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Hypotheses:
1. Compartmentalization allows the cell to carry out its functions efficiently.
2. Compartmentalization facilitates distribution of labour within the cell.
3. It allows the compartments to be identified and observed in more detail.
4. A more powerful microscope will allow for the structures within the cell to be seen in greater
detail.
Cytoplasm
Fluid component of cytoplasm is cytosol (pH 7.2). Cytosol makes up about 70% of the
cell volume and is a complex mixture ofcytoskeleton filaments, dissolved molecules, and
water. The cytosol's filaments include the protein filaments such as actin
filaments and microtubules that make up the cytoskeleton, as well as soluble proteins and
small structures such as ribosomes, proteasomes.
Ribosomes (20- 30 nm)
Ribosome is composed of rRNA and about 80 different proteins. It usually occur in two
subunits, large and small subunits. The rRNA of the ribosome is synthesised in the
nucleus while its protein is synthesised in the cytosol. Ribosomes are involved in protein
synthesis. While cytosolic proteins (free proteins) are synthesised by polyribosomes,
secretory and endoplasmic reticulum proteins are synthesised on the membrane of rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria are membrane-bound enzyme storage organelles. Mitochondrial enzymes
are involved in aerobic respiration, in which Pyruvate is oxidised to carbon dioxide and
water, leading to the production of: ATP (15 times more than Glycolysis) and Heat
energy for maintenance of body temperature The mitochondrion is enclosed in two
sheets of membrane. An outer sieve-like unfolded membrane and An inner membrane
which is thrown into long fingerlike folds called cristae. The number of cristae
corresponds to the cells energy needs. The space between the two membranes is the
intermembranous space while the space deep to the inner membrane is referred to as the
matrix.
Mitochondria are eosinophilic, elongated rod-like organelles measuring 0.5 to 1 micron
in diameter and 5 to 10 micron in length. They are wildly distributed in all cells but
occur abundantly in cell with very high energy needs (Heart muscles and kidney cells).
Integral proteins of the outer and inner membrane provide channels for selective passage
of small molecules, while Enzymes in the matrix and on the surface of the inner
membrane are involved in the production of ATP and heat for the cell.
The Matrix also contains Chromosomes, DNA, Ribosomes, Messenger RNA and
Transfer RNA which are utilized in the synthesis of small amount of proteins for use
within the matrix.
Lysosome
Proteasomes
Simple Lipids:
On hydrolysis gives fatty acids and alcohol (trihydric or monohydric)
Most sugars found in nature are disaccharides. These form when two monosaccharides
react.(Condensation) e.g. sucrose, maltose, lactose.
Monosaccharides can undergo a series of condensation reactions, adding one unit after
another to the chain until very large molecules (polysaccharides) are formed. This is
called condensation polymerisation, and the building blocks are called monomers.e.g
starch, glycogen, cellulose.
Properties: Energy
Enclosing DNA in the nucleus protects it and allows post transcriptional modifications to
the mRNA to occur before translation into a protein takes place in the cytosol.
hydrolytic enzymes in lysosomes have a lower optimum pH - the pH of a lysosome can
be lowered by H+ ATPase pumps in the membrane pumping H+ in. pH of the interior of
the lysosome is 5. pH of cytosol is 7.2. The hydrolytic enzymes are inactive in the
cytosol. Because of the cytosols pH of 5, it allows the hydrolytic enzymes to be active
allowing it to breakdown bacteria, denatured proteins. (Intralysosomal digestion).
They are both part of the endomembrane system.
When a cell makes proteins, it starts by transcribing RNA from the DNA located inside
its nucleus. RNA is then carried out of the nucleus into the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
There, the RNA meets up with a ribosome, which are attached to the ER. Though the
process of Translation, the endoplasmic reticulum makes polypeptides, which then fold
into the proper shapes to make proteins. RER is prominent in protein synthesising cells
such as; Pancreatic acinar cells, cells of the endocrine glands, plasma cells, fibroblast etc.
Proteins synthesised in RER are stored in: Lysosomes as enzymes or Granules where they
are stored temporarily before exocytosis or Used as integral membrane proteins. The
Golgi apparatus receives transport vesicles containing proteins from the endoplasmic
reticulum and packages modified proteins into condensing vesicles for transportation to
other organelle or to the cell membrane for release of modified proteins as secretory
products.
6. Discuss the benefits of using more powerful microscope vs a light microscope for viewing a
eukaryotic cell.
A more powerful microscope will have a higher resolution than a light microscope.
Therefore they are able of higher magnifications e.g. transmission electron microscope up
to 10 million times mag. While light microscope has up to 1000- 2000 mag. A more
powerful microscope will allow for the visualization of structures that would normally be
not visible by optical microscopy. E.g. the very atoms that make up the compartments
and hence the cell can be seen under an electron microscope.
Allows for three dimensional visualization of compartments.
Permeabilization - treatment of cells, generally with a mild surfactant, which dissolves cell
membranes in order to allow larger dye molecules to enter inside the cell.e.g methanol,
acetone (organic solvents dissolve lipids from cell membranes making them permeable).
Fixation - serves to "fix" or preserve cell or tissue morphology through the preparation
process. This process may involve several steps, but most fixation procedures involve adding a
chemical fixative that creates chemical bonds between proteins to increase their rigidity.
Common fixatives include formaldehyde, ethanol, methanol, and/or picric acid. Alcohol based
fixations dehydrate cells/tissues, causing proteins to denature and precipitate in situ.
Paraformaldehyde causes covalent cross-links between molecules, effectively gluing them
together into an insoluble meshwork.
Mounting - involves attaching samples to a glass microscope slide for observation and
analysis. Cells may either be grown directly to the slide or loose cells can be applied to a slide
using a sterile technique. Thin sections (slices) of material such as tissue may also be applied
to a microscope slide for observation.
Electron Microscopy