Bicol University

College of Nursing
Legazpi City
AY 2018-2019

Cell and Its Organelles

Olivares, Amanda Jan D.

BSN I-A

Noemi Roces Madrid

Professor
Cell Description

Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of
trillions of cells. They provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those
nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized functions. Cells also contain the body’s hereditary
material and can make copies of themselves.

Cells have many parts, each with a different function. Some of these parts, called
organelles, are specialized structures that perform certain tasks within the cell.

Function of Cells
Scientists define seven functions that must be fulfilled by a living organism. It is the
biology of cells which enables living things to perform all of these functions. These are:

1. A living thing must respond to changes in its environment.

2. A living thing must grow and develop across its lifespan.
3. A living thing must be able to reproduce or make copies of itself.
4. A living thing must have metabolism.
5. A living thing must maintain homeostasis or keep its internal environment the same
regardless of outside changes.
6. A living thing must be made of cells.
7. A living thing must pass on traits to its offspring.

Categories of Cells
Rather than grouping cells by their size or shape, scientists typically categorize them by
how their genetic material is packaged. If the DNA within a cell is not separated from the
cytoplasm, then that cell is a prokaryote. All known prokaryotes, such as bacteria and archaea,
are single cells. In contrast, if the DNA is partitioned off in its own membrane-bound room
called the nucleus, then that cell is a eukaryote. Some eukaryotes, like amoebae, are free-living,
single-celled entities. Other eukaryotic cells are part of multicellular organisms. For instance, all
plants and animals are made of eukaryotic cells — sometimes even trillions of them.
Cross-section of a Cell Membrane

The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a double layer of lipids and
proteins that surrounds a cell and separates the cytoplasm (the contents of the cell) from its
surrounding environment. It is selectively permeable, which means that it only lets certain
molecules enter and exit. It can also control the amount of some substances that go into or out of
the cell. All cells have a cell membrane.

Phospholipids are a main component of the cell membrane. These are lipid molecules
made up of a phosphate group head and two fatty acid tails. The properties of phospholipid
molecules allow them to spontaneously form a double-layered membrane. When in water or an
aqueous solution, which includes the inside of the body, the hydrophilic heads of phospholipids
will orient themselves to be on the outside, while the hydrophobic tails will be on the inside. The
technical term for this double layer of phospholipids that forms the cell membrane is a
phospholipid bilayer. Eukaryotic cells, which make up the bodies of all organisms except for
bacteria and archaea, also have a nucleus that is surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer membrane.
 In addition, the cell membrane contains glycolipids and sterols. One important sterol is
cholesterol, which regulates the fluidity of the cell membrane in animal cells. When there is less
cholesterol, membranes become more fluid, but also more permeable to molecules. The amount
of cholesterol in the membrane helps maintain its permeability so that the right amount of
molecules can enter the cell at a time, not too many or too few.

The cell membrane also contains many different proteins. Proteins make up about half of
the cell membrane. Many of these proteins are transmembrane proteins, which are embedded in
the membrane but stick out on both sides. Some of these proteins are receptors which bind to
signal molecules, while others are ion channels which are the only means of allowing ions into or
out of the cell. Scientists use the fluid mosaic model to describe the structure of the cell
membrane. The cell membrane has a fluid consistency due to being made up in large part of
phospholipids, and because of this, proteins move freely across its surface. The multitude of
different proteins and lipids in the cell membrane give it the look of a mosaic.
Cross-section of Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cell

Prokaryotes (pro-KAR-ee-ot-es) (from Old Greek pro- before + karyon nut or kernel,
referring to the cell nucleus, + suffix -otos, pl. -otes; also spelled "procaryotes") are
organisms without a cell nucleus (= karyon), or any other membrane-bound
organelles. Most are unicellular, but some prokaryotes are multicellular.

Eukaryotes (IPA: [juːˈkæɹɪɒt]) are organisms whose cells are organized into complex
structures by internal membranes and a cytoskeleton. The most characteristic
membrane bound structure is the nucleus. This feature gives them their name, (also
spelled "eucaryote,") which comes from the Greek ευ, meaning good/true, and
κάρυον, meaning nut, referring to the nucleus. Animals, plants, fungi, and protists
are eukaryotes.
Comparison of Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

The distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is

the most important distinction among groups of organisms.
Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, such
as the nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not. Differences in
cellular structure of prokaryotes and eukaryotes include the
presence of mitochondria and chloroplasts, the cell wall, and
the structure of chromosomal DNA.

Eukaryotic Cell Prokaryotic Cell

Nucleus Present Absent

Number of chromosomes More than one One (but not true

chromosome; plasmids)

Cell type Multicellular Unicellular

True membrane bound nucleus Present Absent

Lysosomes and Peroxisomes Present Absent

Microtubules Present Absent or rare

Endoplasmic Reticulum Present Absent

Mitochondria Present Absent

Cytoskeleton Present May be absent

Golgi Apparatus Present Absent

Chloroplast Present (in plants) Absent

Permeability of nuclear Selective Not present
membrane

Cell wall Only in plant cells and Usually chemically

fungi (chemically simple) complexed

Cell size 10-100um 1-10um

List of Functions of Cell Organelles

Cell organelles can be divided into:

• Membrane-bound organelles (which are found in eukaryotic cells only), and

• Non-membrane-bound organelles (including ribosomes and some of the

structures that form the cell's cytoskeleton)

Membrane-bound organelles include:

1. Nucleus
2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
3. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
4. Mitochondria
5. Chloroplasts (plant cells only)
6. Golgi Apparatus
7. Lysosomes
8. Peroxisomes (also called "microbodies" - smaller than lysosomes and contain specific
enzymes)
9. Secretory vesicles (sometimes called simply "vesicles")
10. Vacuole (plant cells only)
Non-membrane-bound organelle structures include:
1. Ribosomes
and the following structure that form part of the cell's cytoskeleton:
1. Microfilaments (formed from actin)
2. Microtubules (formed from tubulin)
3. Intermediate Filaments (formed from intermediate filament proteins, e.g. keratin)
4. Junctions
5. Centrosomes
6. Cilia
7. Flagella (of spermatozoa differ from prokaryotic flagella)
 Organelle Picture Description Biological Function
Cell Wall outer layer support (grow tall),
rigid, strong, stiff protection; allows
made of cellulose H2O, O2, CO2 to pass
into and out of cell

Cell membrane Boundary (“wall”) Allows nutrients/

between the cell and regulates movement in
the environment and out of the cell.
“Selectively
Permeable”
Nucleus large, oval generally; controls cell activities;
surrounded by nuclear key organelle which
envelope has the genetic
material and is
involved in
multiplication of cell,
growth and
maintenance of cell
Nucleolus Found inside cell’s Make ribosomes,
nucleus; disappears contains building
during cell division blocks or mRNA,
tRNA, rRNA
Nuclear The outer lining or Controls movement of
membrane wall of the nucleus. materials in/out of
(Sometimes this is nucleus
called the nuclear
envelope.)
Cytoplasm clear, thick, jellylike suspends and holds a
material (cytosol); cell’s organelles, such
contains cytoskelon as the nucleus
fibers

Centrioles paired structures near Separates

the nucleus; made of chromosome pairs
cylinder of during mitosis
microtubule pairs
Smooth ER Smooth ER has no The site of a cellular
ribosomes present. chemical reaction.
“Transportation
system with no
workers”
Rough ER Rough ER means The site of cellular
ribosomes are chemical reactions.
attached and are “Transportation
synthesizing/making system with workers”
proteins.
Ribosome small bodies free or synthesizes proteins
attached to E.R.;
made of rRNA and
protein
Mitochondria bean-shaped, inner “Powerhouse of cell”
membranes; Double breaks down sugar
membrane outer, molecules into
smooth inner folded energy ; site of
into cristae aerobic cellular
respiration
Golgi apparatus These are the to modify and
vacuoles or sac like package proteins for
structures. They export; have cis and
occupy a considerable trans face
amount of cytoplasm.;
stacks of flattened
sacs
Vacuole Membrane-bound Vacuoles are pouches
“compartment” in the cell that store
materials such as
water, salts, proteins,
and carbohydrates,
waste products and
toxic waste.
Lysosome Contains digestive Contain enzymes
enzyme; small, round which digest excess
organelles, food
particles, viruses, and
bacteria. The
“vacuum cleaner” of a
cell. They break down
organelles not needed.
Chloroplast green, oval usually converts light energy
containing (SUN) to chemical
chlorophyll (green energy (SUGAR).
pigment) Contains Chlorophyll

Cilia Have a 9-2 Structures used to

arrangement of enable movement of
microtubules *short cells or sometimes to
but numerous propel substances
 across outer surface of
the cell.
Predominantly protein
in composition.
Flagella Have a 9-2 Structures used to
arrangement of enable movement of
microtubules *long cells or sometimes to
but few in number propel substances
across outer surface of
the cell.
Predominantly protein
in composition.
Microtubules These are filamentous Part of cell skeleton
extensions in that act as a scaffold
cytoplasm. to maintain the shape
of a cell. (“Supporting
Framework”)
 References

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