18 Cell Biology

According to this model, the cell membrane consists of a highly viscous fluid matrix of two layers of phospholipid
molecules. These serve as relatively impermeable barrier to the passage of most water soluble molecules. Protein
molecules occur in the membrane, but not in continuous layer; Instead, these occur as separate particles asymmetrical
arranged in a mosaic pattern. Boundary lipid

Some of these are loosely bound at the

polar surfaces of lipid layers, called
Polar end
peripheral or extrinsic proteins. Others
penetrate deeply into the lipid layer called Non-polar end
Lipid
integral or intrinsic proteins. Some of the bilayer
integral proteins penetrate through the
phospholipid layers and project on both the
surface. These are called trans membrane or
tunnel proteins (glycophorins). Singly or in Intrinsic protein
groups, they function as channels for passage
Hydrophobic tail
of water ions and other solutes. The channels Lipid
Hydrophilic head Intrinsic Extrinsic
may have gate mechanism for opening in protein proteins
response to specific condition. The Fig : Fluid-mosaic model of the plasma membrane. Proteins floating in a sea of
lipid. Some proteins span the lipid bilayer, others are exposed only to one surface
carbohydrates occur only at the outer surface or the other (Modified after De Robertis et al.; 1975).
of the membrane. Their molecules are
covalently linked to the polar heads of some lipid molecules (forming glycolipids) and most of the proteins exposed at
outer surface (forming glycoproteins).
The sugar protions of glycolipids and glycoproteins are involved in recognition mechanisms :–
(a) Sugar recognition sites of two neighbouring cells may bind each other causing cell to cell adhesion. This enables
cells to orientate themselves and to form tissues.
(b) Through glycoproteins, bacteria recognise each other. e.g., female bacteria are recognised by male bacteria.
(c) These provide the basis of immune response and various control system, where glycoproteins act as antigens.
Lipid and integral proteins are amphipathic in nature i.e., they have hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups with in the same
molecules. The NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) and ESR (Electron spin resonance) studies showed that the membrane
is dynamic. The lipid tails show flexibility. The molecule can rotate or show flip flop motion.
Difference between protein types
Extrinsic Protein Intrinsic Protein
These are associated with surface only. These lie throughout phospholipid matrix and project on both
surfaces, also called transmembrane or tunnel protein.
They form about 30% of the total membrane protein. They form about 70% of total membrane proteins.
Example – Spectrin in red blood cells & ATPase in Example – Rhodopsin in retinal rod cells.
mitochondria.

(5) Membrane protein can be of following types with different functions

(i) Carrier molecules : These bind with the specific molecules into or out of the cell. This provides selective
exchange of materials. The carrier protein molecules are called “permeases” e.g., Na+ – K+ pump, Na+– sugar transport.
 Cell Biology 19
(ii) Receptor molecules : The glycoproteins on the cell surface act as receptors that recognize and bind with
specific molecules.
(iii) Enzyme molecules : The inner mitochondrial membrane carrier enzyme comprising the electron transport
chain for cellular respiration.
(6) Cell membranes are fluid and dynamic due to
(i) The constituent molecules can move freely in the membrane.
(ii) The cell membranes are constantly renewed during the cells life.
(iii) They can repair minor injuries.
(iv) They expand and contract during cell movement and during change in shape.
(v) They allow interactions of cells such as recognition of self and fusion of cells.
(7) Membrane permeability : According to permeability, membranes are classified as –
(i) Permeable membrane : They allow both solvent and solute molecules or ions through them. e.g., cellulose wall,
lignified cell walls.
(ii) Impermeable membrane : They do not allow solute and solvent molecules. e.g., heavily cutinised or
suberinised cell walls in plants.
(iii) Semi-permeable membrane : They allow solvent molecules only. e.g., membranes of colloidion, parchment
paper and copper ferrocyanide membranes.
(iv) Differentially permeable membrane : All membranes found in plants allow some solutes to pass through them
along with the solvent molecules. e.g., plasma membrane, tonoplast (vacuolar membrane) etc.
(8) Intercellular communications/modification of plasma membrane/following structures are derived from
plasma membrane
(i) Microvilli : They are fingers like evaginations of 0.1  m diameter, engaged in absorption. e.g., intestinal cells,
hepatic cell, mesothelial cells. The surface having microvilli is called striated border or brush border.
(ii) Lomasomes : They are plasmalemma foldings found in fungal cells.
(iii) Mesosomes : It serves as site for cellular respiration in prokaryotes.
(iv) Tight junctions : Plasma membrane of two adjacent cells are fused at a series of points with a network of
ridges or sealing strands. e.g., capillaries, brain cells collecting tubules etc.
(v) Plasmodesmata : They are protoplasmic bridges amongst plant cells, which occur in area of cell wall pits. It
was discovered and reported by Tangle and Strasburger respectively.
(vi) Desmosomes : concerned with cell adherence.
(9) Functions
(i) They control the flow of material through them and provides passage for different substances.
(ii) It is differentially permeable, solute particles (1-15 Å) can pass through it.
(iii) It is not only provides mechenical strength but also acts as a protective layer.
(iv) Plasma membrane is responsible for the transportation of materials, molecules, ions etc.
(v) It helps in osmoregulation.
20 Cell Biology
(vi) Diffusion of gases take place through plasma membrane by simple and facilitated diffusion.
(vii) Transport of ions, small polar molecules through active (energy used) and passive transport (energy not used).
(viii) Gases like O 2 and CO 2 diffuse rapidly in solutions through membranes.
(ix) Ions and small polar molecules diffuse slowly through the membranes.
(x) Some solute molecules or ions first bind with certain specific carrier or transport proteins called permeases.
(xi) Water as well as some solute molecules and ion pass through membranes pores; pores are always bordered by
channel proteins.
(xii) When diffusion takes place through channel, called simple diffusion and through carrier proteins, called
facilitated diffusion.
(10) Membrane transport : It is passage of metabolites, by-products and biochemicals across biomembrane.
Membrane transport occurs through four methods–passive, facilitated, active and bulk. Size of the particles passing
through plasmalemma is generally 1 – 15 Å.
(i) Passive transport : No energy spent. Passive transport occurs through diffusion and osmosis.
(a) Diffusion : It is movement of particles from the region of their higher concentration or electrochemical potential
to the region of their lower concentration or electrochemical potential. Electrochemical potential operates in case of
charged particles like ions. Diffusion can be observed by opening a bottle of scent or ammonia in one corner, placing a
crystal of copper sulphate in a beaker of water or a crystal of KMnO 4 on a piece of gelatin. Simple diffusion does not
require carrier molecules.
Independent Diffusion : In a system having two or more diffusion substances, each individual substance will
diffuse independent of others as per gradient of its own concentration, diffusion pressure or partial pressure form region of
higher one to region of lower one.
Rate of diffusion is proportional to difference in concentration and inversely to distance between the two ends of the
system, inversely to square root of relative density of substance and density of medium, directly to temperature and
pressure.
(b) Osmosis is diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane that occurs under the influence of an
osmotically active solution.
(c) Mechanism of passive transport : Passive transport can continue to occur if the absorbed solute is immobilised.
Cations have a tendency to passively pass from electropositive to electronegative side. While anions can pass from
electronegative to electropositive side. There are two modes of passive transports.
Lipid matrix permeability : Lipid soluble substances pass through the cell membrane according to their solubility
and concentration gradient, e.g., triethyl citrate, ethyl alcohol, methane.
Hydrophillic membrane channels : They are narrow channels formed in the membrane by tunnel proteins. The
channels make the membrane semipermeable. Water passes inwardly or outwardly from a cell through these channels
according to osmotic gradients. CO 2 and O 2 also diffuse through these channels as per their concentration gradients.
Certain small ions and other small water soluble solutes may also do so.
(d) Ultrafiltration is fine filtration that occurs under pressure as from blood capillaries, epithelia and endothelia. It
is of two types : –
 Paracellular through leaky junctions or gaps in between cells.
 Cell Biology 21
 Transcellular through fenestrations in the cells. ‘Dialysis’ is removal of waste products and toxins from blood by
means of diffusion between blood and an isotonic dialysing solution.
(e) Facilitated transport or Facilitated diffusion : It is passage of substances along the concentration gradient
without expenditure of energy that occurs with the help of special permeating substances called permeases. Permeases
form pathways for movement of certain substances without involving any expenditure of energy. At times certain
substances are transported alongwith the ones requiring active transport. The latter phenomenon called cotransport.
Facilitated transport occurs in case of some sugars, amino acids and nucleotides.
(ii) Active transport : It occurs with the help of energy, usually against concentration gradient. For this, cell
membranes possess carriers and gated channels.
(a) Carrier particles or Proteins : They are integral protein particles which have affinity for specific solutes. A
solute particles combines with a carrier to form carrier solute complex. The latter undergoes conformational change in
such a way as to transport the solute to the inner side where it is released into cytoplasm.
(b) Gated channels : The channels are opened by either change in electrical potential or specific substances, e.g.,
Calcium channels.
Active transport systems are also called pumps, e.g., H  pump, K  pump, Cl  pump, Na   K  pump. The
pumps operate with the help of ATP. K   H  exchange pump occurs in guard cells. Na   K  exchange pump
operates across many animal membranes. For every ATP hydrolysed, three Na  ions are passed out while two K  ions
are pumped in. Sea Gulls and Penguins operate Na   K  pump for excreting NaCl through their nasal glands.
Active transport of one substance is often accompanied by permeation of other substances. The phenomenon is
called secondary active transport. It is of two main types, cotransport (e.g., glucose and some amino acids alongwith
inward pushing of excess Na  ) and counter-transport ( Ca 2  and H  movement outwardly as excess Na  passes
inwardly).
(iii) Bulk transport : It is transport of large quantities of micromolecules, macromolecules and food particles
through the membrane. It is accompanied by formation of transport or carrier vesicles. The latter are endocytotic and
perform bulk transport inwardly. The phenomenon is called endocytosis. Endocytosis is of two types, pinocytosis and
phagocytosis. Exocytic vesicle perform bulk transport outwardly. It is called exocytosis. Exocytosis performs secretion,
excretion and ephagy.
(a) Pinocytosis : (Lewis, 1931). It is bulk intake of fluid, ions and molecules through development of small
endocytotic vesicles of 100 – 200 nm in diameter. ATP, Ca 2  , fibrillar protein clathrin and contractile protein actin are
required. Fluid-phase pinocytosis is also called cell drinking. It is generally nonselective. For ions and molecules the
membrane has special receptor or adsorptive sites located in small pits. They perform adsorptive pinocytosis. After
coming in contact with specific substance, the area of plasma membrane having adsorptive sites, invaginates and forms
vesicle. The vesicle separates. It is called pinosome. Pinosome may burst in cytosol, come in contact with tonoplast and
pass its contents into vacuole, form digestive vacuole with lysosome or deliver its contents to Golgi apparatus when it is
called receptosome.
(b) Phagocytosis : (Metchnikoff, 1883). It is cell eating or ingestion of large particles by living cells, e.g., white
blood corpuscles (neutrophils, monocytes), Kupffer’s cells of liver, reticular cells of spleen, histiocytes of connective
tissues, macrophages, Amoeba and some other protists, feeding cells of sponges and coelentrates. Plasma membrane has
receptors. As soon as the food particle comes in contact with the receptor site, the edges of the latter evaginate, form a
vesicle which pinches off as phagosome.
22 Cell Biology
One or more lysosomes fuse with a phagosome, form digestive vacuole or food vacuole. Digestion occurs inside the
vacuole. The digested substances diffuse out, while the residual vacuole passes out, comes in contact with plasma
membrane for throwing out its contents through exocytosis or ephagy.

Important tips
 E. Grater and H. Grendel (1926) : Proposed leaflet model which states that plasma membrane is formed of bilayer sheet of phospholipids.
 Wolpers (1941) : Proposed lattice model which states lipids are distributed in a framework of proteins.
 Hilleir and Hoffman (1953) : Proposed micellar model. Plasma membrane is formed of micelles of lipid molecules.
 Sandwich model of Danielli and Davson (1935) is based on physical and chemical properties.
 Proteins of plasma membrane provide functional specificity, elasticity and mechanical support.
 The arrangement of phospholipid molecules in bilayer forms a water resistant barrier.
 Glycoproteins of plasma membrane determine antigen specificity of cell. These glycoproteins from major histocompatible complex (MHC)
which are of specific type in every individual so act as finger print of the cell.
 Negative charge of the membrane is due to N – acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA)/sialic acid.
 Lehninger described the percentage of extrinsic and intrinsic protein.
 Harmone receptor proteins of plasma membrane of target cells act as signal transduction.
 Phospholipids show asymmetric distribution in plasma membrane lacithin and sphingomycelin mainly found in outer phospholipids layer while
cephalin and phosphatidyl serine are mainly present in inner phosphalipid layer.
 Lomasomes : Infolds of plasma membrane found in fungi. These were reported by Moore and Mclean.
 Transosomes found in follicular cells of ovary of birds and have triple unit membrane. First reported by Press(1964).
 Lipid soluble substances pass through the plasma membrane move readily than the water soluble substances.
 Term biomembrane was coined by Singer and Nicolson.
 Nehar and Sakmann discovered ion-channels in plasma membrane and they were awarded Noble prize for it in 1971.
 Pinocytosis and phagocytosis do not take place in prokaryotic cells.
 Singer and Nicolson’s model differs from Robertson’s model in the arrangement of proteins.
 Plasma membrane contains ATPase enzymes.
 Plasma gel or ectoplasm are the synonyms of plasma membrane.
 The secondary structure of the integral protein buried in the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane is nature.

1.6 Protoplasm.
(1) Definition : Protoplasm is a complex, granular, elastic, viscous and colourless substance. It is selectively or
differentially permeable. It is considered as “Polyphasic colloidal system”.
(2) Discoveries
(i) J. Huxley defined it as “physical basis of life”.
(ii) Dujardin (1835) discovered it and called them “sarcode”.
(iii) Purkinje (1837) renamed it as “Protoplasm”.
(iv) Hugo Von Mohl (1844) gave the significance of it.
(v) Max Schultz (1861) gave the protoplasmic theory for plants.
(vi) Fischer (1894) and Hardy (1899) showed its colloidal nature.
(vii) Altman (1893) suggested protoplasm as granular.
(3) Composition : Chemically it is composed of

Water 75 – 85% Carbon 20%

 Cell Biology 23
Proteins 10 – 25% Oxygen 62%
Lipids 2 – 3% Hydrogen 10%
Inorganic Materials 1% Nitrogen 3%

Trace elements – 5% ( Ca, P, Cl , S , K , Na, Mg, I, Fe, etc.)

Maximum water content in protoplasm is found in hydrophytes, i.e. 95% where as minimum in seeds, spores
(dormant organs) i.e. 10 – 15%. In animals water is less (about 65%) and proteins are more (about 15%).
(4) Physical properties of protoplasm : Cyclosis movement are shown by protoplasm. These are of two types.
(i) Rotation : In one direction, either clockwise or anticlockwise e.g., Hydrilla, Vallisneria. Found only in
eukaryotes.
(ii) Circulation : Multidirectional movements around vacuole e.g. Tradescantia.
(a) It shows stimulation or irritability.
(b) Protoplasm is polyphasic. Colloidal substance or true solution because true solution act as dispersion medium
and different colloidal particles constitute dispersed phase.
(c) It shows increased surface area and adsorption.
(d) It shows sol – gel transformation.
(e) It is highly viscous.
(f) It coagulates at 60o C or above or if treated with concentrated acids or bases.
(g) It shows Brownian movements.
(h) It’s specific gravity is slightly more than 1.
(i) It’s pH is on acidic side, but different vital activities occur at neutral pH which is considered as 7, injury
decreases the pH of the cell (i.e. 5.2 – 5.5) and if it remains for a long time, the cell dies.
(j) Scattering and dispersion of light is shown by protoplasm i.e. Tyndall effect.
1.7 Cytoplasm.
The substance occur around the nucleus and inside the plasma membrane containing various organelles and
inclusions is called cytoplasm.
(1) The cytoplasm is a semisolid, jelly – like material. It consists of an aqueous, structureless ground substance
called cytoplasmic matrix or hyaloplasm or cytosol.
(2) It forms about half of the cell’s volume and about 90% of it is water.
(3) It contains ions, biomolecules, such as sugar, amino acid, nucleotide, tRNA, enzyme, vitamins, etc.
(4) The cytosol also contains storage products such as glycogen/starch, fats and proteins in colloidal state.
(5) It also forms crystallo – colloidal system.
(6) Cytomatrix is differentiated into ectoplasm or plasmagel and endoplasm or plasmasol.
(7) Cytomatrix is three dimensional structure appear like a network of fine threads and these threads are called
microfilaments (now called actin filaments or microtrabecular lattice) and it is believed to be a part of cytoskeleton. It also
contains microtubules and inter mediate cytoplasmic filaments.
(8) Hyaloplasm contains metabolically inactive products or cell inclusions called deutoplast or metaplasts.
24 Cell Biology
(9) Cytoplasmic organelles are plastid, lysosome, sphaerosome, peroxisome, glyoxysomes, mitochondria, ribosome,
centrosome, flagellum or cilia etc.
(10) The movement of cytoplasm is termed as cyclosis (absent in plant cells).
1.8 Mitochondria.
(1) Definition : (Gk – mito = thread ; chondrion = granule) Mitochondria are semi autonomous having hollow sac
like structures present in all eukaryotes except mature Intermembranous space
Outer membrane
RBCs of mammals and sieve tubes of phloem. These are
absent in all prokaryotes like bacteria and cyanobacteria. Inner membrane
Mitochondria are also called chondriosome, Cristae
chondrioplast, plasmosomes, plastosomes and Matrix
plastochondriane.
(2) Discoveries
(i) These were first observed in striated muscles Crista
(Voluntary) of insects as granules by Kolliker (1850), he DNA A
Intercristaeal space F1 Particles or
called them “sarcosomes”. Inclusions Ribosomes Inner membrane
Oxysomes
Tubuli
(ii) Flemming (1882) called them “fila” for thread F1 Particles or
like structure. Oxysomes

(iii) Altman (1890) called them “bioplast”.

(iv) C. Benda (1897) gave the term mitochondria.
B
(v) F. Meves (1904) observed mitochondria in plant Outer membrane
Intermembranous space Matrix
(Nymphaea). Inclusions

(vi) Michaelis (1898) demonstrated that

Ribosomes
mitochondria play a significant role in respiration.
C Matrix
(vii) Bensley and Hoerr (1934) isolated
Outer
mitochondria from liver cells. F1 Particles or chamber
Oxysomes DNA
(viii) Seekevitz called them “Power house of the Intratubuli space
cell”. Intermembranous
D
space Inner
(ix) Nass and Afzelius (1965) observed first DNA Inner membrane chember
Outer membrane
in mitochondria.
Fig : Three dimentional structure of mitochondrion. A.
(3) Number of mitochondria : Presence of From an animal cell. B. From plant cell, C. T.S.
mitochondria depends upon the metabolic activity of the mitechondrion, D. One tubule

cell. Higher is the metabolic activity, higher is the Perimitochondrial space

number e.g., in germinating seeds. Outer chamber

Intracristael space
(i) Minimum number of mitochondria is one in Protein layer
F1 Particles Respiratory chain
Lipid layer and enzymess
Microasterias, Trypanosoma, Chlorella,
Chlamydomonas (green alga) and Micromonas.

Mitochondrial crest
Inner membrane
F1 Particles
Outer membrane
Fig : Molecular organization of inner membrane of mitochondria
 Cell Biology 25
Maximum numbers are found (up to 50,000) in giant Amoeba called Chaos – Chaos. These are 25 in human sperm, 300 -
400 in kidney cells and 1000 – 1600 in liver cells.
(ii) Mitochondria of a cell are collectively called chondriome.
(4) Size of mitochondria : Average size is 0.5–1.00 m and length up to 1 – 10  m.

(i) Smallest sized mitochondria in yeast cells (1  m 3 ).

(ii) Largest sized are found in oocytes of Rana pipiens and are 20 – 40  m .
(iii) A dye for staining mitochondria is Janus B – green.
(5) Ultrastructure of mitochondria : Mitochondrion is bounded by two unit membranes separated by
perimitochondrial space (60 – 80 Å). The outer membrane is specially permeable because of presence of integral proteins
called porins. The inner membrane is selective permeable. The inner membrane is folded or convoluted to form
mitochondrial crests. In animals these are called cristae and in plants these folding are called tubuli or microvili.
The matrix facing face is called ‘M’ face and face towards perimitochondrial space is called ‘C’ face. The ‘M’ face
have some small stalked particles called oxysomes or F1 particle or elementory particle or Fernandez – Moran Particles.
Each particle is made up of base, stalk and head and is about 10nm in length. Number of oxysomes varies to 10 4 to 105 per
mitochondrion and chemically they are made of phospholipid core and protein cortex. Oxysomes have ATPase enzyme
molecule (Packer, 1967) and therefore, responsible for ATP synthesis. These elementary particles are also called F 0 – F1
particles.
In the matrix 2–6 copies of naked, double stranded DNA (circular) and ribosome of 70 S type are present. It is rich
in G-C ratio. Basic histone proteins are absent in mitochondrial DNA. The synthesis of ATP in mitochondria is called
oxidative phosphorylation, which is O2 dependent and light independent. Cristae control dark respiration. F0 particles
synthesize all the enzymes required to operate Kreb’s cycle. Inner membrane contains cytochrome.
(6) Semi-autonomous nature of mitochondrion : Mitochondria contain all requirements of protein synthesis :
(i) 70 S ribosomes.
(ii) DNA molecules to form mRNA and also replicate.
(iii) ATP molecules to provide energy.
The mitochondria can form some of the required proteins but for most of proteins, these are dependent upon nuclear
DNA and cytoplasmic ribosomes, so the mitochondria are called semi-autonomous organelles.
(7) Two states of mitochondria : When ATP synthesis is low or the respiratory chain of mitochondrion is inhibited,
it is called inactive or orthodox state, and has large amount of matrix and only a few cristae. But when mitochondria are
active or condensed state, and have small amount of matrix and highly developed cristae. This shows that the
development of mitochondria depends upon the physiological activity of the cell.
(8) Chemical composition : Cohn gave the chemical composition of mitochondrion:
Proteins = 65 – 70%
Lipids = 25 – 30% (90% phospholipids and 10% cholesterol, Vit. E., etc)
2 – 5% RNA Some amount of DNA
The mitochondrial matrix has many catabolic enzymes like cytochrome oxidase and reductases, fatty acid oxidase,
transaminase, etc.
(9) Enzymes of Mitochondria
26 Cell Biology
(i) Outer membrane : Monoamine oxidase, glycerophosphatase, acyltransferase, phospholipase A.
(ii) Inner membrane : Cytochrome b,c1,c,a, (cyt.b, cyt.c1, cyt.c, cyt.a, cyt.a3) NADH, dehydrogenase, succinate
dehydrogenase, ubiquinone, flavoprotein, ATPase.
(iii) Perimitochondrial space : Adenylate kinase, nucleoside diphosphokinase.
(iv) Inner matrix : Pyruvate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, aconitase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, fumarase, 
Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase.
(10) Origin : Mitochondria are self-duplicating organelles due to presence of DNA molecules so new mitochondria
are always formed by growth and division of pre-existing mitochondria by binary fission.
Difference between outer and inner membrane of mitrochondria
Outer membrane Inner membrane
It is smooth having less area. It is infolded to form cristae hence large surface area.
It is freely permeable. Semipermeable, impermeable to coenzyme A and NAD.
It consist 50% lipid and 50% protein. It consist 80% protein and 20% lipid.
Sialic acid is more (4 – 5 time). Sialic acid is less.
Near about 14% enzymes are present. Near about 60 enzymes are present.
(11) Functions of mitochondria
(i) Mitochondria are called power house or storage batteries or ATP mills as these are sites of ATP formation.
(ii) Intermediate products of cell respiration are used in the formation of steroids, cytochromes, chlorophyll, etc.
(iii) These are also seat of some amino acid biosynthesis.
(iv) Mitochondria also regulate the calcium ion concentration inside the cell.
(v) Site of Krebs cycle and electron transport system.
(vi) Site of thermiogenesis.
(vii) Yolk nucleus (a mitochondrial cloud and golgi bodies) controls vitellogenesis.
(viii) Mitochondria of spermatid form nebenkern (middle piece) of sperm during spermiogenesis.
(ix) It is capable of producing its own DNA.
(x) Mitochondria release energy during respiration.
(xi) Mitochondria contain electron transport system.
Important Tips
 Petite character in yeast and cytoplasmic male sterility in maize are examples of mitochondrial inheritance.
 Mitochondria are believed to be bacterial endosymbionts.
 Mitochondria show a large degree of autonomy or independence in their functioning.
 Mitochondria as a place of cellular respiration were first observed by Hogeboom. Enzymes of Kreb’s cycle or TCA cycle or citric acid cycle are
present in matrix except succinic dehydrogenase which is found attached to inner mitochondrial membrane.
 With the help of phase contrast microscope mitochondria has been studied well.
 Mitochondria can be separated by centrifugation.
 Mitochondria are called as “cell inside cell” by Schiff (1982).
 Life of mitochondria is not more than 5 days.
 Mitochondria are yellowish due to riboflavin.
 70% of total enzymes of a cell are found in mitochondria.
 Mitochondrial genome has 200 kilobase pairs.
 Mitochondria has the similarity , with bacteria as both have 70 S ribosome, circular DNA and RNA.
 Cell Biology 27
 Mitochondria are rich in manganese.
 It has its own electron transport system.
 Mitochondria and chloroplasts have many resemblances.
 According to endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria by Kirns Altman, mitochondria were intially a free living, aerobic bacteria which during to
the process of evolution entered an anaerobic cell and become established as mitochondria. This theory is supported by many similarities which
exist between bacteria and mitochondria.
 Lehninger discovered oxysomes.
 Percentage of mitochondrial DNA in cells is 1% of the total cellular DNA.
 Parson discovered stalkless and hollow spherical particles present on outer surface of outer mitochondrial membrane.
 When mitochondria treated with detergents like digitonin or lubral, their outer unit membrane is removed and remaining part is called
Mitoplast
 The F1 particle is made up of five types of subunits namely  ,  ,  ,  and  . of these  is heaviest and  is lightest.
 In prokaryotic cell, plasma membrane infolding makes a structure mesosome. Which is analogous structure of mitochondria of eukaryotic cell
(both part in respiration).

1.9 Plastids.
(1) Definition : Plastids are semiautonomous organelles having DNA, RNA, Ribosomes and double membrane
envelope which store or synthesize various types of organic compounds as ATP and NADPH + H + etc. These are largest
cell organelles in plant cell.
(2) History
(i) Haeckel (1865) discovered plastid, but the term was first time used by Schimper (1883).
(ii) A well organised system of grana and stroma in plastid of normal barley plant was reported by de Von
Wettstein.
(iii) Park and Biggins (1964) gave the concept of quantasomes.
(iv) The term chlorophyll was given by Pelletier and Caventou, and structural details were given by Willstatter and
Stall.
(v) The term thylakoid was given by Menke (1962).
(vi) Fine structure was given by Mayer.
(3) Types of plastids : According to Schimper, Plastids are of 3 types: Leucoplasts, Chromoplasts and Chloroplasts.
Leucoplasts : They are colourless plastids which generally occur near the nucleus in nongreen cells and possess
internal lamellae. Grana and photosynthetic pigments are absent. They mainly store food materials and occur in the cells
not exposed to sunlight e.g., seeds underground stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes etc. These are of three types.
(i) Amyloplast : Synthesize and store starch grains. e.g., potato tubers, wheat and rice grains.
(ii) Elaioplast (Lipidoplast, Oleoplast) : They store lipids and oils e.g. castor endosperm, tube rose, etc.
(iii) Aleuroplast (Proteinoplast) : Store proteins e.g., aleurone cells of maize grains.
Chromoplasts : Coloured plastids other than green are kown as chromoplasts . These are present in petals and
fruits, imparting different colours (red, yellow, orange etc) for attracting insects and animals. These also carry on
photosynthesis.
These may arise from the chloroplasts due to replacement of chlorophyll by other pigments e.g. tomato and chillies
or from leucoplasts by the development of pigments.
28 Cell Biology
All colours (except green) are produced by flavins, flavenoids and cyanin. Cyanin pigment is of two types one is
anthocyanin (blue) and another is erythrocyanin (red). Anthocyanin express different colours on different pH value. These
are variously coloured e.g. in flowers. They give colour to petals and help in pollination. They are water soluble. They are
found in cell sap.
Green tomatoes and chillies turn red on ripening because of replacement of chlorophyll molecule in chloroplasts by
the red pigment lycopene in tomato and capsanthin in chillies. Thus, chloroplasts are changed into chromatophores.
Chloroplast : Discovered by Sachs and named by Schimper. They are greenish plastids which possess
photosynthetic pigments.
(i) Number : It is variable. Number of chloroplast is 1 in Spirogyra indica, 2 in Zygnema, 16 in S.rectospora, up to
100 in mesophyll cells. The minimum number of one chloroplast per cell is found in Ulothrix and species of
Chlamydomonas.
(ii) Shape : They have various shapes

Shape Example
Cup shaped Chlamydomonas sp.
Stellate shaped Zygnema.
Collar or girdle shaped Ulothrix
Spiral or ribbon shaped Spirogyra
Reticulate Oedogonium
Discoid Voucheria

(iii) Size : It ranges from 3 – 10  m (average 5  m ) in diameter. The discoid chloroplast of higher plants are 4
– 10  m in length and 2– 4  m in breadth. Chloroplast of spirogyra may reach a length of 1 mm. Sciophytes (Shade
plant) have larger chloroplast.
(iv) Chemical composition :
(a) Proteins 50 – 60%,
(b) Lipids 25 – 30% ,
(c) Chlorophyll – 5- 10 %,
(d) Carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) 1 –2%,
(e) DNA – 0.5%, RNA 2 – 3%,
(f) Vitamins K and E,
(g) Quinines, Mg, Fe, Co, Mn, P, etc. in traces.
(v) Ultrastructure : It is double membrane structure. Both membranes are smooth. The inner membrane is less
permeable than outer but rich in proteins especially carrier proteins. Each membrane is 90 – 100 Å thick. The inter-
membrane space is called the periplastidial space. Inner to membranes, matrix is present, which is divided into two parts.
(a) Grana : Inner plastidial membrane of the chloroplast is invaginated to form a series of parallel membranous
sheets, called lamellae, which form a number of oval –
shaped closed sacs, called thylakoids. Thylakoids are Frets or Lamellae

structural and functional elements of chloroplasts. These Granum

Outer Stroma
thylakoids contain all the requirements of light reactions membrane
e.g., pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoids, plastoquinone,
Inner
membrane
Granum in L.S. Thylakoid

Fig : A chloroplast in section (diagrammatic)

 Cell Biology 29
plastocyanin, etc. that are involved in photosynthesis. Each thylakoid has an intrathylakoid space, called loculus (size 10-
30Å) bounded by a unit membrane. Along the inner side of thylakoid membrane, there are number of small rounded para-
crystalline bodies, called quantasomes (a quantasome is the photosynthetic unit) which can trap a mole of quantum of
light and can bring about photosynthetic act. Each quantasome contains about 230 chlorophyll molecules and 50
carotenoid molecules.
In eukaryotic plant cells, a number of thylakoids are superimposed like a pile of coins to form a granum. The
number of thylakoids in a granum ranges from 10-100 (average number is 20-50). The number of grana per chloroplast
also varies widely e.g., one granum per chloroplast in Euglena while there are 40-60 grana per chloroplast in spinach. The
size of each granum varies from 0.2 – 0.6  m in diameter. But in blue-green algae, the thylakoids are not organised to
form granum.
Adjacent grana are interconnected by branched tubules, called stromal lamellae or Fret-channel or Fret membrane's.
(b) Stroma : It is transparent, proteinaceous and watery substance. Dark reaction of photosynthesis occurs in this
portion. Stroma is almost filled with “Rubisco” (about 15% of total enzyme, protein) enzyme CO 2 is accepted by this
enzyme. CO2 assimilation results in carbohydrate formation. It has 20 – 60 copies of naked circular double stranded DNA.
Each DNA copy is 40  in length, which can code for 125 amino acids. All plastids of a cell called as “Plastidome”
(Dangeared 1920) in stroma. Amount of DNA per chloroplast is 10 –15 g. Chloroplast genome has 145 kilobase pairs. It
shows semiautonomous nature and ribosomes are of 70 S type.
(vi) Pigments of chloroplast : Willsttater and Stall observed the following pigments:
(a) Chlorophyll a : C 55 H 72 O 5 N 4 Mg (with methyl group)

(b) Chlorophyll b : C 55 H 70 O 6 N 4 Mg (with aldehyde group)

(c) Chlorophyll c : C 35 H 32 O 5 N 4 Mg

(d) Chlorophyll d : C 54 H 70 O 6 N 4 Mg
(e) Carotenes, Xanthophylls : Carotenoids.
Difference between Chl. a and Chl. b
Chl. a Chl. b
Absorption peak at 430, 662. It is 453, 642.
Bluish green in colour. Yellowish green.
Soluble in petroleum, ether. Soluble in methyl alcohol.
Functional group at C3 position is CH3 Functional group attached to pyrrol ring is CHO.
Present in all green plants excepts autotrophic bacteria. Present in all green plants except blue green, brown
and red algae.
In chloroplast it is 75%. It is 25%
In reflected light Chl. a shows blood red colour while in In reflected light it show dull brown colour while in
transmitted light, it shows blue green colour. transmitted light, it shows yellowish green colour.

(vii) Chlorophylls and their presence : Term by Cavantou (1818). It’s molecule has tetrapyrollic or porphyrin
head ( 15 Å  15 Å ) and phytol tail (20 Å long). Mg++ is present in the centre of porphyrin head. If chlorophyll is burnt
only Mg is left.
(a) Chlorophyll b : It is found in members of chlorophyceae.
(b) Chlorophyll c : It is found in members of phaeophyceae, bacillariophyceae.
(c) Chlorophyll d : It is found in members of rhodophyceae.
30 Cell Biology
(d) Chlorophyll e : It is found in members of xanthophyceae.
(e) Phycoerythrin and phycocyanin (phycobilins) are the red and blue green pigments in rhodophyceae and
cyanophyceae respectively.
(f) Fucoxanthin (brown pigment) in phaeophyceae.
(g) Bacteriochlorophyll (C 55 H 74 O 6 N 4 Mg ) or chlorobium chlorophyll present in photosynthetic bacteria.
These pigment are red in acidic and blue in alkaline medium.
(viii) Carotenoids : These are hydrocarbons, soluble in organic solvents. These are of 2 types:
(a) Carotenes : C 40 H 56 derivatives of vitamin A. Carrot coloured  ,  ,  carotene, lycopene, etc.
(b) Xanthophyll : C 40 H 56 O 2 , yellowish in colour, fucoxanthin, violaxanthin. Molar ratio of carotene and
xanthophyll in young leaves is 2 : 1.
(ix) Plastids are interchangeable
Leucoplast  Chloroplast

Chromoplast
(degenerate chloroplast)
The leucoplast and chloroplast are interconvertible but once they have converted into chromoplast, the reverse can
not take place. Because, chromoplasts are aged or degenerated form of chloroplast e.g. in tomato.
Young ovary (colourless) – Leucoplast
Young fruit (green) – Chloroplast
Mature fruits (red) (due to Lycopene) – Chromoplast.
In carrot leucoplast – Chromoplast (carotene) etc.
(x) Origin of chloroplast : Plastids, like the mitochondria, are self duplicating organelles. These develop from
colourless precursors, called proplastids. They are believed to be evolved from endosymbiont origination.
(4) Function of plastids
(i) It is the site of photosynthesis, (light and dark reaction).
(ii) Photolysis of water, reduction of NADP to NADPH 2 take place in granum.
(iii) Photophosphorylation through cytochrome b6 f, plastocyanine and plastoguinone etc.
(iv) They store starch or factory of synthesis of sugars.
(v) Chloroplast store fat in the form of plastoglobuli.
(vi) They can be changed into chromoplasts to provide colour to many flowers and fruits for attracting animals.
(vii) They maintain the percentage of CO2 and O2 in atmosphere.

Important Tips

 Murphy and Leech (1978) have reported the synthesis of fatty acids in the spinach chloroplast.
 Proplastids are precursor of all type of plastids.
 Capasanthin is the pigment in carotenoids found in bacteria, fungi and chilly.
 Cell Biology 31
 Solar energy is trapped in lamella by chlorophylls but in bacteria trapping centre is B 890.
 The chloroplast with nitrogen fixing genes (nif genes) constitute nitroplast.
 Pyrenoids : A proteinaceous core around which starch is deposited mostly found in the chloroplast of algae and in some bryophytes.
 Algal classification is based on pigmentation pattern.
 Eye spot or stigma is photosensitive carotenoid pigment.
 Intact chloroplast can be separated by sugar solution (2.5 M).
 Mitochondria and plastids both have own DNA molecules which is called as Extranuclear/ Extrachromosomal DNA.
 Plastids are absent from monerans, fungi and animals these are also absent from gametes and zoospores of plants.
 Ris and Plaut (1962) reported DNA in chloroplast and was called plastidome. It forms about 0.5% of total cellular DNA and is rich in G-C
pairs.
 Plastidoribosomes : Ribosomes of plastids and are of 70S type. These were reported by Jacobson et. al. (1963)
 Thylakoid term was given by Menke (1961).
 Transducers : Structure which are involved in energy transformations e.g. mitochondria and plastids.
 Plastids are the largest cell organelles. The plastids in the order of their increasing size are
Chloroplast  Chromoplast  Elaioplast  Aleuroplast  Amyloplast
 Quantasome is formed of 160 chlorophyll a + 70 chlorophyll b molecules and 50 carotenoid molecules.
 Scattered thylakoids in the cytoplasm of cyanobacteria and photosynthesis bacteria are known as chromatophores.
 Chromatophore term was given by Schmitz.

1.10 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

(1) Definition : It is well developed electron microscopic network of interconnected cisternae, tubules and vesicles
present throughout the cytoplasm, especially in the endoplasm.
(2) Discovery : Garnier (1897) was first to observe the ergastoplasm in a cell. The ER was first noted by Porter,
Claude, and Fullman in 1945 as a network. It was named by Porter in 1953.
(3) Occurrence : The ER is present in almost all eukaryotic cells. A few cells such as ova, embryonic cells, and
mature RBCs, however, lack ER. It is also absent in prokaryotic cell.
In muscle cells, it is called sarcoplasmic reticulum, myeloid bodies and nissel granules are believed to be formed
from ER. ER is little develop in meristematic cells.
(4) Chemical composition : All the components of ER are lipoperoteins and trilaminar like the plasma membrane
but differ in following
(i) Thinner (50  60 Å) than plasma membrane.
(ii) With less cholesterol.
(iii) With more lipids.
(iv) The lumen is filled with fluid containing 70% phospholipids lecithin and cephalin etc.
(5) Ultrastructure : The ER is made up of three components :
(i) Cisternae : These are flattened, unbranched, sac like structures. They lie in stacks (piles) parallel to one another.
They bear ribosomes. They contain glycoproteins named ribophorin-I and ribophorin-II that bind the ribosomes. Found in
protein forming cells.
32 Cell Biology
(ii) Vesicles : These are oval or rounded, vacuole like elements, scattered in cytoplasm. These are also studded with
ribosomes.
(iii) Tubules : Wider, tubular, branched elements mainly present near the cell membrane. They are free from
ribosomes. These are more in lipid forming cells.

Ribosomes

Ribosomes

Lamellae
Vesicles Tubules
Cisternae

Fig : Elements of Endoplasmic Reticulum

All the three structures are bound by a single unit membrane.

(6) Types of ER : Depending upon the presence of ribosomes, the ER has been categorised into two types:
(i) A smooth or Agranular endoplasmic reticulum (SER) : It consists mainly of tubules and vesicles. It has no
ribosomes associated to it. It is well developed in the muscle cells, adipose tissue cells, interstitial cells, glycogen storing
liver cells, etc. and the cells that synthesize and secrete steroids. SER also takes part in synthesis of vitamins,
carbohydrates and detoxification. Detoxification of pollutants carcinogens and drugs is carried out SER of liver cells and
mitochondria, SER is associated with storage and release of Ca 2  ions. It gives rise to spherosomes.

(ii) Rough or Granular endoplasmic reticulum (RER) : It mainly consists of cisternae. It has ribosomes attached
on its cytoplasmic surface. It is abundant in cells engaged in production and excertion of proteins, e.g., plasma cells,
goblets cells, pancreatic acinus cells and certain liver cells. The RER is more stable than SER. The RER is basophilic due
to the presence of ribosomes. Ribosomes are attached to ER through hydrophobic interaction.
The proteins synthesised by the ER membrane bound ribosomes pass into the ER lumen, where most of the proteins
are glycosylated. For this, an oligosaccharide is always linked to the  NH 2 group on side chain of an asparagine
residue. The ER lumen serves as a compartment to contain substances which must be kept separate from cytosol. In the
ER lumen, the enzymes modify the proteins.

Differences between SER and RER

SER RER
SER or smooth endoplasmic reticulum does not possesses RER possesses ribosomes attached to its membrane.
ribosomes over the surface of its membrane.
It is mainly formed of vesicles and tubules. It is mainly formed of cisternae and few tubules.
It is engaged in the synthesis of glycogen lipids and steroids. The reticulum takes part in the synthesis of proteins.
Pores are absent so that materials synthesised by SER do not RER possesses narrow pores below its ribosomes for the
pass into its channels. passage of synthesised polypeptides into ER channels.
SER is often peripheral. It may be connected with It is often internal and connected with nuclear envelope.
plasmalemma.
 Cell Biology 33
Ribophorins are absent. RER contains Ribophorins I and II for providing attachment
to ribosomes.
SER gives rise to sphaerosomes. It helps in the formation of lysosome through the agency of
golgi apparatus.

(7) Origin : RER is formed from nuclear membrane while SER is formed from RER by loss of ribosomes. Rough
vesicles originate only from RER after homogenisation of cell. RER breaks in small fragments (Vesicles) and it is called
microsome (This is not a cell organelle). ER constitute cytoskeleton and also help as intracellular transport system. And it
is sensitive to irritation.
(8) Functions
(i) Synthesis and secretion of specific proteins via – golgi bodies.
(ii) Formation of protein ribophorin. Which helps in attachment of ribosome.
(iii) Give rise to SER.
(iv) Provides surface for synthesis of cholesterol, steroid, ascorbic acid and visual pigments.
(v) It helps in synthesis of harmones e.g., testosterone and estrogen.
(vi) It helps in glycogenolysis in the liver cells and brings about detoxification (SER).
(vii) Gastric cells secreting zymogen have well developed SER.
(viii) ER is a component of cytoskeleton (Spread as a net) of cell and provides mechanical support and shape to the
cell.
(ix) ER acts as segregation apparatus and divides the cytoplasm into chambers. Compartmentalisation is most
necessary for cellular life.
(x) It participates in the formation of cell-plate during cytokinesis in the plant cells by the formation of
phragmoplasts.
(xi) ER has many types of enzymes e.g. ATPase, reductases, dehydrogenases and phosphatases.
(9) Sacroplasmic reticulum : It is a modified SER striated muscle fibres which forms a network of interconnected
tubules in the sarcoplasm. It helps in conduction of motor nerve impulses throughout the muscle fibre and in the removal
of lactic acid so prevents muscle fatigue. It is called “ergastoplasm” in muscle and “nisslegranules” in nerve cells.

Important Tips
 Annullated lamellae : It was first reported by Mc Culloch (1952) in the egg of sea urchin. Formed by blebbing of outer nuclear membrane.
 Transitional ER : It is RER without ribosomes.
 Microsome : This term was used by Claude (1941). It probably refers to these fragments of ER which are associated to ribosomes.
 Sjostrand gave the term   cytomembrane for RER.
 Veratti (1902) reported sacroplasmic recticulum in the muscle fibers.
 Nissl’s granules are the masses of RER in the cyton of neurons.
 Myeloid bodies are the masses of tubules (S0 SER) found in retinal cells and are related with photoreception.
 Total ER in the cell – 2/3 RER + 1/3 SER.
 In rapidly dividing cells endoplasmic reticulum is poorly developed .

1.11 Golgi complex.

(1) Definition : Golgi complex is made up of various membranous system e.g. cisternae, vesicles and vacuoles.
These are also called golgi bodies, golgisomes, lipochondrion, dictyosomes, Dalton complex, idiosomes or Baker’s body.
These are also called “traffic police” of the cell.
34 Cell Biology
(2) Discovery : First observed by George (1867) but it’s morphological details were given by Camillo Golgi (1898),
in nerve cells of barn fowl and cat.
(3) Occurence : It is present in all eukaryotic cells. They form 2% of total cell volume. In a cell these are found
above centriole or near nucleus. In plants, these are
scattered irregularly in the cytoplasm and called as
“dictyosomes”. These are absent in bacteria and blue
green algae, RBCs, spermatozoa of bryophytes and
pteridophytes, and sieve tube cells of phloem of
angiosperm.
(4) Size and number : The size of the golgi body
varies with the metabolic state of cell and hence it is
called pleomorphic. Large in mature functional and
secretary cell e.g., germinal cells, goblet cells, but small
size in non-secretary cells. There may be 25,000
dictysomes present in rhizoidal cells of Chara. Average
number 10 – 20 per cell. Number increases during cell Fig : Arrangement of membrane, tubles and vesicles in golgi complex

division.
(5) Structure : Under transmission electron microscope the st. of golgibodies was study by Dalton and Felix (1954),
golgi body is made of 4 parts.
(i) Cisternae : Golgi apparatus is made up of stack of flat. Sac like structure called cisternae. The margins of each
cisterna are gently curved so that the entire golgi body takes on a cup like appearance. The golgi body has a definite
polarity. The cisternae at the convex end of the dictyosome comprises forming face (F. face) or cis face. While the
cisternae at the concave end comprises the maturing face (M. face) or trans face. The forming face is located next to either
the nucleus or endoplasmic reticulum. The maturing face is usually directed towards the plasma membranes. It is the
functional unit of golgi body.
(ii) Tubules : These arise due to fenestration of cisternae and it forms a complex of network.
(iii) Secretory vesicles : These are small sized components each about 40 Å in diameter presents along convex
surface of edges of cisternae. These are smooth and coated type of vesicles. Smooth or secretory vesicles, which have a
smooth surface and contain secretions of the cell and coated vesicles, that have rough surface. They carry materials to or
from the cisternae.
(iv) Golgian vacuoles : These are spherical components each about 600 Å in diameter. These are produced by
vesiculation of saccules of cisternae. Scattered cisternae are called dictyosomes and condition is called diffused.
(6) Function
(i) The main function of golgi body is secretion, so it is large sized among the secretory cells. Secretion are released
either by exocytosis or reverse pinocytosis.
(ii) Glycosidation of lipids i.e. addition of oligosaccharides to produce glycolipids.
(iii) Glycosylation of proteins i.e. addition of carbohydrate to produce glycoproteins.
(iv) Formation of lysosomes.
(v) Golgi body forms the cell plate. During cell division by secreting hemicellulose formation of enzyme and
hormones (Thyroxine) etc.
(vi) Matrix of connective tissue is formed by golgi complex.
(vii) In oocytes of animal, golgi apparatus functions as the centre around which yolk is deposited i.e. vitellogenesis.
 Cell Biology 35
(viii) Membrane of the vesicles produced by golgi apparatus join in the region of cytokinesis to produce new plasmalemma.
(ix) It is also called export house of cell.
(x) Golgi body contains phospholipids, proteins, enzymes and vitamin-c.
(xi) The golgi complex gives rise to the acrosome in an animal sperm.
(7) Origin : Most accepted view is that golgi body originates from RER-that has lost its ribosomes from this RER
arise transport vesicles that contain Golgi membrane and fuse with the saccule on the forming face of Golgi apparatus.
This is why this face is called the forming face.
Important Tips
 According to Camillo Golgi “Apparato reticulare interno” (internal reticular apparatus) is Golgi body.
 Cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin are synthesized by Golgi body.
 Metal silver impregnation technique was used by Camillo Golgi.
 Sperm acrosome is made of golgi apparatus.
 The main enzyme of golgi complex are glycosyl transferase, nucleoside diphosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase.
 Zymogen is processed in it.
 Term “trophospongium” given by Holmgen.
 The number of golgi bodies increase during cell division. Phragmoplast is the precursor of cell plate.
 The basophilic ergastoplasm in gland cells indicate the richness of golgi bodies.
 Root cap cells are rich in golgi complex secreting mucilage, which lubricates the root tip.
 Proteins and fats are stored in vacuoles and vesicles of golgi complex.
 In fungi, unicisternal dictyosomes are found.
 Zone of exclusion : A zone of clear cytoplasm with no ribosomes, mitochondria etc. around the golgi body.
 Perner gave the term dictyosome.
 Mollenhaver and Whaley (1963): Reported polarity in golgi complex.
 GERL : Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosome system.
 GER : Golgi associated endoplasmic reticulum.