Homeendomembrane system Semi-autonomous organelles Protein sorting to organelles Systems biology of cells Cell Biology & Cell Theory Cell biology: The study of individual cells and their interactions. Cell Theory (Schleiden & Schwann, with contributions from Virchow): All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. Cells are the smallest units of life. New cells arise only from pre-existing cells through division (e.g., binary fission). Origins of Life: Four Overlapping Stages Stage 1: Formation of Organic Molecules Primitive Earth conditions favored spontaneous organic molecule formation. Hypotheses on the origin of organic molecules: Reducing Atmosphere Hypothesis: Earth's early atmosphere (rich in water vapor) facilitated molecule formation. Stanley Miller’s experiment simulated early conditions, producing amino acids and sugars. Extraterrestrial Hypothesis: Organic carbon (amino acids, nucleic acid bases) may have come from meteorites. Debate exists over survival after intense heating. Deep-Sea Vent Hypothesis: Molecules formed in the temperature gradient between hot vent water & cold ocean water. Supported by experimental evidence. Alkaline hydrothermal vents may have created pH gradients that allowed organic molecule formation. Stage 2: Formation of Polymers Early belief: Prebiotic synthesis of polymers was unlikely in aqueous solutions (water competes with polymerization). Experimental evidence: Clay surfaces facilitated the formation of nucleic acid polymers and polysaccharides. Stage 3: Formation of Boundaries Protobionts: Aggregates of prebiotically produced molecules enclosed by membranes. Characteristics of a protobiont: Boundary separating the internal & external environments. Polymers with information (e.g., genetic material, metabolic instructions). Catalytic functions (enzymatic activities). Self-replication. Liposomes: Vesicles surrounded by lipid bilayers. Can enclose RNA and divide. Stage 4: RNA World Hypothesis RNA was likely the first macromolecule in protobionts due to its ability to: Store information. Self-replicate. Catalyze reactions (ribozymes). Chemical Selection & Evolution: RNA mutations allowed faster replication & self-sufficient nucleotide synthesis. Eventually, RNA world was replaced by the DNA-RNA-protein world due to: DNA providing more stable information storage. Proteins offering greater catalytic efficiency and specialized functions. Microscopy Microscopy Parameters Resolution: Ability to distinguish two adjacent objects. Contrast: Difference between structures (enhanced by special dyes). Magnification: Ratio of image size to actual size. Types of Microscopes Light Microscope: Uses light; resolution = 0.2 micrometers. Electron Microscope: Uses electron beams; resolution = 2 nanometers (100x better than light microscopes). Light Microscopy Subtypes Bright Field: Standard; light passes directly through. Phase Contrast: Amplifies differences in light phase shifts. Differential Interference Contrast (DIC): Enhances contrast for internal structures. Electron Microscopy Subtypes Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): Thin slices stained with heavy metals. Some electrons scatter while others pass through to create an image. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): Heavy metal-coated sample. Electron beam scans the surface, producing 3D images. Cell Structure & Function Determined by matter, energy, organization, and information. Genome: The complete set of genetic material. Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells Feature Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells Nucleus ❌ Absent ✅ Present Membrane-bound organelles ❌ None ✅ Yes Size Small (1-10 µm) Large (10-100 µm) Examples Bacteria, Archaea Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists Prokaryotic Cell Structure Plasma Membrane: Lipid bilayer barrier. Cytoplasm: Internal fluid. Nucleoid Region: DNA storage (no nucleus). Ribosomes: Protein synthesis. Cell Wall: (Some) Provides structure & protection. Glycocalyx: Protection & hydration. Flagella: Movement. Pili: Attachment. Eukaryotic Cell Structure Nucleus: Contains DNA & controls cell functions. Organelles: Rough ER: Protein synthesis & sorting. Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis, detoxification. Golgi Apparatus: Protein modification & sorting. Mitochondria: ATP production (Powerhouse of the Cell™). Lysosomes: Digestive enzymes for breakdown & recycling. Peroxisomes: Breakdown of harmful substances. Cytoskeleton: Provides structure (microtubules, actin filaments, intermediate filaments). Plasma Membrane: Regulates transport & signaling. Endomembrane System Includes: Nucleus, ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, and plasma membrane. Nuclear Envelope: Double membrane structure. Nuclear pores allow molecule transport. Golgi Apparatus: Modifies & sorts proteins/lipids. Packages proteins into vesicles for secretion (exocytosis). Lysosomes: Contain acid hydrolases for macromolecule breakdown. Perform autophagy (organelle recycling). Semi-Autonomous Organelles Mitochondria Function: ATP production (cellular respiration). Structure: Outer & inner membrane (inner folds = cristae for increased surface area). Mitochondrial matrix houses metabolic enzymes. Chloroplasts (Plants & Algae) Function: Photosynthesis (light energy → chemical energy). Structure: Outer & inner membrane. Thylakoid membrane (site of photosynthesis). Contains chlorophyll. Endosymbiosis Theory Mitochondria & chloroplasts evolved from free-living bacteria that were engulfed by an ancestral eukaryotic cell. Protein Sorting & Cell Organization Co-translational sorting: Proteins destined for ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vacuoles, or secretion. Post-translational sorting: Proteins sent to nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, peroxisomes. Systems Biology Studies how cellular components interact to form a functional system