The Cell
Dr. Udeshika Yapa Bandara
BSc. (Hons) Human Biology (USJP), PhD (UOC)
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Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this session the student should be able to understand,
• the structure of the cell and cellular organelles
The Cell
• Body’s smallest functional unit
• Study of the structure and function of the cells is called
cytology / cell biology.
Cell
•Smallest unit of living material
•Functions to maintain homeostasis
within the body
Loss of the ability to maintain homeostasis Diseases
Structure of human cell
Plasma membrane
Cytoplasm
Main parts of
the cell
Nucleus
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Plasma membrane
• Forms the cell’s flexible outer surface
• Separating the cell’s internal and external environment
• It is a selective barrier that regulates the flow of materials into
and out of a cell
• It also plays a key role in communication among cells and
between cells and their external environment
Structure of the cell membrane
(Fluid-Mosaic Model)
Structure
• Made up of lipids, proteins, and a small amount of carbohydrates
• The content varies according to the nature of the membrane
• Typically, it contains
✓ Lipids
✓ Proteins
✓ Carbohydrates
The phospholipid bilayer
• Arranged like a sandwich
– Hydrophilic heads aligned on the outer surfaces of the membrane
– Hydrophobic tails forming a central water - repelling layer
– These differences influence the transfer of substances across the
membrane.
The phospholipid molecules
• Head
– Which is electrically charged and
hydrophilic
• Tail
– Which has no charge and is
hydrophobic
Plasma membrane – Protein
Transmembrane Proteins
Integral protein
• Extend into or through the lipid bilayer and are firmly embedded in it.
• Most are transmembrane protein
✓ Span the entire lipid bilayer and protrude into both the cytosol and
extracellular fluid
✓ Provide channels that allow the passenger for electrolytes, non
lipid soluble substances
Peripheral proteins
• Not as firmly embedded in the membrane
• Attached to the polar heads of membrane lipids or to integral
proteins at the inner or outer surface of the membrane
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrate
• 3rd major component of plasma
• Extra celluler surface of the cell membraneis decorated with
carbohydrate channels
• Carbohydrate molecules linked to :
– Protein Glycoproteins
– Lipid Glycolipid
Plasma membrane - Functions
• Acts as a barrier separating inside and outside of the cell
• Allow selective substances to pass and barrier for others
• Controls the flow of substances into and out of the cell
• Participates in intercellular signalling
• Protect cytoplasm and organelles
• Maintain – shape and size
• Attach with branched carbohydrate molecules and give the
immunological identity for the cell.
• Act as specific receptor; Hormone and chemical messenger
Cytoplasm
• Consists of all the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus
Plasma Cytosol
membrane Cytoplasm
Organelles
Nucleus
Cytosol
• Fluid portion of the cytoplasm that surrounds organelles
• Constitutes about 55% of total cell volume
• It varies in composition and consistency from one part of a cell
to another,
• Cytosol is 75–90% water plus various dissolved and
suspended components
Organelles
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Organelles
• Specialized structures within the cell that have
characteristic shapes, and they perform specific functions
in cellular growth, maintenance, and reproduction
Cytoskeleton
• Network of protein filaments
that extends throughout the
cytosol
Cytoskeleton
• Skeleton of the cell- maintains cell shape & structure
• Controls organelle location
• Required for cell movement
• Consists of
-microfilaments (8 nm diameter)
-intermediate filaments (10 nm diameter)
-microtubules (25 nm diameter
Filaments in Cytoskeleton
Microfilaments
• long, thin elements made of the protein actin.
• Microtubules
– Largest of the cytoskeletal components, long, unbranched tubes
– hollow, thick elements made of the protein tubulin.
• Intermediate Filaments
• Elements with diameters in between that of microtubules
& microfilaments.
• Made of various proteins
Nucleus
Nucleus
• Control center of the cell
• The largest organelle of the cell
• Oval shaped structure
• Directs all metabolic activities
• Bordered by a porous membrane - nuclear envelope.
• Contains thin fibers of DNA and protein called Chromatin.
• Contains a small round nucleolus
• Produces ribosomal RNA which makes ribosomes.
• The circles on the surface of the nucleus are the nuclear pores. Ribosomes, and
other materials move in and out of the cell
Functions of Nucleus
• Stores heredity material in the form of DNA and controls
the heredity characteristics in human being
• It maintain cellular metabolism through controlling synthesis
of particular enzymes
• It is responsible for protein synthesis, cell division, growth and
differentiation
Mitochondria
Mitochondria
• “Powerhouse”
• Generate most of the chemical energy through aerobic respiration
• Active cells have large number of mitochondria (Muscle, liver and
kidney cells)
• Enclosed by two membranes
• Inner layer fold and create cristae to increase surface area
Ribosomes
• The site for protein synthesis
• Tiny granules composed of RNA and proteins
• No plasma membrane
• Free ribosome –
– In cytoplasm
– Synthesis of protein use within cell
• Membrane-bound ribosome –
– Attach to endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus
membrane
– Synthesis proteins for export from the cell
Endoplasmic reticulum/ ER
Endoplasmic reticulum/ ER
• ER is a network of interconnected membranous canals in the cytoplasm
• Extends from the nuclear envelop to which it is connected and throughout the
cytoplasm
• Two types;
1. Rough ER
• Continues with nuclear membrane, studded with ribosomes,
synthesis proteins
2. Smooth ER
• Extends from rough ER, No ribosomes , contain unique enzymes,
Synthesize fatty acids and steroids
Golgi apparatus/ complex
• Consists of stacks of closely folded flattened
membranous sacks
• Modify proteins receive from ER, to form
glycoprotein and glycolipid
• Those proteins stored in vesicles, left from Golgi
complex for deliver to plasma membrane.
• Responsible for modifies, packages and
transports proteins and lipids into vesicles for
delivery to targeted destinations.
Lysosome
• Vesicles that form from the Golgi complex
• Contains a variety of enzymes involved in breaking
down fragments of organelles and large molecules inside
the cell
• Lytic function
Centrosomes
• Cylindrical structures, made up with microtubules
• Located near the nucleus consists of two components: a pair of
centrioles
• Play an important role in cell division
Cillia and flagella
Cilia and flagella
• Motile projections of the cell surface consist of microtubules
• Cilia are numerous, short, hair like projections
• Flagella is typically much longer single whip-like projections
• Cilia move fluids along a cell’s surface
Ex: cilia lining of fallopian tubes bring ovum towards the uterus
• Flagella moves an entire cell Ex: moving of sperm
Questions:
1. Describe the anatomical structure of plasma membrane with
a fully labelled diagram.
2. Write short notes on the following structures.
- Nucleus
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Mitochondria
