Our Lady of Fatima University- Valenzuela City

College of Medicine

BIOCHEMISTRY
WRITTEN REPORT
(Cell Structure and Function)
1st year Group 1-F2
Batch 2022

Reporters:
ABAD, Aina Gene C.
ALLAM, Anthea M.

Group 1-F2 Members:

ABAD, Aina Gene C.
AGUDILLA, Princess Aika C.
ALEJANDRO, Edel Anne
ALLAM, Anthea M.
ARELLANO, Kirtcelle Grace N.
OBJECTIVES: I. Chemical and Molecular composition of
the cell
1. To be able to describe cell structure and
composition Q: What is the overall chemical and
molecular composition of the cell?
2. To identify the building blocks of the cell
(elements, components, biopolymers,
3. To explain cell as the basic unit of biology biomolecules.)

4. To identify the basic biomolecule function Cell is the basic unit of living organism. All
cells share common elements and
5. To identify the major intracellular functions. Major elements found in the cell
organelles and their functions includes:
6. To explain how cell organelles can be
identified
7. To explain the importance of knowing cell
composition, organization and functions of
its intracellular organelles.

OUTLINE:
I. Chemical and molecular composition of
the cell Other elements that is found in trace
amounts includes:
II. Building blocks of polymers
Copper Cobalt
III. Cell as the basic unit of biology
Zinc Lithium
IV. Major functions of cell biomolecules Selenium Strontium
Molybdenum Aluminum
V. Major intracellular organelles and their Fluorine Silicon
functions Iodine Lead
Manganese Vanadium
VI. Cell Identification
Arsenic Bromine
VII. Importance of cell composition,
organization and its organelle’s functions
II. Building Blocks III. Cell as the basic unit of biology
Q: What are the building blocks of these Q: why is the cell considered as the basic unit
polymers? of biology?
A cell is composed of: Cell is considered as the basic unit of life
because its serves as
A. Water- 70-85%
1. Protection and support
The principal fluid medium of cell
where chemical reactions takes place 2. Movement
B. Proteins- 10-20% 3. Communication
Proteins are classified as: 4. Cell metabolism and energy release
1. Functional Proteins (globular/enzymatic) 5. Heredity
– Act as enzymes to control metabolic
functions
IV. Major functions of cell biomolecules
2. Structural Proteins (fibrous)
– Form the cytoskeleton of the cellular Q: what are the major functions of these
organelles that serves as a cell adhesion of biomolecules?
molecules, carriers, pumps, Ion channels,
enzymes, and structural function
C. Lipids- 2% of cell mass
Lipids form the cell membrane and
intracellular membrane barriers that
separate the cell components. Fats stored in
cells are the main storehouse of energy
giving nutrients.
D. Carbohydrates- 1% of cell mass
The major role in nutrition of the cell/
major and immediate source of energy. Little
structural function as part of glycoproteins.
E. Ions
Provides inorganic chemicals for
cellular reaction among which is the most
important ions: Na+ , K+ , Cl- , Ca2+, Mg+ ,
PO4 - , SO4 - , and HCO3
V. Major intracellular organelles and their
functions
Q: what are the major intracellular
organelles and their functions?
Eukaryotic cells are distinguished from
prokaryotic cells by the presence of a
membrane-delimited nucleus.
The cell is therefore divided into two major
compartments: The Nucleus and Cytoplasm.
Its two major parts are the nucleus and the
cytoplasm. The nucleus is separated from
the cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane, and
the cytoplasm is separated from the
surrounding fluids by a cell membrane, also
called as the plasma membrane.
Cytoplasm and its organelles
The Cytoplasm is an aqueous solution
containing numerous organic molecules,
ions, cytoskeletal elements, and a number of
organelles. The jelly-like fluid portion of the
cytoplasm in which the particles are
dispersed is called the cytosol, and contains
mainly of dissolved proteins, electrolytes
and glucose. Dispersed in the cytoplasm are
neutral fat globules, glycogen granules,
ribosomes, secretory vesicles, and five
especially important organelles: the
endoplasmic reticulum, the golgi apparatus,
mitochondria, lysosomes, and peroxisomes.
Major Intracellular Organelles includes:
1. Cytosol- acts for metabolism and protein
synthesis (free ribosomes)
2. Cytoskeleton- for cell shape and movement,
also for intracellular transport.
Cytoskeleton provides rigid physical structures
for certain parts of the cell. It does not only
determines cell shape but also participate in cell
division, allows cell to move, and provides a
track-like system that directs the movement of
organelles within the cells.
3. Nucleus- The genome (22 autosomes and 2
sex chromosomes), for DNA and RNA synthesis.
The nucleus is the control center of the cells,
sends messages to the cell to grow and mature,
to replicate or to die. The nucleus contain large
quantities of DNA, which comprise the genes.
The genes determine the characteristics of the
cell’s proteins, including the structural proteins,
as well as the intracellular enzymes that control
cytoplasmic and nuclear activities.
4. Nuclear membrane
The nuclear membrane or also known as the
nuclear envelope, is actually two separate
bilayer membranes, one inside the other. The
outside membrane is continuous with the
endoplasmic reticulum of the cell cytoplasm,
and the space between the two nuclear
membranes is also continuous with the space
inside the endoplasmic reticulum.
5. Nucleolus
The nucleus of most cells contain one or more
highly staining structures called nucleolus. The
nucleolus does not have a limiting membrane,
instead, it is simply an accumulation of large
amounts of RNA and proteins of the types
found in ribosomes.
6. Mitochondria- for ATP synthesis by oxidative
phosphorylation, and Ca2+ storage.
The mitochondria are called the “powerhouse”
of the cell. Without them cells would be unable
to extract enough energy from the nutrients,
and essentially all cellular functions would
cease. It Is also concentrated in portions of the
cell that are responsible for the major share of
its energy metabolism.
The basic structure of mitochondrion is
composed mainly of two lipid bilayer- protein
membranes: an outer membrane and an inner
membrane. Many folding of the inner
membrane form shelves or tubules called
cristae onto which oxidative enzyme are
attached, it also provides a large amount of
surface area for chemical reactions to occur. In
addition, the inner cavity of the mitochondrion
is filled with a matrix that contains quantities of
dissolved enzymes that are necessary for
extracting energy from nutrients.
7. Endoplasmic reticulum - is a network of
tubular and flat vesicular structures in the
cytoplasm. This organelle helps process
molecules made by the cell and transports them
in their specific destination inside or outside of
the cell. Their walls are constructed of lipid
bilayer that contain large amounts of proteins,
similar to the cell membrane. The space inside
the endoplasmic reticulum is connected with
the space between the two membrane surfaces
of the nuclear membrane. Also, the vas surface
area of this reticulum and the multiple enzyme
systems attached to its membranes provide
machinery for a major share of the metabolic
functions of the cell.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- for synthesis
of lipids, also for calcium storage. It is a type of
endoplasmic reticulum that has no ribosomes
attached. It function for the synthesis of lipid
substances and for other processes of the cells
promoted by intrareticular enzymes.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum- for Translation
of mRNA into membrane associated proteins or
for secretion out of cell.
8.Free ribosomes- Translation of mRNA into
cytosolic proteins.
Ribosomes are small granular particles that
attached to the outer surfaces of many parts of
the endoplasmic reticulum. It is composed of a
mixture if RNA and proteins and they function
to synthesize new protein molecule. Where
these particles are present, the reticulum is
called Rough endoplasmic reticulum.
9. Lysosome- for Intracellular degradation. The
lysosomes provide intracellular digestive system
that allow the cell to digest damaged cellular
structure, food particles that have been
ingested by the cell, and unwanted matter such
as bacteria.
10. Peroxisome- for detoxification.
Peroxisome are similar physically to lysosome,
but they are different in two important ways.
First, they are believed to be formed by self-
replication (or perhaps by budding off from the
Golgi apparatus. Second, they contain oxidases
rather than hydrolase. A major function of
peroxisome is to catabolize long chain fatty
acids.
11. Golgi apparatus- for Modification, sorting,
and packaging of proteins and lipids for delivery
to other organelles within the cell or for
secretion out of the cell.
The golgi apparatus is closely related to the
endoplasmic reticulum. It usually composed of
four or more stacked layers of thin, flat,
enclosed vesicles lying near one side of the
nucleus. The golgi apparatus functions in
association with the endoplasmic reticulum. The
endoplasmic reticulum vesicle or “transport
vesicles” continually pinch off from the
endoplasmic reticulum and shortly fuse to the
golgi apparatus. In this way, substances
entrapped in the endoplasmic reticulum
vesicles are transported from endoplasmic
reticulum to golgi apparatus. The transported
substances are then processed in the golgi
apparatus to form lysosomes, secretory
vesicles, and other cytoplasmic components.
VI. Cell Identification The cell is composed of the two basic parts:
cytomplasm ad nucleus.
Q: How may a particular organelle of the cell
be identified? Why? Individual cytoplasmic components are
usually not clearly distinguished in common
Just like the organisms they make up, cells
H&E stained preparations; however, the
can come in all shapes and sizes. Nerve cells
nucleus appears intensely stained Dark blue
in giant squids can reach up to 12m [39 ft] in
or black.
length, while human eggs (the largest human
cells) are about 0.1mm across. Plant cells MITOCHONDRIA
have protective walls made of cellulose
(which also makes up the strings in celery
that make it so hard to eat) while fungal cell
walls are made from the same stuff as
lobster shells. However, despite this vast
range in size, shape, and function, all these
little factories have the same basic
machinery. Mitochondria typically appears as numerous
Microscopes have been crucial for eosinophilic structures throughout the
understanding organelles. In fact, without cytoplasm. It usually appears round or
microscopes, we wouldn’t even know that slightly elongated and are more numerous in
organelles existed! However, most cytoplasmic regions with higher energy
organelles are not clearly visible by light demands, such as near the cell membrane in
microscopy, and those that can be seen cells undergoing much active transport.
(such as the nucleus, mitochondria and These preparations along with TEM studies
Golgi) can’t be studied in detail because their indicate that the elongated shape is typical
size is close to the limit of resolution of of mitochondria and that their shape can be
the light microscope. The detailed structure quite plasctic and variable.
of organelles only became clear after the
development of the
transmission electron microscope (TEM),
which made it possible to look at individual
organelles at high resolution.
NUCLEUS
Specific mitochondrial staining such as that
shown here involves incubating living cells
with specific fluorescent compounds that
are specifically sequestered into these
organelles, followed by fixation and
immunocytochemical staining of the
microtubules. In this preparation,
microtubules are stained green and
mitochondria appear yellow or orange
depending on their association with the
green microtubules.
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
Endoplasmic Reticulum is an anastosoming
network of intercommunicating channels or
cisternae formed by a continuous
membrane. EM shows that some regions of
ER, are devoid of ribosomes, the small
granules that are present in the rough ER.
Both are continuous withone another. The
interconnected membranous cisternae of
the smooth ER are frequently tubular,
whereas those in the rough ER are flattened
sacs.
In a very thin cultured endothelial cell, both
are ER (green) and mitochondria (orange)
can be visualized with vital fluorescent dyes
that are sequestered specifically into those
organelles. This staining method with intact
cells clearly reveals the continuous, lacelike
ER present in all regions of the cytoplasm.
As seen with the TEM the cisternae of the
rough ER are flattened, with polyribosomes
on their outer surface and concentrated
material in their lumens. Smooth ER is
continuous with Rough ER but is involved
with a much more diverse range of
functions.
GOLGI APPARATUS
VII. Importance of cell composition,
organization and its organelle’s functions
Q: why is it important to know the
composition of the cell, its organization and
the functions of its intracellular organelles?
To be able to study the physiological
composition of the human body as well as its
origin.
- different cell structures have
different functions for example the
neuron and RBC. Both are cells but
they differ that in which the RBC has
no nuclei, no mitochondria, no
organelles and identified by the
presence of hemoglobin which binds
to oxygen for specific pathways of
the body. Whereas a neuron has
dendrites, nucleus, axon and
generates action potential that relays
information.
- Biochemical processes such as
Glycolysis, Anaerobic respiration,
Krebs/Citric Acid Cycle and oxidative
phosphorylation
- Maintain homeostasis
- Maintain life
- Transfer energy
To have a basis for abnormalities, its
diagnosis and treatment plan (cite examples
of diseases associated with cell)
Examples of Abnormalities detected through
cells includes:
Cancer – changes in cellular behavior that
allow the cells to divide uncontrollably
Sickle cell disease – a blood disorder
characterized by defects in erytrhocytes or
red blood cells. RBC’s contain hemoglobin
which binds to oxygen and carries it
throughout the bloodstream. In sickles cell
disease hemoglobin is mutated so the cells
cannot effectively carrt oxygen to tissues.
The mutation causes the cell to change it’s
shape rom round to a sickle shape further
causing problems in the blood.