CELL

COMPONENTS
CELL WALL
Rigid structure secreted outside the cell
membrane, that encloses and protects the cell
Found in most algae, bacteria and all plants and
fungi, but never in animals.
Allows H2O, O2, CO2 to pass into and out of cell
CELL MEMBRANE
The outer membrane of cells, composed largely of
phospholipids
Often called the plasma membrane in animals and
the plasmalemma in plants
It is essential because it helps regulate substances
that enter and exit the cell
 It also serves as a solvent for integral membrane
proteins that run across the bilayer
CYTOPLASM
The jelly-like substance composed of mainly water
and found between the cell membrane and
nucleus
The cytoplasm makes up most of the "body" of a
cell and is constantly streaming
Organelles are found here and substances like
salts may be dissolved in the cytoplasm
Supports /protects cell organelles
MEMBRANE- BOUND
ORGANELLES
NUCLEUS
Contains the cell's DNA (genetic information) in
the form of genes
Controls cell activities
Nucleoli/nucleolus
 Electron-dense structures in the nucleus that are
the site of ribosomal RNA transcription and
ribosome assembly
Biosynthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and
production (assembly) of ribosomes
nuclear envelope
 nucleus’ two-layered outer limit that separates it
from the cytoplasm
 contains ribosomes on its outer membrane
• nuclear pores
 they act as selective channels between the
cytoplasm and the inside of the nucleus
 selectively allowing molecules that contain the
correct localization signals to pass in and out
chromatin
Complex of DNA and histone proteins, which
makes up eukaryotic chromosomes
 2 general types: euchromatin – light-colored and
less dense; usually undergoing active transcription
heterochromatin – tightly coiled, dark and has
hoarse granules; genetically inactive
ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
(RER)
Part of the cell where protein synthesis takes place
Ribosomes are hence attached here.
It is the site of synthesis of membrane and
lysosomal proteins, and also proteins that are to be
exported from the cell
SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM (SER)
Part of the cell where phospholipids and steroids are
produced, and where detoxification of drugs occurs
Chemical reactions within the SER vary with the
type and location of cells. Examples:
-helps with protein folding and transport of synthesized
proteins
-glycosylation - which involves the attachment of
oligosaccharides.
-disulfide bond formation and rearrangement - to stabilize
the tertiary and quaternary structure of many proteins
MITOCHONDRIA
The main function of mitochondria in aerobic
cells is the production of energy by synthesis
of ATP
Other functions:
Processing and storage of calcium ions (Ca2+).
Apoptosis, i.e. the process of programmed cell
death
Regulation of cellular metabolism
Synthesis of certain steroids 
CHLOROPLASTS
Found in plant cell
Uses energy from sun to make food for the plant
(photosynthesis)
GOLGI APPARATUS
The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts and
packages macromolecules for delivery to other
organelles or secretion from the cell via exocytosis
Composed of sets of cisternae and numerous
vesicles
LYSOSOMES
Main sites of intracellular digestion. They enable the
cell to make use of nutrients. Their functions can be listed
as:
Autophagy - digestion of materials from within the cell.
Heterophagy - digestion of materials originating from
outside the cell.
Biosynthesis - recycling unwanted products of chemical
reactions to process materials received from outside the
cell.
Lysosomes also destroy the cell - usually after it has died.
PEROXISOMES
Similar to (but smaller than) lysosomes, the
metabolic functions of peroxisomes include:
Breakdown of fatty acids by beta-oxidation
Breakdown excess purines to urea
Breakdown of toxic compounds e.g. in the cells of
the liver and kidney
also play a role in the biosynthesis of certain
important molecules incl. cholesterol and (in liver
cells) bile acids derived from cholesterol
SECRETORY VESICLES
Transport and delivery of their contents (e.g.
molecules such as hormones or neurotransmitters)
either into or out of the cell, in both cases via
the cell membrane
Exocytosis - movement of the contents of
secretory vesicles out of the cell
Endocytosis - movement of the contents of
secretory vesicles into the cell
VACUOLE
Helps maintain turgor pressure pressure
(turgidity) inside the cell - which pushes the
plasma membrane against the cell wall
Plants need turgidity to maintain rigidity
Store food, water, waste (plants need to store large
amounts of food)
NON MEMBRANOUS
BOUND ORGANELLES
RIBOSOMES
Ribosomes interpret cellular information from the
nucleus and synthesize proteins
They are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum or
free in the cytoplasm
MICROFILAMENTS
Cytoskeletal proteins composed of sub-units of the
protein actin
They are the thinnest of the cytoskeletal filaments,
having a diameter of about 6nm, and mediate many
cell movements
Support the cell to maintainits structure and shape
This structure helps to define the shape of the cell
including the structure of any microvilli - Small finger
like projections on epithelial cells that move passively
and provide extra surface area for nutrient absorption
MICROTUBULES
Tubular cytoskeletal structures composed of
subunits of the protein tubulin
They are the largest of the cytoskeletal filaments,
having a diameter of about 25nm
 They play an important role in maintaining cell
shape and mediate the transport of vesicles and
other cellular components
Main "building blocks" forming the
cytoskeleton 
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS
Type of cytoskeletal filaments with several
different types of filament protein
 All these filaments are about 8-10nm in diameter
and they play a role in cell support
Intermediate filaments are important for
maintaining the mechanical structure of cells
CENTROSOMES
Contain the centrioles, which are involved in the
process of mitosis
The microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) found
in animal cells that is involved in assembly and
maintenance of the cytoskeleton
 During cell division, it divides to organize the two
poles of the mitotic spindle
CILIA
To facilitate either movement of the
cell or movement of something over the surface of
cells
Move substances through passageways
e.g. fallopian cells move ova towards the uterus
FLAGELLA
The main function of the flagellum of a human
spermatozoon (sperm cell) is to enable the sperm
to move close to the oocyte ("egg" cell) and orient
itself appropriately 
Movement of cell