles like lysosomes &
peroxisomes
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Lysosomes – contain digestive enzymes
What kind substances do you think lysosomes digest?
Autophagy – digestion of organelles
Autolysis – digestion of their host cell
Perioxisomes – various metabolic tasks dealing with oxidizing organic molecules
Vacuoles – large membranous sacs for storing substances
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Energy-Related Organelles
Chloroplasts – harness solar energy to synthesize carbohydrates
Mitochondria – utilizing carbohydrates & other energy rich molecules to form ATP –
energy currency of the cell
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Chloroplast structure
It is a double membrane organelle enclosing a fluid-filled space called the stroma.
Within the stroma are flattened sacs called thylakoids. Stacks of thylakoids are called
grana.

The thylakoids are

involved in capturing
solar energy via
pigments like
chlorophyll, while
carbohydrate synthesis
occurs in the stroma
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Mitochondria structure
It is a double membrane organelle enclosing a fluid-filled space called the matrix.
The inner membrane contains the key enzyme ATP synthase which is used to
synthesize ATP from the breakdown of energy rich molecules like carbohydrates
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Cytoskeleton
It is a network of interconnected filaments & tubules that extends from the nucleus to
the plasma membrane
It determines cellular shape & movement
Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, & intermediate filaments
1) Microtubules are composed of the globular protein tubulin. They are important for
maintaining asymmetrical cell shape (neurons) & complex cell movements: A)
transportation of secretory vesicles within the cell, B) movement of flagella & cilia, &
C) distribution of chromosomes during cell division
2) Microfilaments which are composed of the proteins actin (globular) & myosin (golf-
club shaped). They are involved in contractile mechanisms (muscle & cytokinesis)
contraction & as mechanical stiffeners for several cellular projections (microvilli)
3) Intermediate filaments are highly stable polymers. They primarily support the
nuclear envelope & the plasma membrane
Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Centrioles – Form the microtubule organizing centers in cell reproduction / division
(mitosis). Involved in assembling & disassembling microtubules necessary for mitosis
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Cilia & Flagella – cell movement or the movement of substances along the cell surface
Which of your cells contain cilia or flagella?
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
Evolution of the Eukaryotic Cell
Endosymbiotic hypothesis – hypothesis involving the engulfing (endocytosis) of
prokaryotic cells by a eukaryotic cell, forming some of the key life sustaining
organelles within the eukaryotic cell
 Chapter 3 – Cell Structure & Function
1. Mitochondria & chloroplasts are similar to bacteria in size & structure
2. Both organelles are bounded by a double membrane, in which the outer membrane
may be derived from the engulfing vesicle & the inner one from the prokaryotic
cell
3. Mitochondria & chloroplasts have a limited amount of genetic material, which is
arranged in a circular loop like bacteria
4. They both possess their own ribosomes, which resemble bacterial types, &
produce some proteins
5. The RNA base sequence of their ribosomes suggest a bacterial origin
 Chapter 2 – The Molecules of Cells
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Who coined the term “cellulae” or cell?
2. What does the cell theory state?
3. Why must cells be small?
4. What are all cells composed of?
5. What are the functions of the following structures: plasma membrane,
mitochondria, ribosome, peroxisome, Golgi apparatus
6. What are nucleoli, where would you find them, & what is their function?
7. What does the endosymbiotic hypothesis state?