Functional Anatomy of the Cell 

Background

  • typical range: 10-15 µm
  • biggest cell: oocyte (140 µm)

General

  • proteasome: breakdown and recycle proteins
  • cytosol: fluid in cells
  • cytoplasm: fluid in cells + everything dissolved in it
  • glycocalyx: coat on extracellular surface of membrane
    • glycolipids, glycoproteins, and carbohydrates
    • important for cell regonition
  • peripheral proteins: external, bound to exterior of membrane or integral proteins
  • integral proteins: embedded in plasma membrane or attached via covalent bonds
    • transmembrane proteins: cross the membrane
    • carriers: carry things between ECF and ICF
    • channel: allow things pass through membrane on their own
  • receptors: bind to chemical messengers

Cytoskeleton

  • microtubules
    • tubulin
    • simple fibers
    • cilia and flagella
    • movement
    • basal body: point or origin of growth
    • main portion of cytoskeleton
    • track for movement of cargo
  • intermediate fibers
    • mechanical stability
  • microfilaments
    • actin
    • periphery of cell
    • anchor plasma membrane proteins to cytoskeleton
    • cytokineses
    • cell motility
    • track for movement of cargo
    • myosin
  • centrosome
    • microtubule organizing center
    • two centrioles at right angles

Nucleus

  • structure
    • nuclear envelope
    • inside
    • outside: ribosomes
    • nuclear pores
    • nucleolus: site of transcription of rRNA
  • function
    • DNA storage
    • DNA replication
    • DNA transcription

ER

  • structure
    • cisternae: sacs of ER
    • lumen: cavity or chanel within a tube/tubular thing
  • rough
    • ribosomes
    • protein syntehsis
    • protein modification within lumen
  • smooth
    • no ribosomes
    • lipid and carb synthesis
    • sarcroplasmic
    • in muscle cells
    • Ca2+ storage

Golgi

  • structure
    • flattened disconnected sacs
  • function
    • protein/lipid modification, sorting, and packaging

Mitochondria

  • cirsta (cristae pl): shelf-like projections
  • mitochondrial DNA: closed circle, 37 genes

Waste

  • lysosome
    • degradative enzymes
    • breakdown macromolecules, worn-out organelles
    • autolysis: release digestive enzymes into cytosol to break down cellular components
    • primary
    • before lysosome merges with waste
    • secondary
    • after lysosome merges with waste
  • peroxisomes
    • oxidative enzymes
    • catalyze reactions that produce H2O2
    • kidney and liver
    • detoxification
    • breakdown lipids, fatty acids