lecture 1 - introduction to cell biology

What is cell biology

The study of cell structure , composition , function and behaviour

Why is molecular biology used in pharmacology ?

It is used to understand the fundamental building blocks and how drugs interact with cellular components

What is a cell?

A cell is the smallest unit of life and can either be multicellular or unicellular

Which device is used to study cells?

Microscopy

What is fluorescent imaging?

Tagging proteins with GFP markers , therefore you can track individual proteins

What is optogenetics?

The use of specific wavelengths of light to control specific neurons inside living organisms

What are some of the features of prokaryotic cells?

• Small size

• Small genome

• Circular chromosomes

• Flagella for motility

What are some of the features of eukaryotic cells?

• large

• More structurally complex

• Large genome

• Transport via ATP

• Nucleus

• Membrane bound

• Cytoskeleton

What is the role of the plasma membrane?

It separates the cell from its surroundings helping to control the movement of substances not and out of the cell whilst maintaining its concentration gradient and allowing for cell signalling

What is the plasma membrane made out of?

Phospholipids , that are made out of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic head

What is the role of the nucleus?

It consists of genetic membrane whilst being double membrane bound , helping to regulate gene expression and control cell activities whilst being the site of DNA and RNA synthesis

What is the role of the nucleolus ?

It is the site of ribosomal biogenesis

What s the role of the nuclear envelope?

It is a double lips bilateral , which is entered by nuclear pores which act as gates to the nucleus

What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum

An internconnecting membrane system made of flattened sacs and tubules

What is the difference between the Smooth ER and the Rough ER

The rough ER contains ribosomes on its membrane

What is the role of the Rough ER?

It is coated with ribosomes and has a role in synthesis of proteins designed for secretion or membranes , helping with the initial protein folding and modification

What does the ribosome do?

It translates information carried by mRNA to the proteins

What does the Golgi apparatus do?

It is made of fattened membrane sacs called cisternae and it processes, packs and exports proteins from its cis to trans face

What do lysosomes and endosomes consist of?

Acid hydrolyses , proton pump , glycolax shield membrane

What actins do the lysosome and endosome perform?

Endocystosis , phagocytosis and autrophagy

What is the role of the mitochondria?

It is the site of aerobic respiration

How does the double membrane of the mitochondria help with aerobic cellular respiration?

It creates high surface area for energy generation (ATP)

What is the role of peroxisome?

• Fatty acid beta-oxidation

• Hydrogen produced detoxification

• Lipid biosynthesis

• Chemical detoxification

What is the difference between the cytosol and the cytoplasm

Cytoplasm is all content within plasma membrane except for the nucleus whereas the cytosol concentrated aqueous ge that surrounds the organelles

What is the cytoskeleton?

The cells internal structural and organisational system

What is the cytoskeleton made of and what role does it provide?

• Microfilaments (actin) : keep cell shape and cytokinesis

• Microtubules (tubules) : intracellular transport

• Intermediate filaments : mechanical strength

What are the model organisms?

Non-human species are studied to understand human biology

What are some examples of model organisms?

• E-coli ( bacterium )

• C.elegas ( roundworm)

• Drosophila mealnogaster ( fruit fly)

• Dania rerio ( zebratis )

• Mus musculus ( lab mouse)

What are some advantages of using model organisms?

• short life cycles therefore can study development quickly

• Can easily manipulate their genomes to mimic human diseases

• Environmental variables like diet , temperature and sleep can be standardised

• Fewer neuron’s and simpler neural circuits therefore easier to map and analyse