Chapter 6 : Cell structure and function

of eukaryotic cells
FOCUS:
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi apparatus
Lysosomes
Vacuoles
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Cytoskeleton
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 Nucleus
Nucleus contains most of the genes in the
eukaryotic cell.
In eukaryotic cell, the organelle is about 5 m in
diameter and enclosed with a nuclear envelope.
The nuclear envelope is a double membrane.
The envelope is perforated with pores. The
pores regulates the entry and exit of proteins
and RNAs.

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 Nucleus
Within the nucleus, the DNA is organized into
discrete units called chromosomes.
Chromatin is part of chromosome comprised of
coiling of DNA and protein complexes.
During cell division, chromosomes coils
(condense) becoming a thick structure that
could be distinguished as separate structures.
But in non-dividing nucleus, chromosomes
appear as mass of densely stained granules and
fibers known as nucleolus.
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Protein
 Ribosomes
Ribosomes are complexes made of ribosomal RNA
and protein.
Ribosomes are responsible to carry out protein
synthesis.
Ribosomes could be found suspended in the cytosol
or bound with endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
Proteins made from free ribosomes usually
function within cytosol. For example enzyme for
sugar breakdown.
Proteins made from bounded ribosomes usually
will be packaged and exported. For example
enzymes secreted by pancreas.
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 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an extensive network
of membrane. ER consists of a network of
membranous tubules and sacs called cisternae.
There are two regions of ER that differ in structure
and function; smooth ER and rough ER.
Smooth ER is lacking of ribosomes at its outer
surface.
Rough ER is studded with ribosomes at its outer
surface and appears rough through the electron
microscope.

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 Smooth ER
Smooth ER functions in diverse metabolic
processes which includes:
1. Synthesis of lipid
2. Metabolism of carbohydrate
3. Detoxification of drugs and poison
4. Storage of calcium ions

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 Rough ER
Rough ER has two main functions:
1. Synthesizing secretory proteins. For example
insulin from pancreatic cells. Proteins
synthesized usually will enter the lumen of
rough ER. These proteins will also link with
carbohydrate covalently. These proteins will be
transported outside the cell through transport
vesicles.
2. Synthesizing membrane.

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 Golgi Apparatus
The golgi apparatus consists of flattened
membranous sacs cisternae look alike. These
sacs separates its internal space from cytosol.
Golgi apparatus act as a warehouse for
receiving, sorting, shipping and manufacturing.
Products of ER such as proteins are modified and
stored before sending to other destination.
There are two sides/faces of golgi apparatus
that are involved in receiving and shipping, the
cis face and trans face.
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Cisternae/sacs Cis-face

trans-face
 Lysosomes
Lysosomes are membranous sac containing
hydrolytic enzymes that animal cell uses to digest
(hydrolyze) macromolecules.
Lysosomes arises from budding of the trans-face of
golgi apparatus.
Lysosomes involved in a variety of intracellular
digestion (digestion that occurs inside the cell).
Organisms such as amoeba and protists engulf
smaller organism or food particles through
phagocytosis. When food particles enters the
organism, lysosomes will fused to digest the food.

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Lysosomes digesting food
 Vacuoles
Vacuoles are large vesicles derived from
endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus.
Vacuoles perform a variety of functions in a cell:
1. As food vacuole. For example during phagocytosis
process mentioned earlier.
2. Contractile vacuole. For example in freshwater
protists maintain suitable concentration of ions
and molecules inside cell by pumping excess water
out from the cell.
3. Storage vacuoles. For example in most plants cell
have vacuoles for protein storage (i.e. in seeds)
and compounds that are poisonous or
unpalatable to animals.
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Plant cells vacuole Vacuoles
Relationships among organelles of the endomembrane system :
For example in secretion of insulin in pancreatic cells
In pancreatic cell, the rough ER
synthesize hormone insulin
Hormone insulin is
transported to golgi
apparatus (enters
through cis face)
Hormone insulin
is transported to
outside of the
cell as lysosomes
through trans
face of golgi
apparatus