Cell Structure and Function
Thanasan Nilsu
Basic Biology Class 2022
Kamnoetvidya Science Academy
Learning outcomes
❏ Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
❏ Compare and contrast the general characteristics of plant and animal cells.
❏ Explain the variety of cell structures with relation to their functions.
❏ Discuss the noncellular nature of viruses.
The sizes of various biological objects
Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems, 5e, 2018
Animal cell structure
Integrated Science, 7e, 2019
Plant cell structure
Integrated Science, 7e, 2019
Nucleus
Nucleus: a round or oval structure surrounded
by a nuclear envelope that contains the
genetic material (DNA).
Nuclear envelope: a double membrane
separating nucleoplasm and cytoplasm,
continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) and perforated by nuclear pores, which
regulate the entry and exit of materials.
Nucleolus: a non-membrane bound nuclear
compartment where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is
synthesized and ribosome subunits are
assembled.
Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021
Nester’s Microbiology - A Human Perspective, 8e, 2016
Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi
Rough ER: an extensive network of flattened,
membranous sacs (cisternae) studded with
ribosomes (which synthesize proteins) and
involved in the processing of proteins.
Smooth ER: a highly branched network of
membranous tubules involved in the synthesis
of lipids, metabolism of carbohydrates, storage
of calcium ions, and detoxification of drugs and
toxins.
Golgi apparatus: stacks of cisternae involved
in the modification of proteins and lipids, and
sorting and packaging of modified products in
vesicles for transport and secretion.
Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018
Vesicular structures
Vesicle: a collective term for a number of
different, small membrane-bound organelles,
e.g., endocytic, transport, transition, and
secretory vesicles.
Endosome: a membrane-enclosed sac that
regulates trafficking of proteins and lipids
among other subcellular compartments of the
secretory and endocytic pathway.
Lysosome: a membranous sac containing
hydrolytic enzymes that aid breakdown of
ingested substances, cell macromolecules,
damaged organelles (autophagy), and its own
cell (autolysis).
Peroxisome: a membranous sac containing
oxidative enzymes (such as catalase) that aid
oxidative breakdown of fatty acids and alcohol.
Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018
Trafficking through the endomembrane system
Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018
Vacuoles
Central vacuole: a large organelle of plants surrounded Contractile vacuole: a membrane-bound organelle found
by a membrane (called tonoplast) and filled with fluid in protists (such as Amoeba, Euglena and Paramecium)
(called cell sap) that stores water and various substances and some animals (such as sponges) that controls
(including nutrients, acids, pigments, salts, wastes, and osmoregulation and waste removal.
toxins) and maintains cell acidity and turgor pressure.
Campbell Essential Biology, 7e, 2019
Mitochondria and chloroplasts
Mitochondrion: a rod-shaped organelle bounded by Chloroplast: a lens- or disc-shaped organelle bounded by a
two membranes in which the inner membrane is folded double membrane surrounding the stroma. Within the stroma
to form cristae and encloses matrix. Considered the is the thylakoid membrane system. Chloroplasts are
powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are major sites of plastids specialized for photosynthesis.
ATP production.
Essentials of Pathophysiology, 3e, 2011
Lewin's Cells, 3e, 2015
The origin of eukaryotes
The endosymbiotic theory designates a class
of hypotheses that view various organelles in
eukaryotic cells as descendants of
endosymbionts, whereby the term endosymbiont
designates a microbial cell that has come to live
stably inside another microbial cell (a host).
In its oldest and most familiar versions,
endosymbiotic theory posits that mitochondria
and plastids were once free-living bacteria.
Mitochondria stem from free-living
proteobacteria. Plastids stem from
cyanobacteria.
Biology, 11e, 2019
Cytoskeletons
Microtubule: a hollow tube composed of tubulin
heterodimers involved in cell shape and support, cell
motility (as in cilia or flagella), chromosome movements
(as spindle apparatus), intracellular transport, and
division of plant cells.
Microfilament: an intertwined helical chains of actin
monomers involved in cell shape and support, muscle
contraction, cytoplasmic streaming (cyclosis) in plant
cells, cell motility (as in amoeboid movement), and
division of plant and animal cells.
Intermediate filament: a filament consisting of coiled
coil dimer of fibrous proteins (e.g. keratins and lamins)
involved in cell shape and support, organelle support,
and nuclear envelope support.
Human Genetics - Concepts and Applications, 12th, 2018
Microtubule-organizing center
Microtubule-organizing center (MTOC): a cellular
structure from which microtubules emerge.
Centrosome: a major MTOC in animal cells composed
of a pair of centrioles at right angles to each other,
each made up of nine triplets of microtubules (9 + 0
pattern).
A modified centrioles called basal bodies are found as
single structures at the base of cilia and flagella in
eukaryotes.
Lewin's Cells, 3e, 2015
Cilia and flagella
Cilium: a cellular projection composed of
microtubules in a 9 + 2 (motile) or 9 + 0
(immotile) arrangement. Motile cilia are
used for locomotion of cells (as in ciliates)
and propulsion of fluid over the cell surface
(as in respiratory tract). Non-motile cilia
are used for sensation of extracellular
environment.
Flagellum: a long, motile cilium generally
used for locomotion of cells (as in sperms
and flagellates).
Biology, 12e, 2020
Animal cell junctions
Tight junctions prevent the Desmosomes anchor cells Gap junctions allow the
passage of materials through together in strong sheets. transfer of small molecules and
spaces between cells. ions between adjacent cells.
Biology, 11e, 2019
Plasma membrane, glycocalyx and extracellular matrix
Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021
Cell wall
Plant cell wall: An extracellular matrix that encloses each cell in a
plant composed mainly of cellulose and contains three layers: the
middle lamella, primary cell wall, and secondary cell wall.
Plasmodesmata: Membranous channels that cross walls of
adjacent plant cells, allowing direct cytoplasmic cell-to-cell
communication.
Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021
Biology, 12e, 2020
Bacterial cell structure
Fundamentals of Microbiology, 11e, 2018
Viral structure
Viral structure
Video: Bacterial Structure and Functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b15Hy3jCPDs
Video: Viral Structure and Functions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1TetEto1Is
