Unit 2 The Cellular Basis of Life 2A. Basic Cell Structure and Function 2B. Viruses 2C. Membranes and Cell Transport 2D. Energy and Metabolism 2E. How Cells Harvest Energy 2F. Photosynthesis 2G. Cell Communication 1 Module 2A Basic Cell Structure and Function Cells are the basic units of life. Therefore, an understanding of cells is essential for an understanding of living organisms. In this module, we will take an introductory look at the structure and function of living cells. 2 Objective # 1 Objective 1 Describe the general plan of cellular organization common to all cells. In 1655, the English scientist Robert Hooke coined the term cellulae for the small box-like structures he saw while examining a thin slice of cork under a microscope. A few years later, a Dutchman named Anton van Leeuwenhoek observed and described numerous living cells. 3 4 Onion Cells Objective 1 5 Further study has shown that all cells have the following basic structure : A A thin, flexible plasma membrane surrounds the entire cell. The interior is filled with a semi-fluid material called the cytoplasm. Also inside are specialized structures called organelles and the cell s genetic material. 6 1
Objective # 2 Plasma membrane Cytoplasm Organelles Genetic material Identify the Basic Components of a cell List and explain the 3 principles of the cell theory. 8 Objective 2 In 1838 1839, the German scientists Schleiden and Schwann, proposed the first 2 principles of the cell theory: All organisms are composed of one or more cells. Cells are the basic units of life. Objective 2 About 15 years later, the German physician Rudolf Virchow proposed the third and final principle of the cell theory: All cells arise from pre-existing existing cells. This is now qualified with under the current conditions on earth. 9 10 Objective # 3 Describe some factors that act to limit cell size. 11 Objective 3 Why are cells so small? Because a cell usually has only 1 or 2 sets of genetic instructions, there is a limit to the volume of cytoplasm that can be effectively controlled. Methods used to transport materials and information inside the cell are efficient over short distances only. Problem with surface-to to-volume ratio. 12 2
Objective 3 Assuming constant shape, as an object gets bigger what happens to its surface area? What happens to its volume? What happens to its surface-to to-volume ratio? The S/V ratio decreases because volume increases at a faster rate than surface area. 13 The ratio of Surface Area to Volume gets smaller as this cell gets larger Cell radius (r) Surface area (4πr 2 ) 4 Volume ( πr 3 ) 3 1 unit 12.57 unit 2 4.189 unit 3 10 unit 1257 unit 2 4189 unit 3 Surface Area- /Volume 3 0.3 14 Objective 3 Why is decreasing S/V ratio a problem? In order to survive, a cell must exchange materials with its environment. Cell volume determines the amount of materials that must be exchanged, while surface area limits how fast exchange can occur. In other words, as cells get larger the need for materials increases faster than the ability to absorb them. 15 Objective 3 How have organisms become larger in spite of these problems? At first, single cells simply got larger. Average eukaryotic cell is 1,000 X larger in volume than average prokaryotic cell. Eventually, limits to size of individual cells were reached. 16 Objective 3 Coenocytic organisms sac of cytoplasm continued to increase in size but became multinucleate and evolved thin, flat shapes or long, narrow shapes to increase S/V ratio. e.g. some protists, fungi 17 Objective 3 Colonial organisms instead of one large mass of cytoplasm, body was divided into many small, similar cells, each with its own nucleus. e.g. some protists Multicellular organisms similar to colonial except cells became specialized to carry out specific functions. e.g. plants, animals 18 3
Objective # 4 Objective 4 Be able to describe the structure and Cytoplasm Ribosomes Nucleoid (DNA) Describe the structure of a function all cell parts shown on Pl b typical prokaryotic cell. Cell wall this diagram of a typical prokaryotic cell Flagellum Pili Plasma membrane Capsule 19 Copyright The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Fig. 4.4 Electron micrograph of a photosynthetic prokaryotic cell Nucleoid Cytoplasm Cell wall Plasma membrane 0.6 µm Photosynthetic membranes Courtesy of E.H. Newcomb & T.D. Pugh, University of Wisconsin 22 Objective # 5 Describe the structure of a typical eukaryotic cell. 23 Nucleus Nuclear envelope Nucleolus Nuclear pore Cytoskeleton Actin filament Microtubule Intermediate filament Centriole Cytoplasm Lysosome Be able to describe the structure and function of all cell parts shown on this diagram of a typical animal cell Ribosomes Plasma membrane Peroxisome Rough endoplasmic reticulum Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Microvilli Mitochondrion Ribosomes Exocytosis Vesicle Golgi apparatus 4
Rough endoplasmic reticulum Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus Ribosome Vesicle Chloroplast Be able to describe the structure and function of all cell parts shown on this diagram of a typical plant cell Adjacent cell wall Cell wall Plasma membrane Nucleus Nuclear envelope Nuclear pore Nucleolus Intermediate filament Central vacuole Cytoskeleton Intermediate filament Microtubule Actin filament (microfilament) Plasmodesmata Peroxisome Mitochondrion Cytoplasm Nucleus Repository of the genetic information Most eukaryotic cells possess a single nucleus Nucleolus region where ribosomal RNA synthesis takes place Nuclear envelope 2 phospholipid bilayers Nuclear pores control passage in and out In eukaryotes, the DNA is divided into multiple linear chromosomes Chromatin is chromosomes plus protein 26 Be able to describe the structure and function of the eukaryotic nucleus 27 Ribosomes Cell s protein synthesis machinery Found in all cell types in all 3 domains Ribosomal RNA (rrna)-protein complex Protein synthesis also requires messenger RNA (mrna) and transfer RNA (trna) Ribosomes may be free in cytoplasm or associated with internal membranes 28 Fig. 4.9 Copyright The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Ribosome Be able to describe the structure and function of ribosomes Large subunit Small subunit Endomembrane System A system of membranes that run through the cytoplasm and divide the cell into compartments where different cellular functions occur Present in eukaryotic cells only Components of the endomembrane system include: the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi, lysosomes, microbodies, vacuoles, and vesicles 30 5
Endoplasmic reticulum Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) Attachment of ribosomes to the membrane gives a rough appearance Synthesis of proteins to be secreted, sent to lysosomes or plasma membrane Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) Relatively few bound ribosomes Variety of functions synthesis, store Ca 2+, detoxification Ratio of RER to SER depends on cell s function Be able to describe the structure and function of the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum: 31 32 Golgi apparatus Flattened stacks of interconnected membranes (Golgi bodies) Functions in packaging and distribution of molecules synthesized at one location and used at another within the cell or even outside of it Cis and trans faces Vesicles transport molecules to destination 33 Be able to describe the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus: 34 Lysosomes Membrane-bound bound sacs that contain digestive enzymes Arise from the Golgi apparatus Enzymes catalyze the breakdown of macromolecules Destroy cells or foreign matter that the cell has engulfed by phagocytosis 35 36 6
Variety of enzymebearing, membraneenclosed vesicles One type are peroxisomes Contain enzymes involved in the oxidation of fatty acids H 2 O 2 produced as byproduct rendered harmless by catalase Microbodies Vacuoles Membrane-bounded bounded sacs that carry out various functions depending on the cell type There are different types of vacuoles: Central vacuole in plant cells Contractile vacuole of some protists Storage vacuoles 37 38 Nucleus Ribosome Nuclear pore Electron micrograph showing the large central vacuole of a plant cell Be able to describe the movement of proteins through the endomembrane system of a eukaryotic cell: Rough endoplasmic reticulum Membrane protein Newly synthesized protein 1. Vesicle containing proteins buds from the rough endoplasmic reticulum, diffuses through the cell, and fuses to the cis face of the Golgi apparatus. Transport vesicle Smooth endoplasmic cis face reticulum Golgi membrane protein Cisternae Golgi Apparatus 39 trans face 2. The proteins are modified and Secretory vesicle packaged into 3. The vesicle may vesicles for travel to the plasma transport. Secreted membrane, protein releasing its contents to the Cell membrane extracellular environment. Extracellular fluid Mitochondria Found in all types of eukaryotic cells Bound by membranes Outer membrane Intermembrane space Inner membrane has cristae Matrix On the surface of the inner membrane, and also embedded within it, are proteins that carry out oxidative metabolism Have their own DNA Be able to describe the structure and function of a mitochondrium: 41 42 7
Chloroplasts Organelles present in cells of plants and some other eukaryotes Contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis Surrounded by 2 membranes Thylakoids are membranous sacs within the inner membrane Grana are stacks of thylakoids Have their own DNA Be able to describe the structure and function of a chloroplast: 43 44 Endosymbiosis This theory proposes that some eukaryotic organelles evolved by a symbiosis between two cells that were each free-living One cell, a prokaryote, was engulfed by and became part of a larger cell, which was the precursor of modern eukaryotes Organelles that probably arose by endosymbiosis include mitochondria and chloroplasts Some eukaryotic organelles evolved through the process of endosymbiosis: 45 46 Cytoskeleton A network of protein fibers and tubes found in all eukaryotic cells Supports the shape of the cell Keeps organelles in fixed locations Dynamic system constantly forming and disassembling 3 Components of the Cytoskeleton Microfilaments (actin filaments) Two protein chains loosely twined together Movements like contraction, crawling, pinching Microtubules Largest of the cytoskeletal elements Dimers of α- and β-tubulin subunits Facilitate movement of cell and materials within cell Intermediate filaments Between the size of actin filaments and microtubules Very stable usually not broken down 47 48 8
Be able to describe the structure and function of the 3 components of the cytoskeleton: Centrosome Region containing a pair of centrioles Centrioles function as microtubule- organizing centers. They can initiate the assembly of new microtubules. Animal cells and most protists have centrioles Plants and fungi usually lack centrioles 49 50 A pair of centrioles. Each centriole is composed of 9 triplets of microtubules: Copyright The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display. Microtubule triplet Cell Movement Essentially all cell motion is tied to the movement of actin filaments, microtubules, or both Some cells crawl using actin microfilaments Eukaryotic flagella and cilia have 9 + 2 arrangement of microtubules Not like prokaryotic flagella 52 Be able to describe the structure and function of a eukaryotic flagellum. Cilia have a similar structure, except they are shorter and more numerous. A green algal cell with numerous flagella and a paramecium covered with cilia 53 9
Eukaryotic cell walls Plants, fungi, and many protists Different from prokaryote Prokaryotes - peptidoglycan Plants and protists cellulose Fungi chitin Plants primary and secondary cell walls 55 Extracellular matrix (ECM) Animal cells lack cell walls Secrete an elaborate mixture of glycoproteins into the space around them Collagen may be abundant Form a protective layer over the cell surface Integrins link ECM to cell s cytoskeleton 56 Extracellular matrix surrounding an animal cell Table 4.2 57 Objective # 6 Describe the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 59 60 10
Objective 6 Objective 6 organisms size Prokaryotes monera (bacteria) very small Eukaryotes all other organisms much larger (1 5 μm) (10 100 μm) complexity relatively simple more complex cell wall usually present (contains peptidoglycan) sometimes present (lacks peptidoglycan) 61 Prokaryotes Eukaryotes plasma always present always present membrane internal may contain complex system membranes infoldings of of fi internal the plasma membranes membrane but divides cell into usually lack specialized internal compartments membranes 62 membrane- bound organelles ribosomes cytoskeleton flagella Objective 6 Prokaryotes Eukaryotes absent present smaller and free in the cytoplasm absent solid flagellin; rotate larger and may be bound to ER present microtubules; bend 63 structure of genetic material location of genetic material Objective 6 Prokaryotes single, naked, circular DNA molecule in an area of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid Eukaryotes many linear chromosomes, each made of 1 DNA molecule joined with protein inside a membrane-bound bound nucleus 64 Objective # 7 Name and describe the types of surface markers that give cells identity. Objective 7 Cell surface markers allow the cells of a multicellular organism to recognize each other and to distinguish self from non-self. In this section, we will examine 2 types of cell surface markers: Glycolipids MHC proteins 65 66 11
Glycolipids: Objective 7 Are lipids embedded in the plasma membrane with cabohydrate groups attached Allow cells that are part of the same tissue to recognize each other and form intimate connections to better coordinate their functions. MHC proteins: Objective 7 Are proteins embedded in the surface of the plasma membrane. Allow cells of the immune system to distinguish foreign cells from the body s own cells so they can mount an attack against any foreign cells. 67 68 Objective # 8 Explain what cell s are, and discuss the following types of cell s: a) tight b) anchoring c) communicating Objective 8 Cell s refer to long-lasting lasting or permanent connections between adjacent cells. We will examine 3 types of cell s: 69 70 Objective 8a a) Tight s connect cells into sheets. Because these s form a tight seal between cells, in order to cross the sheet, substances must pass through the cells, they cannot pass between the cells. a. 2.5 µm Tight Adjacent plasma membranes Tight proteins Intercellular space Tight Junction Tight Anchoring (desmosome) Microvilli Intermediate filament Communicating Basal lamina 71 Courtesy of Daniel Goodenough 12
Objective 8b b) Anchoring s attach the cytoskeleton of a cell to the matrix surrounding the cell, or to the cytoskeleton of an adjacent cell. b. Anchoring Junction 0.1 µm Anchoring (desmosome) Intercellular space Adjacent plasma membranes Cdh Cadherin Cytoplasmic protein plaque Cytoskeletal filaments anchored to plaque Tight Anchoring (desmosome) Microvilli Intermediate filament Communicating Basal lamina 73 Dr. Donald Fawcett/Visuals Unlimited. Objective 8c c) Communicating s link the cytoplasms of 2 cells together, permitting the controlled passage of small molecules or ions between them. In animals, these s are called gap s; in plants they are called plasmodesmata. 75 Communicating Junction c. 1.4 µm Communicating Intercellular space Connexon Two adjacent connexons forming an open channel between cells Channel (diameter 1.5 nm) Adjacent plasma membranes Tight Anchoring (desmosome) Basal lamina Dr. Donald Fawcett/Visuals Unlimited. Microvilli Intermediate filament Communicating Plasmodesmata connect plant cells Table 4.4 77 13