S.A.

Khan

Cell Physiology. Structure and functions of the cell.

Properties of the cell membrane, cell juntions.
Intercellular signalling. Transport through the cell
membrane

What is a cell?
 Structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
 Some organisms (like bacteria) are unicellular-consisting of a single cell.
 Other organisms (like humans) are multicellular, or have many cells

Different types of cells?

 Stem Cells
 Blood Cells
 Fat Cells
 Cancer Cells
 Skin Cells
 Nerve Cells
 Endothelial cells

Cell Classification
Two Catagories for cells

 Prokaryotes
o Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms that do not develop or differentiate
into multicellular forms.
o The cells may be adjacent to one another because they did not separate after
cell division or because they remained enclosed in a common sheath or slime
secreted by the cells.
o Prokaryotes are distinguished from eukaryotes on the basis of nuclear
organization, specifically their lack of a nuclear membrane.
o Prokaryotes also lack any of the intracellular organelles and structures that
are characteristic of eukaryotic cells

 Eukaryotes
o Eukaryotes include fungi, animals, and plants as well as some unicellular
organisms.
o 10 times the size of a prokaryote and can be 1000 times greater in volume.
o Major difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is that eukaryotic cells
contain membrane-bounded compartments in which specific metabolic
activities take place.
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o Most important among these is the presence of a nucleus

o Eukaryotic organisms also have other specialized structures, called
organelles - small structures within cells that perform dedicated functions.
o Eukaryotes use the same genetic code and metabolic processes as
prokaryotes.

Cell Membrane

 Is the outer lining of a eukaryotic cell

 separates cell from surrounding environment
 Protects cell from surrounding environment
 Allow exchange of molecules in and out of the cell
 Made mostly from a double layer of proteins and lipids (fat-like molecules).
 Has other molecules embedded inside which act as pumps and channels
 Overall allows different molecules into and out of the cell.

Cytoskeleton

 Organises and maintains the cell shape

 Anchors organelles into place
 Helps during endocytosis
 Moves parts of the cells in processes of growth and mortility
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Cell Structures - Organelles

Inside the cell is a large fluid filled space called cytosol. Cytosol is where the cell organelles
reside.

 Cytosol :
o contains dissolved nutrient
o helps break down waste products
o moves material around the cell through a process called cytoplasmic
streaming,
o contains the nucleus, which often flows with the cytoplasm

 Nucleus
o Spheroid in shape
o Separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane (isolates and protects a
cell's DNA).
o The nucleus houses the cell's chromosomes and is the place where almost all
DNA replication and RNA synthesis occurs. It contains the cell’s genetic
material

 Ribosomes
o The ribosomes are protein production machines
o Can float freely in the cytoplasm, or sometimes bound to endoplasmic
reticulum.
o Each ribosome is a large complex comprised of many molecules, including
RNAs and proteins, and is responsible for processing the genetic instructions
carried by a mRNA.
o The process of converting a mRNA's genetic code into the exact sequence of
amino acids that make up a protein is called translation.
o Protein synthesis is extremely important to all cells, and so a large number of
ribosomes - sometimes hundreds or even thousands - can be found throughout
a cell.

 Mitochondria
o Mitochondria are the power generators of the cell
o Contain their own genome that is separate and distinct from the nuclear
genome of a cell.
o Mitochondria have two functionally distinct membrane systems separated by a
space:
- the outer membrane, which surrounds the whole organelle, and
- the inner membrane that is thrown into folds or shelves that project
inward. (cristae)
o Number and shape of cristae in mitochondria differs depending on the tissue
and organism
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 Endoplasmic Reticulum
o The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the transport network into the cell.
o The ER has two forms:
- the rough ER, and
- the smooth ER.
o The rough ER has ribosomes adhering to its outer surface, while the smooth
ER does not.
o Translation of the mRNA for those proteins that will either stay in the ER or
be exported (moved out of the cell) occurs at the ribosomes attached to the
rough ER.
o The smooth ER serves as the recipient for those proteins
o synthesized in the rough ER.

 Golgi Apparatus
o Proteins are passed from ER to the Golgi apparatus for:
- further processing,
- packaging, and
- transport
o Lysosomes and peroxisomes are the disposal system of a cell.
o Both organelles are somewhat spherical and bound by a single membrane and
rich in digestive enzymes.

 Lysosomes
o The lysosome functions:
- to digest foreign bacteria that invade a cell;
- to help to recycle membrane organelles
o - to help repair damage to the plasma membrane by serving as a membrane
patch

Junctions Between Cells

 Tight Junctions
o They prevent the passage of molecules and ions through the space between
cells. So materials must actually enter the cells (by diffusion or active
transport) in order to pass through the tissue.
o They block the movement of integral membrane proteins (red and green ovals)
between the apical and basolateral surfaces of the cell. As a result the special
functions of each surface can be preserved.

 Adherens Juntions (made of cadherins)

o provide strong mechanical attachments between adjacent cells.
o They hold cardiac muscle cells.
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o They hold epithelial cells together.

o Responsible for the contact inhibition.
o Some adherens junctions are present in narrow bands connecting adjacent
cells.
o Others are present in discrete patches holding the cells together.

 Gap Junctions
o intercellular channels (1.5-2.0 nm in diameter). These permit the free passage
between the cells of ions and small molecules.
o Constructed from 4 (/6) copies of one of a family of a transmembrane proteins
called connexins.
o Gap junctions permit changes in membrane potential to pass from cell to cell.

 Desmosomes
o Desmosomes are localized patches that hold two cells tightly together. They
are common in epithelia (e.g., the skin)