Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory
Science
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
LECTURE BASED
Laboratory: Biochemistry of the Cell 4. Chromatin Scattered throughout
the nucleus (when cell
TOPIC OUTLINE is not dividing).
1 The Cell 5. Chromosomes Dense rod like bodies
2 The Nucleus (when cell is dividing).
3 The Plasma Membrane
4 The Cytoplasm
5 Organelles
6 Cell Physiology: Membrane Transport The Cell
Cell
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living
organisms. So, when you define cell properties, you are in fact defining
the properties of life.
The activity of an organism depends on the collective activities of
its cells.
According to the principle of complementarity, the activities of cells
are dictated by their structure (anatomy), which determines function
(physiology).
Continuity of life has a cellular basis.
Composition of Nucleus
PARTS FUNCTION
1. Nuclear Double membrane
Envelope/Nuclear barrier.
Membrane
2. Nucleoplasm Jelly like fluid of the
nucleus in which
nuclear elements are
suspended
3. Nucleolus Site where ribosomes
are assembled.
TRANSCRIBED BY JEAN HERSHEY REYES 1
Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory
Science
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
LECTURE BASED
The Nucleus Three Major Components of Cytoplasm
1. CYTOSOL
Semitransparent fluid that suspends the other
elements.
2. INCLUSIONS
Stored nutrients or cell products floating in the
cytosol.
Also known as Cellular Pantry
3. ORGANELLES
“Little organs” are specialized cellular compartments
that are metabolic machinery of the cell.
Plasma Membrane
ORGANELLES STRUCTURE FUNCTIONS
1. Mitochondria
Rod like, double- Site of aerobic
membrane structures; respiration (the
inner membrane folded “burning” of glucose)
into projections called and ATP synthesis;
cristae. powerhouse of the cell.
2. Ribosomes Dense particles
consisting of two
subunits, each
composed of ribosomal The sites of protein
RNA and protein. Free synthesis.
or attached to rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
3. Rough Membranous system Membranous system
Endoplasmic enclosing a cavity, the enclosing a cavity, the
Reticulum tunnel, and coiling tunnel, and coiling
TRANSCRIBED BY JEAN HERSHEY REYES 2
Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory
Science
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
LECTURE BASED
through the cytoplasm. through the cytoplasm. 8. Microtubules
Externally studded with Externally studded with Support the cell and
ribosomes. ribosomes. Cylindrical structures give it shape. Involved
made of tubulin in intracellular and
proteins cellular movements.
Form centrioles and
cilia and flagella, if
4. Smooth present.
Endoplasmic 9. Microfilaments Involved in muscle
Reticulum Site of lipid and steroid Fine filaments contraction and other
Membranous system of (cholesterol) synthesis, composed of the types of intracellular
tunnels and sacs; free lipid metabolism, and protein actin. movement; help form
of ribosomes. drug detoxification. the cell cytoskeleton
and microvilli, if
present.
10. Intermediate
5. Golgi Apparatus Filaments The stable cytoskeletal
Packages, modifies, Protein fibers; elements; resist
A stack of flattened and segregates composition varies. mechanical forces
membranes and proteins for secretion acting on the cell.
associated vesicles from the cell, inclusion
close to the ER. in lysosomes, or
incorporation into the
plasma membrane. 11. Centrioles
Organize a microtubule
6. Peroxisomes The enzymes detoxify Paired cylindrical network during mitosis
Membranous sacs of a number of toxic bodies, each (cell division) to form
oxidase and catalase substances such as composed of nine the spindle and asters.
enzymes. free radicals. The most triplets of microtubules Form the bases of cilia
important enzyme, and flagella.
catalase, breaks down
hydrogen peroxide. 12. Inclusions Varied; includes stored
7. Lysosomes nutrients such as lipid Storage for nutrients,
Membranous sacs Sites of intracellular droplets and glycogen wastes, and cell
containing acid digestion. The granules, protein products.
hydrolases (powerful “stomach” of the cell. crystals, pigment
digestive enzymes). granules.
TRANSCRIBED BY JEAN HERSHEY REYES 3
Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory
Science
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
LECTURE BASED
are exocytosis and endocytosis.
Cell Physiology
All cells exhibit irritability (the ability to respond to stimuli), digest Exocytosis moves secretions and other substances
foods, excrete wastes, and are able to reproduce, grow, move, and out of cells; a membrane-bounded vesicle fuses with
metabolize. the plasma membrane, ruptures, and ejects its
contents to the cell exterior.
Cell Physiology: Membrane Transport Endocytosis, in which particles are taken up by
enclosure in a plasma membrane sac, includes
phagocytosis (uptake of solid particles),
A.) Passive processes: Diffusion and Filtration
pinocytosis (uptake of fluids), and the highly
Diffusion is the movement of a substance from an area of its higher selective receptor-mediated endocytosis.
concentration to an area of its lower concentration.
In the latter, membrane receptors bind with and
It occurs because of kinetic energy of the molecules
internalize only selected target molecules
themselves; no ATP is required.
The diffusion of dissolved solutes through the plasma
membrane is simple diffusion.
The diffusion of water across the plasma membrane is
osmosis.
Diffusion that requires a protein channel or carrier is
facilitated diffusion.
Filtration is the movement of substances through a membrane from an
area of high hydrostatic pressure to an area of lower fluid pressure. In
the body, the driving force of filtration is blood pressure.
B.) Active processes (active transport and vesicular transport) use
energy (ATP) provided by the cell.
In active transport, substances are moved across the
membrane against an electrical or a concentration
gradient by proteins called solute pumps.
This accounts for the transport of amino acids, some
sugars, and most ions.
The two types of ATP-activated vesicular transport
TRANSCRIBED BY JEAN HERSHEY REYES 4
