Cell Biology

#1: INTRO

When the microvilli are cut horizontally, from the top, you can see microtubules in pairs:

What are three essential features of a cell?

1.     Cell membrane (has a limiting membrane (inside/outside compartments)

2.     Contains biomolecules (e.g. DNA/RNA, proteins)

3.     Is an autonomous unit in performing a function.

4.     Can respond & adapt to stimuli.

5.     Can (often) reproduce itself

Robert Hooke first came up with the term “cell”. Cells are the basic building blocks of life.

Cells are diverse-> the oocyte is ±150 µm in diameter, while the sperm cell is ±1,5 µm in diameter.  So, two very important cells in life look completely different while containing similar “ingredients”: DNA, RNA and proteins.

DNA structure also tells you a lot about its function, as DNA that gets used very often differs from DNA that is being stored for later use.