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Chapter 3
Cell Structure

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 Introduction

• The cell is the basic unit of biological

organization
• Basic composition
– Protoplasm
– Cell membrane
– Organelles
• Eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic

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History of the Cell Theory

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 History of the Cell Theory

• Proposed in 1830s by Schleiden and

Schwann
• Modern cell theory
– Cells are the smallest complete living things
– All organisms are composed of one or more cells
– Cells arise only from other cells
– All existing cells are descendants of the first cells

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Anatomy of a Typical
Eukaryotic Cell

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 The Cell Membrane

• Double phospholipid layer with embedded

proteins
• Membrane transport: selectively
permeable membrane
– Osmosis
– Protein channels
– Active transport
– Fluid mosaic model

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The Cell Membrane

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 Cytoplasm of the Cell

• Mostly water with chemical compounds in

solution or colloid
– Solution vs. colloid
• Individual vs. clumped atoms or ions distributed in
medium
• Polar compounds go into solution
• Nonpolar compounds go into colloidal
suspension

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 The Nucleus

• Control center of the cell

• Nuclear membrane has pores to allow the
passage of substances
• Chromatin genetic material inside
nucleoplasm
• Nucleolus: site of ribosome formation

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 The Mitochondria

• Powerhouses of the cell

• Cristae: inner folds where cellular
respiration occurs
• Energy requirements of cell determine
cristae number

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 Lysosomes

• Digestive enzyme packages

• Function
– Digest stored food
– Maintenance and repair of organelles
– Suicide agents for old or weak cells

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 Endoplasmic Reticulum

• System of membranes that makes up

channels
• Connects with outer nuclear and cell
membranes
• Cisternae: sac like or channel like cavities

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 Endoplasmic Reticulum (cont’d.)

• Rough ER
– For protein synthesis
– Attached ribosomes
• Smooth ER
– Fat transport
– Sex hormone synthesis

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 Endoplasmic Reticulum (cont’d.)

• Golgi apparatus
– Collection of flat saclike cisternae
– Concentration and collection of cellular
compounds
– Storage warehouses of the cell
– Carbohydrate synthesis site

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 Ribosomes

• Distributed throughout cytoplasm

• Attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum
• No membrane covering
• Site of protein synthesis

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 Ribosomes (cont’d.)

• Protein functions
– Structure, enzymes or catalysts, immune
response
• DNA contains the code for a particular
protein
– DNA found in nucleus

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 Ribosomes (cont’d.)

• Transcription
– Messenger RNA copies DNA code and leaves
nucleus
• Translation
– Transfer RNA picks up amino acids
– Ribosomes link amino acids together

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Ribosomes (cont’d.)

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 Centrioles

• Centrosome: two centrioles at right angles

to each other
– Composed of nine sets of triplet fibers
• Form spindle fibers during cell division
• Guide duplicated chromosomes to
daughter cells

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 Cilia and Flagella

• Hairlike protrusions from cell membrane

• Nine double fibrils around two single
central fibrils
• Cilia move materials across cell surface
• Flagellum propels cell through a medium

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 Plastids of Plant Cells

• Chloroplasts
– Most common plastid
– Photosynthesis: conversion of light into
chemical energy
– Granum
• Made of thylakoids
• Connected by lamella
• Chromoplasts: carotenoid pigments
• Leucoplasts: store food
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 Plastids of Plant Cells (cont’d.)

• Cell membrane surrounded by cell wall

• Cell wall composed of cellulose
– Cellulose
• Dietary fiber
• Synthesized by Golgi bodies
• Animal cells do not have cell walls

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 Summary

• Discussed the modern cell theory and its

origins
• Discussed the different parts of eukaryotic
cells including the cell membrane,
cytoplasm, and organelles
• Discussed protein synthesis
• Described some of the differences
between plant and animal cells

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