CHAPTER 3

CELLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

ROLE OF CELLS
Cytology is the study of cells Basic unit of all life Have all characteristics of life Can live independently of other cells

MICROSCOPES
Used to study structures too small to see with the unaided eye Types of microscopesSingle lens Compound light Transmission electron Scanning electron

PARTS OF THE CELL

Cells have structures that are specialized for their functions.

PLASMA MEMBRANE
Encloses cell contents Participates in cellular activities Bilayer structure
Phospholipids Cholesterol Proteins

ROLES OF PROTEIN IN CELL MEMBRANE

NUCLEUS
DNA
Instructions for every protein in the body

Gene
DNA instructions for one protein

Genetic code
The chemical language of DNA instructions:
sequence of bases (A, T, C, G)

Triplet code:
3 bases = 1 amino acid

CYTOPLASM
Material that fills the cell from the nuclear membrane to the plasma membrane Cytosol Organelles Endoplasmic reticulum Ribosomes Mitochondria Golgi apparatus Lysosomes Peroxisomes Vesicles Centrioles

* Be familiar with Table 3-1 on page 38.

ORGANELLES
Endoplasmic Reticulum- (ER) used for transportation highway of the cell

Ribosomes- make protein from instructions in the DNA

Mitochondria- makes energy (ATP) from nutrients (mostly glucose)

ORGANELLES
Golgi- packages materials to be shipped out of cell, or to another part of the cell Lysosomes- digest waste Peroxisomes- destroy peroxide which can build up in the cell

ORGANELLES
Centrioles- assist with cell division

Vesicles- secreted from golgi- transport bubbles

ORGANELLES ON THE SURFACE

Structures projecting from the cell surface used for motion Cilia Flagellum

VARIATIONS IN CELLS
Individual cells vary widely Size Shape Function

CLOSER LOOK INTO DNA

STRUCTURE OF DNA
DNA and RNA have similar structures Four nucleotides Adenine (A) Guanine (G) Cytosine (C) Thymine (T) or uracil (U) Sugar Ribose or deoxyribose Phosphate Nitrogen base

Segments of DNA are called genes.

Genes code for proteins

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
The Role of Gene Activation in Protein Synthesis
The nucleus contains chromosomes Chromosomes contain DNA DNA stores genetic instructions for proteins Proteins determine cell structure and function

PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
Transcription
Copies instructions from DNA to mRNA (in
nucleus)

Translation
Ribosome reads code from mRNA (in cytoplasm) Assembles amino acids into polypeptide chain

Processing
By ER and Golgi apparatus produce protein

TRANSCRIPTION

TRANSLATION

ROLE OF RNA
Protein synthesis Transcription
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is created from DNA

Translation
Transfer RNA (tRNA) interacts with ribosome and mRNA to create amino acid chain Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) makes up the ribosome

CELL DIVISION
Meiosis
Sex cells (eggs and sperm)

Mitosis
Somatic cells (all other body cells)

PHASES OF MITOSIS

MOVEMENT ACROSS CELL MEMBRANE

Travel across the membrane is based on several factors: Molecular size Solubility Electrical charge

OSMOSIS
Movement of water across membrane Helps to balance solute concentrations

PASSIVE TRANSPORT
Requires no energy from the cell, it naturally occurs Can be facilitated by membrane proteins, or simple (going between phospholipids)

ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Active transport Occurs when molecules are large or too polar to go through membrane unassisted. - Use transport proteins - or Vesicular transport
Endocytosis
Phagocytosis Pinocytosis

Exocytosis

ENDOCYTOSIS

STUDY!
You should be familiar with all of the examples/definitions in table 3-5

HOW OSMOSIS AFFECTS CELLS

Fluid solutions Isotonic- equal solute concentrations inside and outside of cell
Cells not affected

Hypotonic- low solute concentration outside of cell

Cells swell and may burst; in red cells = hemolysis

Hypertonic- high solute concentration outside of cell

Cells lose water and shrink; crenation

CELL AGING
As cells multiply, changes occur that may lead to their damage or death Free radical injury Enzyme injury Gene alteration or mutation Slowing cell activity Apoptosis