Cell Structure and Function Notes by Chad Farner

Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

farnerc1 — 2015-12-15 20:18:51 UTC

There are two main types of cells

Prokaryotes are small, single-celled, and don't have a nucleus

Eukaryotes have a nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and can be found in single-celled and multi-celled organisms

Eukaryotes have many structures. Below is a list of some of them, including their functions

farnerc1 — 2015-12-15 20:20:51 UTC

Cell Membranes - semi-permeable membrane that controls what enters and leaves the cell

Cytoplasm - the jelly-like fluid and organelles inside the cell

Cytoskeleton - network of filaments inside the cell that give it shape, support, and help it move

Ribosomes - build proteins

Mitochondria - convert sugars to ATP to supply the cell with energy

Smooth and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum - makes and transports proteins using its flattened membrane

Golgi Bodies - processes proteins and packages them to prepare for export

Lysosomes - recyclers that use enzymes to break down worn-out cell parts and invaders

Nucleus - controls the cell's activities and contains its DNA

Chloroplasts - structures found in plant cells that perform photosynthesis for plants

Cell Wall - structures found on the outside of plant cells that provide strength and support

Large Central Vacuoles - structures found in plant cells that store excess water and materials

How Cells Work

farnerc1 — 2015-12-15 20:32:03 UTC

You can think of a cell like a protein making factory. The cell wall/ membrane acts as the building for the factory. The factory's job is to produce proteins. The nucleus controls what proteins are produced and when. It is the job of the ribosome to make the proteins. Some ribosomes are attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) . The ER transports the proteins throughout the cell on conveyor-like membranes. Golgi bodies take the proteins, process them, and then package them for export either to another part of the cell or out of the cell. The cell is powered by mitochondria which take sugars and convert it to ATP - the chemical that all cells use for power. All of this occurs in the cytoplasm inside the cell membrane. The cytoskeleton acts like pillars and struts that give the cell shape. When parts need to be recycled, enzymes inside lysosomes break them down so that they can be reused. In plant cells, the sugar that mitochondria use is produced through photosynthesis inside of the chloroplasts. The sugar for animal cells comes from the food they eat. Large central vacuoles act as storage units, keeping water and sugars stored until a plant needs them for energy or photosynthesis. Finally, the cell wall provides additional support for plant cells.

farnerc1 — 2015-12-15 21:04:57 UTC

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farnerc1 — 2015-12-15 21:08:28 UTC