CELL (BIOLOGY)

Vocabulary
Eukaryote t] - A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a distinct membranebound nucleus.

Slime - dumblas, (lipnus), glitsiai, gleivs

Protozoan - Any of a large group of single-celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic organisms, such as amoebas
n (pl -ae , amoebas) zool. ameba
algae - n pl bot. dumbliai

compartmentalization - the act of distributing things into classes or categories of the same type
DNA - [d(eoxyribo)n(ucleic) a(cid).]
Organelle: "little organ". An internal organ of a cell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology) 2014.09.24
The cell (from Latin cella, meaning "small room") is the basic structural, functional and biological unit of all known living
organisms. Cells are the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently, and are often called the "building blocks of
life". The study of cells is called cell biology.
Cells consist of a protoplasm enclosed within a membrane, which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and
nucleic acids.
Organisms can be classified as unicellular (consisting of a single cell; including most bacteria) or multicellular (including
plants and animals). While the number of cells in plants and animals varies from species to species, humans contain about
100 trillion (1014) cells. Most plant and animal cells are visible only under the microscope, with dimensions between 1
and 100 micrometres.
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. Cells emerged on Earth at
least 3.5 billion years ago.

t] - A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a distinct membrane-bound

nucleus.
ANATOMY
There are two types of cells, eukaryotes, which contain a nucleus, and prokaryotes, which do not. Prokaryotic cells are
usually single-celled organisms, while eukaryotic cells can be either single-celled or part of multicellular organisms.

Prokaryotic cells

Main article: Prokaryote

Diagram of a typical prokaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cells were the first form of life on Earth, as they have signaling and self-sustaining processes. They
are simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells, and lack membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus.
Prokaryotes include two of the domains of life, bacteria and archaea. The DNA of a prokaryotic cell consists of
a single chromosome that is in direct contact with the cytoplasm. The nuclear region in the cytoplasm is called
the nucleoid. Most of the prokaryotes are smallest of all organisms. Most prokaryotes range from 0.5 to 2.0 m
in diameter.[
Prokaryotic cells were the first form of life on Earth, as they have signaling and self-sustaining processes. They are
simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells, and lack membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus. Prokaryotes include
two of the domains of life, bacteria and archaea. The DNA of a prokaryotic cell consists of a single chromosome that is in
direct contact with the cytoplasm. The nuclear region in the cytoplasm is called the nucleoid. Most of the prokaryotes are
smallest of all organisms. Most prokaryotes range from 0.5 to 2.0 m in diameter.

Eukaryotic cells
Main article: Eukaryote

Structure of a typical animal cell

Structure of a typical plant cell

Slime - dumblas, (lipnus), glitsiai, gleivs
Protozoan - Any of a large group of single-celled, usually microscopic, eukaryotic organisms, such as amoebas
n (pl -ae , amoebas) zool. ameba
algae - n pl bot. dumbliai

compartmentalization - the act of distributing things into classes or categories of the same type
DNA - [d(eoxyribo)n(ucleic) a(cid).]
Organelle: "little organ". An internal organ of a cell

Plants, animals, fungi, slime moulds, protozoa, and algae are all eukaryotic. These cells are about fifteen times
wider than a typical prokaryote and can be as much as a thousand times greater in volume. The main
distinguishing feature of eukaryotes as compared to prokaryotes is compartmentalization: the presence of
membrane-bound compartments in which specific metabolic activities take place. Most important among these
is a cell nucleus, a membrane-delineated compartment that houses the eukaryotic cell's DNA.
Plants, animals, fungi, slime moulds, protozoa, and algae are all eukaryotic. These cells are about fifteen times
wider than a typical prokaryote and can be as much as a thousand times greater in volume. The main
distinguishing feature of eukaryotes as compared to prokaryotes is compartmentalization: the presence of
membrane-bound compartments in which specific metabolic activities take place. Most important among these
is a cell nucleus, a membrane-delineated compartment that houses the eukaryotic cell's DNA.

This nucleus gives the eukaryote its name, which means "true nucleus". Other differences include:
The plasma membrane resembles that of prokaryotes in function, with minor differences in the setup.
Cell walls may or may not be present.
The eukaryotic DNA is organized in one or more linear molecules, called chromosomes, which are
associated with histone proteins. All chromosomal DNA is stored in the cell nucleus, separated from the
cytoplasm by a membrane. Some eukaryotic organelles such as mitochondria also contain some DNA.

Many eukaryotic cells are ciliated with primary cilia. Primary cilia play important roles in
chemosensation, mechanosensation, and thermosensation. Cilia may thus be "viewed as a sensory
cellular antennae that coordinates a large number of cellular signaling pathways, sometimes coupling the
signaling to ciliary motility or alternatively to cell division and differentiation." Eukaryotes can move
using motile cilia or flagella. Eukaryotic flagella are less complex than those of prokaryotes.

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/content/cell-parts 2014.09.25
show/hide words to know

ATP: adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the energy-carrying molecule of all cells... more

Chromosome: long thread-like molecule made of the chemical called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that are held together with
special proteins and are visible during cell division... more

Molecule: a chemical structure that has two or more atoms held together by a chemical bond. Water is a molecule of two
hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O)... more

Organelle: "little organ". An internal organ of a cell... more

Phospholipid: is a special kind of lipid that is made up of two fatty acid chains. These phospholipids are present in the plasma
membrane of any cell... more

Photosynthesis: a set of chain reactions that convert light energy into chemical energy. Photosynthesis also produces
energy-rich carbohydrates like starch. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast of a plant cell... more

Tomography: process used to make a tomogram (picture) which is a two-dimensional slice of a three-dimensional object. A
computer can then be used to build a three-dimensional image of the object by stacking the tomograms together.
Do all cells look the same?
Cells come in many shapes and sizes. Some cells are covered by a cell wall, other are not, some have slimy coats or elongated
structures that push and pull them through their environment. Some cells have a thick layer surrounding their cell. This layer is called
the capsule and is found in bacteria cells.
In our body there are many different kinds of cells. We are made up of about 200 different types of cells. Our body also has non- living
materials such as hair, finger nails, and the hard part of the bone and teeth. All these materials are made up of dead cells.
Taking a look inside a cell
Have you ever wondered what the inside of a cell looks like? If you think about the rooms in our homes, the inside of any animal or
plant cell has many similar room-like structures called organelles.
Both plant and animal cells have many of the same organelles. In some cases, like plant cells, there are more types of organelles than
are found in animal cells. All organelles in a cell perform different functions. Here are some names and descriptions of organelles
commonly found in cells:

Plasma membrane- The membrane enclosing a cell is made up of two lipid

layers called a "bilipid" membrane. The lipids that are present in the plasma
membrane are called "phospholipids."
These lipid layers are made up of a number of fatty acid building blocks. The
fatty acid that makes up this membrane has two different parts to it- a small
water loving head- hydrophilic head. Hydro stands for water and philic means
liking or loving. The other part of this fatty acid is a long water-repelling or
water hating tail.
This tail is hydrophobic- Hydro stands for water and phobic means fear.
The plasma membrane is arranged in such a way so that the tails face
each other on the inside and the heads face towards the outside of the
membrane.

Channels/pores- A channel in the cell's plasma membrane. This channel is

made up of certain proteins whose function is to control the movement of food
and water into the cell. These channels are made up of certain proteins.

Nucleus- The nucleus is the control center of the cell. It is the largest organelle

in the cell and it contains the DNA of the cell.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains all the information for cells to live,
perform their functions and reproduce.
Inside the nucleus is another organelle called the nucleolus. The
nucleolus is responsible for making ribosomes.
The circles on the surface of the nucleus are the nuclear pores. These are
where ribosomes, and other materials move in and out of the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- It is a network of membranes throughout the

cytoplasm of the cell. There are two types of ER.
When ribosomes are attached it is called rough ER and smooth ER
when there are no ribosomes attached.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is where most protein synthesis
occurs in the cell. The function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is
to synthesize lipids in the cell. The smooth ER also helps in the
detoxification of harmful substances in the cell.

Ribosomes- Organelles that help in the synthesis of proteins. Ribosomes are

made up of two parts, called subunits.

They get their names from their size. One unit is larger
than the other so they are called large and small subunits.
Both these subunits are necessary for protein synthesis in the cell. When the
two units are docked together with a special information unit called
messenger RNA, they make proteins.
Some ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm, but most are attached to
the endoplasmic reticulum. While attached to the ER, ribosomes make

proteins that the cell needs and also ones to be exported from the cell
for work elsewhere in the body.
Golgi complex- It is the organelle in the cell that is responsible for sorting and
correctly shipping the proteins produced in the ER. Just like our postal
packages, which should have a correct shipping address, the proteins produced
in the ER should be correctly sent to their respective address. It is a very
important step in protein synthesis. If the Golgi complex makes a
mistake in shipping the proteins to the right address, certain functions
in the cell may stop.
This organelle was named after an Italian physician-Camillo Golgi. He
was the first person to describe this organelle in the cell. It is also the
only organelle that is capitalized.

Mitochondria- This is the cells powerhouse. This organelle packages the

energy of the food into ATP molecules.
Every type of cell has a different amount of mitochondria. There are more
mitochondria in cells that have to perform lots of work, for example- your leg
muscle cells, heart muscle cells etc. Other cells need less energy to do
their work and have less mitochondrion.

Chloroplast- This is the organelle in which photosynthesis takes place. In this

organelle the light energy of the sun is converted into chemical energy.
Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells not animal cells. The chemical
energy that is produced by chloroplasts is finally used to make
carbohydrates like starch that get stored in the plant.
Chloroplasts contain tiny pigments called chlorophylls. Chlorophylls are
responsible for trapping the light energy from the sun.

Vesicles- This term literally means "small vessel". This organelle helps store
and transport products produced by the cell.
The vesicles are the transport and delivery vehicles like our mail and Federal
Express trucks. Some vesicles deliver materials to parts of the cell and others
transport materials outside the cell in a process called exocytosis.

Vacuole- Plant cells have what looks like a very large empty space in the
middle. This space is called the vacuole.
The vacuole contains large amounts of water and stores other important
materials such as sugars, ions and pigments.

Cytoplasm- A term for all the contents of a cell other than the nucleus. Even
though the cartoon drawings do not look like it, the cytoplasm contains mostly
water.
Some fun facts about water and the human body:

Adult bodies are about 50 to 65 percent water.

A childs body has a little more water at 75 percent.

The human brain is about 75 percent water.

Cell wall and Plasmodesmata- In addition to cell membranes, plants have

cell walls. Cell walls provide protection and support for plants.
Unlike cell membranes materials cannot get through cell walls. This would be
a problem for plant cells if not for special openings called plasmodesmata.
These openings are used to communicate and transport materials
between plant cells because the cell membranes are able touch and
therefore exchange needed materials.

Peroxisomes- These collect and safely break down chemicals that are toxic to
the cell

Centrioles- These are found only in animal cells and come into action when
the cells divide.

Lysosomes- Created by the Golgi apparatus, these help break down large
molecules into smaller pieces that the cell can use.

Cytoskeleton- Made up of filaments and tubules, it helps shape and support

the cell. It also helps move things move around in the cell. For artistic
purposes, the cytoskeleton is shown in just one place when in reality it is found
throughout the entire cell.

http://teachertech.rice.edu/Participants/dawsonm/cells/partsdef.htm

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/biology/biology/the-biology-of-cells/prokaryote-andeukaryote-cell-structure 2014.09.25

Be able to identify, and know the functions of all organelles and parts of cells. Compare and contrast bacterial, animal, and
plant cells in terms of size, function(s), and composition.
http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/rburkett/Cell%20structure%20and%20function.htm 2014.09.25
Photosynthetic bacteria have internal membranes containing chlorophyll.

Animal cell structure (a Eukaryote "true nucleus"). The following drawings and
photos show details of the organelles of cells.

A human white blood cell (leukocyte), showing some cellular organelles

Details of the cell nuclear membrane (scanning electromicrograph).

Drawing of a double stranded chromosome, composed of nucleosomes (DNA,

histone proteins, and spacer histones).

Photomicrograph of chromosomes of a plant (probably a root tip).

Three images of human sperm cells, the only human cells containing a flagellum.
TEM=transmission electromicrograph; SEM=scanning electromicrograph.

The role of ER, ribosomes, and protein synthesis, storage and transport is shown
here.

The Golgi apparatus is involved in cell secretions; secretory vesicles are also
shown, which break off the membranes and transport materials to the cell (plasma)
membrane.

A combination of RER and the Golgi complex are involved in secretion; proteins,
lipids and carbohadrates may be combined into lipoproteins, glycoproteins, and
glycolipids for secretion.

Details of protein transport between RER and Golgi complex.

Structure of ribosomes (made of ribosomal RNA).

Mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, allow us to survive in an atmosphere

containing oxygen, and also to derive energy from our food.

Centrioles are present in most animal cells, but are absent from plants. They play
major roles in cell division (mitosis & meiosis), and in controlling actions of cilia
and flagella.

The cytoskeleton is composed of protein fibers that give support to the cell, and
allow for movements of cells.

Details of cytoskeletal makeup. Actin is also an important component of muscle.

A flagellum ("whip" in Latin) is a long structure, found in sperm cells and many
other organisms. Flagella are composed of a '9+2 arrangement' of microtubules.
The basal body (a centriole) is composed of nine triple microtubules.

Cilia are shorter than flagella, and usually more numerous.

Plant cell structure.

Details of plant cell structure.

Details of chloroplast structure.

Plant cell walls are composed of cellulose, a starch (polysaccharide), unlike the
wall of bacterial cells.

The theory of endosymbiosis states that both mitochondria and chloroplasts are
bacteria (both contain DNA, bacteria-like ribosomes, and can reproduce & grow)
within the cells of Eukaryotes, and were phagocytized by ancestral eukaryotes.