Chapter 3: Cells – The Living Units

Cellular Basis of Life

• Robert Hooke – late 1600s – observed plant cells• 1830s Schleiden & Schwann – concluded all

living things are composed of cells• Rudolf Virchow – found – all cells come from

preexisting cells

1800s- Cell Theory

1. Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms

2. Activity of organism – depends on individual and collective activities of cells

3. Principal of complementary structure and function – biochemical activities of cells are dictated by relative numbers of subcellular structures

4. Continuity of life from one generation to another has a cellular basis

Human Body

• Trillions of cells• 200 different cell types• Size ranges from 2 µm to 1 m• Structural unit of all living things• All cells composed of C, N, O, and other trace

elements• All cells have same basic parts (generalized or

composite cell)

Human Cells• All have 3 main parts 1. Plasma membrane – outer boundary2. Cytoplasm – intracellular fluid packed with

organelles3. Nucleus – controls cellular activates

Plasma Membrane

• Also called the cell membrane• Flexible• Defines the extent of cell• Separates intracellular fluid from extracellular

fluid

Fluid Mosaic Model

• Thin (7-10 nm) structure• Composed of double layer – bilayer of lipid

molecules with protein molecules dispersed in it

Membrane Lipids• Phospholipids – • Polar head – hydrophilic – “water loving”• Non-polar tail – hydrophobic – “water fearing”• Polar heads are attracted to water, lie on inner and out surfaces• Sandwich like structure – heads on outside, tails on inside• Majority of tails – unsaturated – have kinks and increase

membrane fluidity

Membrane Lipids• Glycoproteins - lipids with sugars attached

– Only on outer membrane surface– 5 % of total membrane

• Cholesterol – 20 % of total membrane– Polar region hydroxyl group– Nonpolar region – fused ring– Stabilizes membrane– Increases mobility of phospholipids

• Lipid Rafts – 20 % of outer membrane– Assemblies of saturated phospholipids– Packed tightly together– Platforms for receptor molecules and cell signaling

Membrane Proteins

• Make up approximately 50 % of membrane• Responsible for specialized function• 2 kinds of proteins – Integral proteins– Peripheral proteins

Membrane Proteins – Integral Protiens

• Inserted into membrane• Some stick out only on one side• Others span entire membrane –

transmembrane proteins– Hydrophobic and hydrophilic

regions – Most involved in transport– Form pores or channels

• Others – carriers – bind substances and move them into membrane

• Also receptors – relay messages to interior of cell

Membrane Proteins – Peripheral Proteins

• Not embedded in membrane• Attached loosely to integral proteins• Include filaments that support

membrane• Some are enzymes• Others – motor proteins – change

cell shape during division and cell contraction

• Glycocaylx – “sugar coating” sugars attached to proteins

• Highly specific biological markers – allow cells to recognize each other

Membrane Junctions• 3 factors that bind cells together1. Glycoproteins in glycocaylx acts as adhesive2. Wavy contours of membrane of adjacent cells fit together – tongue

and groove3. Specialized membrane junctions

a. tight junction – integral proteins of adjacent cells fuse together, prevent molecules from passing

b. desmosomes – anchoring junctions, mechanical couplings

c. gap junctions – nexus cells connected by hallow cylinders – connections (transmembrane proteins), present in electrically excitable tissue

Membrane Transport

• Extracellular fluid – interstitial fluid • Rich, nutritious “soup”• Amino acids, sugars, fatty acids, vitamins, hormones,

salts, wastes, etc. • Plasma Membrane – selectively permeable• Allows some substances to pass, but NOT others• Passive Processes – substances cross without energy

input• Active Process – substances need energy input to cross

Transport - Passive• Diffusion – movement of molecules from an area of high

concentration to an area of low concentration• Down the concentration gradient• Kinetic energy of molecules moves them• Speed of diffusion – influenced by: size – smaller the molecules

are the faster they move• Molecules move until equilibrium is reached (no net

movement)• Plasma membrane – physical barrier – but molecule will diffuse

if it is–1. Lipid soluble2. Small enough to pass through channels3. Assisted by carrier

Transport - Passive

• Simple Diffusion – nonpolar and lipid soluble substances diffuse directly though membrane

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, fat-soluble vitamins, etc,

Transport - Passive

• Facilitated Diffusion – molecules that can not pass through the membrane by themselves

• Transported with the help of a protein• Substance can binds the carrier protein in membrane• Substance may also move through water filled channels• Carriers – integral proteins – allow substances to pass

through membrane• Channels – transport proteins• Transport water or ions through aqueous channels

Transport - Passive

• Osmosis – diffusion of solvent (water) through a selectively permeable membrane

• Aquaporins (APQs) water specific channels in the membrane

• Moves down the concentration gradient• Also depends on the concentration of solutes• Osmolarity – total concentration of all solute

particles in a solution

Transport Passive

• Osmosis cont – • Water diffuses until hydrostatic pressure (back

pressure exerted by water against the membrane) with in the cell is equal to its osmotic pressure (tendency of water to move into cell by osmosis)

• Tonicity – change in shape or tone of cells by altering internal water volume

Solutions

• Isotonic – cells with the same concentration of solutes on the inside and outside

• Hypertonic – solution has a higher concentration than the inside of the cell– Water moves out, cells shrinks

• Hypotonic – solution is more dilute than inside of cell – Water moves in, cell swells

Active Transport Processes• Active Transport – requires protein• Combines specifically and reversibly with transported substances• Solute pumps – move solutes against the concentration gradient• Requires the input of energy• Symbort System – 2 substances transported the same way (both

inside or both outside)• Antiport System – 2 substances transported opposite ways (one

inside and the other outside)

Primary Active Transport

• Hydrolysis of ATP phosphorylation of transport protein

• Protein changes shape – pumps solute across membrane

• Ex. Na+-K+ pump – Na+K+ ATPase – drives sodium out of cell and potassium in

Secondary Active Transport

• Single ATP powered pump indirectly drives secondary active transport

• Na moves back into cell, another substance is cotransported with it

• Ex. Sugar, amino acids, ions, etc

Vesicular Transport

• Fluids containing large particles and macromolecules are transported in membranous sacs – vesicles

• Exocytosis – process that ejects substances from interior of cell

Vesicular Transport• Endocytosis – process that moves substances into the cell• Substances moved in by the infolding of the membrane – coated pit –

clathrin – protein coating, then vesicle detaches• Phagocytosis – cells engulfs large solid material

– Bacteria, debris, etc– Endocytic vesicle – phagosome– Amoeboid motion – flowing of cytoplasm into temporary pseudopods

• Pinocytosis – fluid phase endocytosis– Plasma membrane surrounds small volume of fluid containing dissolved material

• Receptor mediated endocytosis – plasma membrane binds only certain substances

Vesicular Transport

• Other protein coats – • Caleolae – tubular or flask shaped

inpocketings of plasma membrane• Coatomer (COP1 & COP2) proteins – vesicular

trafficking • Transport substances between organelles

Plasma Membrane – Membrane Potential

• Membrane Potential – voltage – electrical potential energy resulting from separation of oppositely charged particles

Plasma Membrane – Membrane Potential

• Resting State – resting membrane potential – range -50 - -100mV

• Cell said to be polarized• (-) indicates inside is negative compared to the outside • Diffusion – causes ionic imbalances that polarize the

membrane, active transport maintains membrane polarization

• Ions – K+ and protein – inside cell• Na+ and Cl- outside cell• Membrane somewhat permeable to K+ - leaky channels• Protein anions cannot follow

Plasma Membrane – Membrane Potential

• Membrane becomes negative = -90 mV• Na+ also a factor – attracted to cell interior –

bring membrane to -70 mV• Active transport – depends on diffusion• More Na+ in, the more is pumped out• Na+/K+ pump – 3 Na out for 2 K in• Electrochemical gradient – electrical and

concentration (chemical) forces

Cell-Environment Interactions

• Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)• Key role in embryonic development, wound

repair, and immunity• Sticky glycoproteins

Cell-Environment Interactions• Functions – 1. Molecular “Velcro” cells use to anchor themselves to molecules in

extracellular space and to each other2. The “arms: that migrating cells use to haul themselves past one

another3. SOS signals – sticking out from blood vessels lining that rally WBC

to infected or damaged area4. Mechanical sensors – respond to tension at cell surface by

stimulating synthesis or degradation of adhesive membrane junction

5. Transmitters of intracellular signals that direct cell migration, proliferation, and specialization

Roles

• Membrane receptors – integral proteins and glycoproteins that serve as binding sites

1. Cell Signaling – coming together and touching of cells

- Cells recognize each other - Essential for normal development and

immunity

Roles2. Chemical Signaling – - Ligands – signaling chemicals, bind to specific plasma

membrane receptors- Include – neurotransmitters, hormones, paracrines- G-Protein – linked receptors – exert effects through G-protein - Second messengers are generated and connect plasma

membrane events to internal- Ex. Cyclic AMP – Ca2+- Activates a protein kinase cascade- Nitric oxide (NO) – another messenger – important signaling

molecule

Cytoplasm

• “cell forming’ material• Cell material between the plasma membrane

and the nucleus• 3 major elements – cytosol, organelles, and

inclusions

Cytoplasm1. Cytosol• Viscous semitransparent fluid• Colloid and solution properties• Dissolved (in water) – protein, sugar, salts, and solutes2. Organelles - • Carry out specific functions – synthesize proteins, package

proteins, etc. • Chemical substances not always present3. Inclusions - • Stored nutrients, lipid droplets, pigment, water containing

vacuoles, crystals of various types

Organelles

• “little organs”• Nonmembranous – lack membranes• Membranous – with membranes

Mitochondria• Lozenge-shaped membranous organelles• Power plants of cells• 2 membranes –

– Outer – smooth and featureless– Inner – folds inward forming cristae

• Gel-like substance inside• Food particles – glucose – broken down into water and carbon

dioxide by enzymes • Metabolites broken down and oxidized – energy released and

captured• Aerobic cellular respiration

Mitochondria

• Contain their own DNA, RNA, and ribosomes• Can reproduce themselves• 37 genes – direct synthesis of 1% of proteins

needed• Similar to bacteria (purple bacteria phylum)• Believed to have arose from bacteria that

evaded plant and animal cells

Ribosomes

• Small dark staining granules• Protein and a variety of RNA – ribosomal RNA• Site of protein synthesis • Some float freely• Others attached to rough ER• Free ribosomes – make soluble proteins• Rough ER – make proteins destined for cell

membranes or export

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

• “network” with in cytoplasm• Intracellular connected tubes and parallel

membranes enclosed fluid filled cavities or cisternae

• Continuous with the nuclear membrane• Half of cells total membrane• 2 types – smooth and rough

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

• Surface covered with ribosomes• Proteins from ribosomes – enter and are

modified• “Membrane factory”

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

• Continuous with the rough ER• No role in protein synthesis• Involved in:

1. Lipid metabolism, cholesterol synthesis, synthesis of lipid components – of lipoproteins

2. Synthesis of steroid hormones (sex hormones)3. Absorption, synthesis, and transport of fats4. Detox of drugs, pesticides, and carcinogens5. Breakdown of stored glycogen into free glucose

- Muscle – also stores calcium

Golgi Apparatus

• Stacked and flattened membranous sacs• Traffic director for cellular proteins• Modify, concentrate and package proteins and

lipids• Secretory vesicles or granules migrated to

plasma membrane and discharge contents

Lysosomes• Inactive digestive enzymes• Cells demolition crew1. Digest particles taken in by endocytosis, particularly

bacteria, viruses, toxins2. Degrade worn-out or nonfunctional organelles3. Metabolic functions – glycogen breakdown and release4. Breakdown of nonuseful tissues – uterine lining during

menstruation5. Breaking down of bone to release calcium into blood- Autolysis – lysosome rupture and cell digests itself

Endomembrane System

• System of organelles that work together to:1. Produce, store, and export biological

materials2. Degrade potential harmful substances• ER, Golgi, secretory vessels, and lysozomes,

also nuclear membrane

Peroxisomes

• “peroxide bodies”• Membranous sacs with a variety of powerful enzymes• Oxidases and catalyzes• Oxidase – use molecular oxygen to detoxify harmful

substances – alcohol/fermaldehyde• Neutralize dangerous free radicals – highly reactive

chemicals with unpaired electrons• Convert to hydrogen peroxide• Numerous in liver and kidney

Cytoskeleton

• “cell skeleton”• Elaborate network of

rods running through cytosol

• 3 parts – microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules

Cytoskeleton - Microtubules

• Elements with largest diameter

• Hallow tubes made of spherical protein subunits- tubulins

• Organelles attached • Motor proteins –

move and reposition organelles

Cytoskeleton - Microfilaments

• Thinnest elements of cytoskeleton

• Strands of protein – actin

• Act together with myosin to generate contractile forces

Cytoskeleton – Intermediate Filaments

• Though insoluble protein fibers• Woven ropes• Internal wires to resist pulling forces acting on

cell

Centrosome and Centrioles

• Centrosome – cell center, microtubule organizing center

• Centrioles – small barrel shaped organelles oriented at right angles to each other

Cellular Extensions

• Cilia – whip like motile cellular extensions on cell surface

• Move substances in one direction across cell surface• Flagella – long projection• Ex. Sperm cell – commonly only a tail

Bases – basal bodies – 9 + 2 pattern of microtubulesMicorvilli – minute, fingerlike extensions of plasma

membrane, increase the SA of plasma membrane

Nucleus

• Control center• Genes• All body cells have nucleus • RBC eject their nucleus – anucleate• Average – 5 µm• Largest organelle• 3 regions – nuclear envelope, nucleoli, and

chromatin

Nuclear Envelope

• Double membrane bilayer• Outer membrane continuous with ER• Inner membrane lined by nuclear lamina• Nuclear pores – protein (NPC) – aqueous

transport channel – entry and exist• Selectively permeable membrane• Nucleoplasm – jellylike fluid on inside

Nucleoli

• Dark-staining spherical bodies with in the nucleus

• Typically 1 or 2 but maybe more• Sites where ribosomal subunits are assembled• Associated with the nucleolar organizer

regions – genetic information for synthesizing rRNA

• rRNA – combined with proton = ribosome

Chromatin• Fine, unevenly stained network

(microscope)• Really bumpy threads• Composed of 30: DNA, 60% histone

proteins, 10% RNA chains• Fundamental unit – nucleosomes –

cluster of 8 histone proteins connected by DNA

• Pack DNA• Ready to divide – condense into

chromosomes

Cell Life Cycle

• Series of changes a cell goes through • 2 major periods

1. Interphase2. Cell Division

Interphase

• Period from cell formation to cell division• Subphases:• G1 (gap 1) phase – – Cell metabolically active– Synthesizes protein and grows

• S phase – DNA replicated– New histones made and assembled into Chromatin

• G2 (gap 2) phase – brief– Enzymes and proteins needed for division are synthesized

Interphase – DNA Replication

1. DNA helix unwinds2. Helicase enzyme untwists helix, replication fork

– Y-shaped separation3. Each strand serves as a template4. DNA Polymerase – attaches complementary

nucleotides, leading strand and lagging strand5. DNA ligase hooks segments of lagging strand

together, leading strand - continuous

Cell Division

• M (mitotic) phase • 2 events – mitosis and

cytokinesis• Mitosis – division of the nucleus• 4 phases

1. Prophase2. Metaphase3. Anaphase4. Telophase

Cell Division

• Cytokinesis – division of the cytoplasm• Begins in late anaphase• Plasma membrane drawn inward (cleavage

furrow) by contractile ring• 2 cells pinched apart

Control of Cell Cycle

• Signals for cell division1. Ratio of SA to volume- 64 fold increase in volume, only 16 fold

increase in SA- Inadequate SA for nutrient and waste

exchange2. Chemical Signals – growth factors, hormones,

etc.

Control of Cell Cycle

• Cyclins and Cdks (cyclin dependent kinases)• Proteins and enzymes that signal the cell to

divide• Also checkpoints for cell division – MPF – M-

phase promoting factor – OK – signal to pass G2 and enter M

Protein Synthesis

• DNA – blueprint for proteins • Gene - sequence of DNA that carries instructions for

proteins• DNA bases – A, C, T, G• 3 bas segments – triplet – “word” that specifies an

amino acid• Most genes have exons – which code for amino acids

separated by introns – noncoding segments of DNA• Introns – can range from 60100,000 nucleotides long– “junk DNA” – must be cut out to make a protein

Protein Synthesis

• DNA can not leave the nucleus so need a carrier

• RNA – (carrier)• 3 types

1. Messenger RNA (mRNA) – long nucleotide strand, “half DNA” codes for a protein

2. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) – part of ribosome3. Transfer RNA (tRNA) – small roughly L-shaped

molecules

Protein Synthesis

2 Parts1. Transcription – DNA mRNA- initiation, elongation and

termination- Promoter – start point- RNA polymerase – initiates

transcription, pulls strands apart, aligns RNA nucleotides

- Termination signal – transcription ends – mRNA pulls off

Protein Synthesis

• mRNA – must then be modified – splicosomes – cut introns (junk) and splice (glue together) remaining exons

Protein Synthesis

2. Translation – - base sequence (mRNA)

converted to amino acids (protein)

- Codon – 3 bas sequence on mRNA – 64 codons for 20 amino acids

- Anticodon - 3 base sequence on tRNA – brings in amino acid

- Amino acids hook together – form a chain = PROTEIN

DNA – other roles

• Antisense RNA – can intercept and bind to protein coding mRNA, prevent it from being translated into protein

• microRNAs – small RNAs that can interfere and suppress mRNA

• Ribositches – folded mRNA, code for a protein– Can turn on protein synthesis in response to

changes in the environment

Protein Degradation

• Proteins - no longer useful• Ubiquitins – proteins that attach to old/bad

protein – mark it for destruction• Proteasomes – digest the protein

OUTSIDE _ Extracellular Materials

• Body fluids – interstitial fluid, blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid

• Cellular secretions – substances that aid in digestion and act as lubricants

• Extracellular Matrix – jelly-like, composed of proteins and polysaccharides

• “cell glue” holds cells together

Development

• Embryo –cells – chemical signals that direct pathways of development

• Cell differentiation – development of specific and distinctive features of cells

• Apoptosis -programmed cell death• Hyperplasia – accelerated growth• Atrophy – decrease in size of organ or body

tissue

Development

• Aging – • Telomere – string of nucleotides at the end of a

chromosome that protect it from fraying• Get shorter with each cell division• Aging – shorten, not protected• Telomerase – enzyme that protects from degradation• Found in egg and sperm cells, NOT in normal body

cells• “fountain of youth”