THE CELL

INTRODUCTION

Biochemistry plays a vital role in the functions of an organism's cell through various means,

one of them being the organelles in a cell. It is through the structure and functions of living

molecules (and some non-living), such as nucleic acids, amino acids, purine, and lipids that life is

even possible.

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the

smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing and is often called the building block of life.

Organisms can be classified as unicellular (consisting of a single cell; including most bacteria) or

multicellular (including plants and animals). Humans contain about 10 trillion (10 13) cells. Most

plant and animal cells are between 1 and 100 µm and therefore are visible only under the

microscope.

The cell was discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665. The cell theory, first developed in 1839
by Matthias Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, states that all organisms are composed of one
or more cells, that all cells come from preexisting cells, that vital functions of an organism occur
within cells, and that all cells contain the hereditary information necessary for regulating cell
functions and for transmitting information to the next generation of cells. There are two types of
cells: eukaryotic and prokaryotic. The prokaryote cell is simpler, and therefore smaller, than a
eukaryote cell, lacking a nucleus and most of the other organelles of eukaryotes.

The internal environmental of a living cell is made up of a fluid, jelly-like substance called
cytosol, which consists mainly of water, but also contains various dissolved nutrients and other
molecules. The cell contains an array of cellular organelles, each one performing a unique function
and helping to maintain the health and activity of the cell.
 Organelles are the components of the cell that synthesize new materials, recycle old
materials, transport molecules, and anything else that is essential to ensure the proper survival of
the cell and its propagation. Organelles incorporate all broad ranges of organic molecules
including nucleic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids to produce a viable cell

These organelles carry out specific functions that are needed for the normal functioning
of the cell. Plant and animal cells are similar in that they are both eukaryotic and have similar
types of organelles.
A cell carries out all the processes of the body which includes producing energy and
storing it, making proteins which are molecules which have roles in
metabolism, transportation of other molecules and DNA replication.

The cytosol and organelles together compose the cell’s cytoplasm. Most organelles are
surrounded by a lipid membrane similar to the cell membrane of the cell. The endoplasmic
reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes share a functional connectivity and are
collectively referred to as the endomembrane system. There are two types of ER: smooth and
rough. While the smooth ER performs many functions, including lipid synthesis and ion storage,
the rough ER is mainly responsible for protein synthesis using its associated ribosomes. The rough
ER sends newly made proteins to the Golgi apparatus where they are modified and packaged for
delivery to various locations within or outside of the cell. Some of these protein products are
enzymes destined to break down unwanted material and are packaged as lysosomes for use inside
the cell.

Cells also contain mitochondria and peroxisomes, which are the organelles responsible for
producing the cell’s energy supply and detoxifying certain chemicals, respectively. Biochemical
reactions within mitochondria transform energy-carrying molecules into the usable form of cellular
energy known as ATP. Peroxisomes contain enzymes that transform harmful substances such as
free radicals into oxygen and water. Cells also contain a miniaturized “skeleton” of protein
filaments that extend throughout its interior. Three different kinds of filaments compose this
cytoskeleton (in order of increasing thickness): microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and
microtubules. Each cytoskeletal component performs unique functions as well as provides a
supportive framework for the cell.
 Fig 1. The Modern Cell Theory

Modern cell theory can be divided into the following fundamental statements:

• All organisms are composed of one or more cells.

• Cells are the basic living unit of structure and function in organisms.
• All cells arise from other cells
• The genetic information required during the maintenance of existing cells and the production
of new cells passes from one generation to the other next generation
• The chemical reactions of an organism that is its metabolism, both anabolism and
catabolism, takes place in the cells.

OBJECTIVES: at the end of this chapter the students are able to:

1. Know the importance of the cell

2. Name the different organelles in the cell and their important parts and function.
3. Name different biomolecules and distinguish one from the other.
The cell
• Mitochonria is also\known as the power house of the cell.
Present only in Plant Cell
 TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF ORGANELLES,THEIR COMPOSITION AND
FUNCTIONS

Name Composition Function

Cell wall* Contains cellulose fibrils Support and protection

Plasma membrane Phospholipid bilayer with Defines cell boundary,

embedded proteins regulation of molecule
passage into and out of

cells

Nucleus Nuclear envelope, nucleoplasm, Storage of genetic

chromatin, and nucleoli information; synthesis of
DNA and RNA

Nucleolus Concentrated area of chromatin, Ribosomal subunit formation

RNA, and proteins

Ribosome Protein and RNA in two subunits Protein synthesis

Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranous flattened channels Synthesis and/or modification

and tubular channels of proteins and other
substances, and distribution
by vesicle formation

Rough ER Studded with ribosomes Protein synthesis

Smooth ER Ribosomes absent Various; lipid synthesis in

some cells

Golgi Apparatus Stack of membranous saccules Processing, packaging, and

distribution of proteins and
lipids`

Lysosome Membranous vesicle containing Intracellular digestion

digestive enzymes

Vacuole and vesicle Membranous sacs Storage of substances

Peroxisome Membranous vesicle containing Various metabolic tasks

specific enzymes
 Mitochondrion Inner membrane (cristae) bounded Cellular respiration
by an outer membrane

Chloroplast* Membranous grana bounded by Photosynthesis

two membranes

Cytoskeleton Microtubules, intermediate Shape of cell and movement

filaments, actin filaments of its parts

Cilia and flagella 9+2 pattern of microtubules Movement of cell

Centriole** 9+0 pattern of microtubules Formation of basal bodies

* ― Plants cells only

** ― Animal cells only

Biomolecules Present in the Cell

The cell is made up of the biomolecules :carbohydrates ,lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids. Carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids are made up of repeating units.
Carbohydrates has the monosaccharides, proteins the amino acids and the nucliec acids are
made up of nucleotides as its reopeating unit. Lipds on the other hand has no repeating unit
but is made up of fatty acid either saturated or unsaturated and glycerol or other high
molecular weight alcohol.

You will get to know more of these biomolecules on the succeeding chapters.