Cell Structure and Function

Cell structure and
function
Contents
• Cell
• Parts of cell
• Membranes
• Cell organelles
Microscopic cell
Cell
Basic structural and
functional unit of life
Plasma membranes
Membrane structure
Lipids
• Phospholipids
• Cholesterol
Proteins
• Integral proteins
• Peripheral proteins
Carbohydrates
Membrane structure
Transmembrane proteins
The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a
Fluid mosaic model tapestry of several types of molecules (phospholipids,
cholesterols, and proteins) that are constantly moving. This
movement helps the cell membrane maintain its role as a
barrier between the inside and outside of the cell environments.
The fluid-mosaic model is a useful way of visualizing
cellular membranes. However, isolated regions within some
cell membranes do not conform to this model. Such as;
• Lipid rafts: cholesterol rich regions of reduced membrane

fluidity
• Membrane junctions
Membrane junctions
• Plasma membranes are involved in the
interactions between cells to form tissues Desmosomes
• In tissues, there is usually a space between the
1
plasma membranes of adjacent cells.
• This space, filled with extracellular (interstitial)
fluid provides a pathway for substances to pass Tight junctions
between cells on their way to and from the 2
blood.
• Integrins, are transmembrane proteins. They
bind to specific proteins in the extracellular Gap junctions
matrix and link them to membrane proteins on 3
adjacent cells in order to organize cells into
tissues and organs
Desmosomes
Desmosomes consist of a region between two
adjacent cells where the apposed plasma
membranes are separated by about 20 nm.
Characterized by accumulations of protein

known as “dense plaques” along the
cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane,
that serve as anchoring points for cadherins
Cadherins are proteins that extend from the

cell into the extracellular space, where they
link up and bind with cadherins from an
adjacent cell
Tight junctions
Two adjacent plasma membranes join together
so that no extracellular space remains between
them
Most epithelial cells are joined by tight

junctions near their apical surfaces
During absorption, tight junctions block

extracellular movement of many substances
Gap junctions
Gap junction , consists of protein channels

linking the cytosols of adjacent cells
In the region of the gap junction, the two

opposing plasma membranes come within 2
to 4 nm of each other, which allows specific
proteins (called connexins) from the two
membranes to join, forming small, protein
lined channels linking the two cells.
The small diameter of these channels (about
1.5 nm) allows the movement to small
molecules and ions, such as Na and K
Cell organelles
1. Nucleus
2. Ribosomes
3. Endoplasmic reticulum
a. Smooth E.R
b. Rough E.R
4. Golgi apparatus
5. Mitochondria
6. Lysosomes
7. Endosomes
8. Peroxisomes
9. Cytoskeleton
1. Nucleus
Storage and transmission
of genetic information to
Function the next generation of
cells.
• Nuclear envelope
Parts • Nuclear pores
• Nucleolus
Nuclear envelope Nuclear pore Nucleolus
• It is a barrier • At regular intervals • It is a dense membrane
surrounding the nucleus along the surface of less structure
• Composed of two nuclear envelope , the • The main function is
membranes an inner two membranes are producing and
nuclear membrane and joined to each other, assembling the cell’s
outer nuclear forming rims of circular ribosomes
membrane openings are known as • Directly involved in
nuclear pores production of rRNA
(composes ribosome
structure and is
involved in synthesis of
proteins)
2. Ribosomes
Ribosomes are the protein factories of a cell
On ribosomes, protein molecules are synthesized from amino

acids
Genetic information carried by RNA messenger molecules from

DNA in the nucleus is used to synthesize proteins in ribosomes
Ribosomes
Free Fixed
• Attached to Rough endoplasmic reticulum

• The proteins synthesized by these
• Floats freely in cytoplasm
ribosomes pass into the lumen of the
• The proteins synthesized on the free
reticulum and are then transferred to yet
ribosomes are released into the cytosol,
another organelle, the Golgi apparatus.
where they perform their varied functions.
• They are ultimately secreted from the cell
or distributed to other organelles.
3. Endoplasmic reticulum
Rough (granular) Smooth (agranular)
• Ribosomes are bound to its • The smooth endoplasmic
cytosolic surface, and it has a reticulum has no ribosomal
flattened-sac appearance. particles on its surface and has
• It is involved in packaging a branched, tubular structure.
proteins that, after processing • Involved in synthesis of certain
in the Golgi apparatus, are lipids,
secreted by the cell or • Plays a role in detoxification of
distributed to other cell certain hydrophobic
organelles molecules,
• Stores and releases calcium
ions involved in controlling
various cell activities.
4. Golgi apparatus
Rough Golgi
endoplasmic Proteins
reticulum apparatus
Sorting of modified proteins

Modification of
into discrete classes of
proteins
transport vesicles
Vesicles releases Vesicles containing

protein content to cell proteins to be secreted
organelles or outside from the cell are known
of cell as secretory vesicles .
5. Mitochondria
Cellular
Mitochondria
respiration ATP
Mitochondria also play a Chemical process

role in the synthesis of ATP provides energy
that transfer energy
certain lipids, such as to cells to perform
the hormones estrogen from chemical bonds
different functions
and testosterone of nutrients to ATP
Lysosomes are spherical or oval membrane
6. Lysosomes bound compartments in cytoplasm containing
hydrolytic enzymes and low pH
Lysosomes act to break down bacteria and the

debris from dead cells that have been engulfed
by a cell.
They may also break down cell organelles that

have been damaged and no longer function
normally
They also play important role in immune

system of body
7. Endosomes
8. Peroxisomes Oxidation of organic molecules such as
lipids, alcohol and potentially toxic ingested
substances
It is named so because it destroys hydrogen

peroxide (H2O2) which is produced during
reactions and is toxic to cells in high
concentrations
Peroxisomes are also involved in the process

by which fatty acids are broken down into
two-carbon fragments, which the cell can
then use as a source for generating ATP
9. Cytoskeleton
Protein filaments present in
cytoplasm make up
cytoskeleton
Like the bony skeleton of the

body, it is associated with
processes that maintain and
change cell shape and
produce cell movements
Composed of monomer G- Composed of twisted strands Hollow tubes about 25 nm in
actin that assemble into of several different proteins, diameter, whose subunits are
twisting chain polymer F-actin including keratin, desmin, and composed of the protein
Make major portion of lamin. tubulin.
cytoskeleton Functions: Most rigid filaments
Functions: Cell shape Functions:
Determine cell shape Help anchor the nucleus Determine cell shape
Cell movement Provide strength to cells Cell division
Cell division Cell movement
Muscle contraction

Cell Structure and Function

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Cell Structure and Function

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Cell structure and

• Lipid rafts: cholesterol rich regions of reduced membrane

Characterized by accumulations of protein

Cadherins are proteins that extend from the

Most epithelial cells are joined by tight

During absorption, tight junctions block

Gap junction , consists of protein channels

In the region of the gap junction, the two

Ribosomes are the protein factories of a cell

On ribosomes, protein molecules are synthesized from amino

Genetic information carried by RNA messenger molecules from

• Attached to Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Sorting of modified proteins

Vesicles releases Vesicles containing

Mitochondria also play a Chemical process

Lysosomes act to break down bacteria and the

They may also break down cell organelles that

They also play important role in immune

It is named so because it destroys hydrogen

Peroxisomes are also involved in the process

Like the bony skeleton of the

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