Cell structure and function part 2

Dr. Hiba Sabra

Cell structure and function
Content
• Eukaryotic cells

Plasme membrane

The cytoplasm

The cytoskeleton

The nucleus

The ER

Lysosomes

Mitochondria

Peroxisomes

The cell wall

Chloroplasts

Vacuole

ECM

Intercellular junctions
 Cell structure and function
Plasma membrane

Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that separates the internal

contents of the cell from its surrounding environment. Regulates the
passage of some substances

 Cell structure and function

The cytoplasm

• Comprises the contents of a

cell between the plasma
membrane and the nuclear
envelope

• Consists of 70 to 80 percent
water

• Has a semi-solid
consistency

• We can nd proteins,
sugars, amino acids, ions
within it
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 Cell structure and function
The cytoskeleton

A network of protein bers that helps to maintain

the shape of the cell, secures certain organelles in
speci c positions, allows cytoplasm and vesicles
to move within the cell, and enables unicellular
organisms to move independently

There are three types of bers within the

cytoskeleton:

Micro laments, aka actin laments

Intermediate laments

Microtubules

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 Cell structure and function
The nucleus

• Houses the cell’s DNA

• The nuclear envelope is a double-

membrane structure.

• Both the inner and outer

membranes of the nuclear
envelope are phospholipid
bilayers

• Nuclear pores: control the

passage of molecules and ions
 Cell structure and function
The endoplasmic reticulum
A series of interconnected membranous
tubules

• (RER) is so named because the

ribosomes attached to its cytoplasmic
surface

The ribosomes synthesize proteins

RER modi es the proteins

RER synthesizes phospholipids for the

plasma membrane
• (SER) continuous with the RER but has few or no ribosomes on its
cytoplasmic surface

Synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids and steroid hormones

Detoxi cation of medications and poisons

Storage of calcium ions

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Cell structure and function
The Golgi apparatus

It is a series of attened
membranous sacs

The sorting, tagging, packaging,

and distribution of lipids and
proteins take place in the Golgi
apparatus

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 Cell structure and function
Lysosomes
The lysosomes are the cell’s “garbage disposal

Digestive enzymes within the lysosomes aid the breakdown of

proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and even worn-out
organelles.

Destroy disease-causing organisms that might enter the cell

 Cell structure and function

Lysosomes
The lysosomes are the cell’s “garbage disposal

A section of the plasma membrane of the macrophage invaginates

(folds in) and engulfs a pathogen

The invaginated section, with the pathogen inside, then pinches itself
o from the plasma membrane and becomes a vesicle.

The vesicle fuses with a lysosome. The lysosome’s hydrolytic enzymes

then destroy the pathogen

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 Cell structure and function
Mitochondria
The “powerhouses” or “energy factories” of a cell

They are responsible for making adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s
main energy-carrying molecule

The formation of ATP from the breakdown of glucose is known as cellular

respiration

Muscle cells have a very high concentration of mitochondria because

muscle cells need a lot of energy to contract.
 Cell structure and function
Peroxisomes

Small, round organelles enclosed by single membranes.

They carry out oxidation reactions that break down fatty acids and amino
acids

A byproduct of these oxidation reactions is hydrogen peroxide, H O

2 2

Hydrogen peroxide is safely broken down by peroxisomal enzymes into

water and oxygen.

 Cell structure and function

The cell wall
The cell wall is a rigid covering that protects the plant cell, provides
structural support, and gives shape to the cell.

Fungal and protist cells also have cell

walls.

While the chief component of prokaryotic

cell walls is peptidoglycan, the major
organic molecule in the plant cell wall is
cellulose, a polysaccharide made up of
long, straight chains of glucose units.

When nutritional information refers to dietary ber, it is referring to the

cellulose content of food
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 Cell structure and function
Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts also have their

own DNA and ribosomes

Chloroplasts function in
photosynthesis

In photosynthesis, carbon
dioxide, water, and light
energy are used to make
glucose and oxygen

The chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which

captures the energy of sunlight for photosynthesis

 Cell structure and function

Vacuole

Plant cells have a large, central vacuole that occupies most of the cell.

The central vacuole plays a key role in regulating the cell’s concentration of
water

 Cell structure and function

Extracellular matrix

• Glycoproteins and the Protein

collagen= ExtraCellular Matrix
(ECM)

• Hold the cells together to form a

tissue

• Allows the cells within the tissue

to communicate with each other.

• Cells can also communicate with

each other by direct contact,
referred to as intercellular
junctions
 Cell structure and function
Intercellular junctions

Plasmodesmata (singular = plasmodesma)

are junctions between plant cells

Plasmodesmata are numerous channels

that pass between the cell walls of adjacent
plant cells, connecting their cytoplasm and
enabling signal molecules and nutrients to
be transported from cell to cell

Cell structure and function

Intercellular junctions

A tight junction is a watertight seal between two adjacent animal cells

This tight adhesion prevents materials from leaking between the cells
 Cell structure and function
Intercellular junctions

Found only in animal cells are desmosomes, which act like spot welds
between adjacent epithelial cells

They keep cells together in a sheet-like formation in organs and tissues

that stretch, like the skin, heart, and muscles.

 Cell structure and function

Intercellular junctions

Channels between adjacent cells that allow for the transport of ions,
nutrients, and other substances that enable cells to communicate