CHAPTER 2

STRUCTURE OF CELLS AND

ORGANELLES
MICROBODIES
CENTRIOLES
CILIA, FLAGELLA
MICROBODIES
STRUCTURE
~ small spherical membrane-bounded bodies
0.5-1.5 micrometer(10^-6m) in diameter.
~ a crystalline structure inside a sac which also
contains amorphous gray material.
~ bound by a single membrane that separates
their content from the cytosol (the internal
fluid of cell) and contain membrane protein
critical for various function
FUNCTIONS
They participate in the metabolism of fatty
acids and many other metabolites. E.g.
Peroxisome contain oxidative enzymes, for
example catalase which breakdown toxic
hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
Import proteins into the organelles and aid in
proliferation. E.g. Peroxisome can replicate by
enlarging and then dividing.
Peroxisome also take part in the production of
bile acid and proteins.
Glyoxysomes are found in the fat storage
tissue of germinating seedlings such as those
of peanut plants. Glyoxysomes contain
enzymes that catalyze the conversion of fat
and oil into sugars until the germinating
seedlings can produce their own sugars
through photosynthesis.
CENTRIOLES
STRUCTURE
Centrioles are found in animal cells
Centrioles are located outside the nucleus in a
material of poorly defined structure call the
centrosome
Centrioles are paired cylinders (about 0.3-0.5
micrometer long and 0.24 micrometer in
diameter) and held at right angles to each
other.

Each cylinders consists of nine microtubules in
a 9+0 arrangement







Centrioles have no central
microtubule.
FUNCTIONS
Act as organizers of spindle fibres and are
involved in the separation of chromosomes or
chromatids during cell division
Centrioles during cell division
In some cells, centrioles divide to produce
basal bodies from which flagella and cilia
develop (ciliogenesis)

FLAGELLA AND CILIA
STRUCTURE
Flagella and cilia are organelles with one end
projecting out of the cell and the other end
connected to a basal body below the plasma
membrane. Flagella of prokaryotes contain
the protein flagellin.
Flagella and cilia of eukaryotes have the same
basic structure, with 9+2 arrangement of
microtubules.
Flagella are longer and occur singly or in small
numbers whereas cilia are shorter and occur
in large numbers.
Refer to pg 85 Sasbadi
FUNCTION
Important in cell motility. For example,
flagellum in unicellular organisms Euglena sp.
and Clamydomonas sp.
To acquire food. For example, feeding current
generated by cilia in paramecium sp.
To propel fluids. For example, cilia lining the
respiratory tract to move mucus and trapped
particles.
LETS TAKE A QUIZ !!!
Bacterial flagella is made up of
1) Tubulin
2) Dynien
3) Flagellin
4) Vimetin

Which of the followings are the functions of
cilia and flagella?
1 locomotion
2 body defense
3 excretion
4 all of these

The arrangement of microtubules in
eukaryotic flagella is referred to as ..
Which of the following are the features
differentiates cilia and flagella?
1 cilia are shorter than flagella
2 flagella are lesser in numbers compare to cilia
3 cilia is distributed throughout the cell surface
4 all of these
In eukaryotic flagella, the arrangement of
microtubule is ?
1 ) 9+4
2) 9+3
3) 9+0
4) 9+2
ANSWERS
Flagellin
All of these
9+2
All of these
9+2