Ch.3: Cells and Tissues Flashcards
Cells
- Cells are the structural units of all living things
* The human body has 50 to 100 trillion cells
The Cell Theory
- A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms
- The activity of an organism depends on the collective activities of its cells
- According to the principle of complementarity, the biochemical activities of cells are dictated by their structure (anatomy) which determines their function (physiology)
- Continuity of life has a cellular basis
Most cells are composed of four elements:
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
What percentage of a cell is water?
60%
In general, a cell has three main regions or parts:
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Plasma membrane
The nucleus
• Control center of the cell
The nucleus contains genetic material known as:
- Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA
- DNA is needed for building proteins
- DNA is necessary for cell reproduction
Three regions of the nucleus:
- Nuclear envelope (membrane)
- Nucleolus
- Chromatin
Nuclear envelope (membrane)
- Consists of a double membrane that bounds the nucleus
- Contains nuclear pores that allow for exchange of material with the rest of the cell
- Encloses the jellylike fluid called the nucleoplasm
Nucleolus
- Nucleus contains one or more dark-staining nucleoli
- Sites of ribosome assembly
- Ribosomes migrate into the cytoplasm through nuclear pores to serve as the site of protein synthesis
Chromatin
- Composed of D N A wound around histones (proteins)
- Scattered throughout the nucleus and present when the cell is not dividing
- Condenses to form dense, rod-like bodies called chromosomes when the cell divides
Plasma Membrane
- Transparent barrier for cell contents
- Contains cell contents
- Separates cell contents from surrounding environment
Fluid mosaic model is constructed of:
- Two layers of phospholipids arranged “tail to tail”
- Cholesterol and proteins scattered among the phospholipids
- Sugar groups may be attached to the phospholipids, forming glycolipids
Concept Link 1
Remember, phospholipids are polar molecules: The charged end interacts with water, and the fatty acid chains do not (see Chapter 2, p. 46). It is this property of polarity that makes phospholipids a good foundation for cell membranes.
Phospholipid arrangement in the plasma membrane:
• Hydrophilic (“water loving”) polar “heads” are oriented on the inner and outer surfaces of the membrane
• Hydrophobic (“water fearing”) nonpolar “tails” form the center (interior) of the membrane
This interior makes the plasma membrane relatively impermeable to most water-soluble molecules
Role of proteins:
Responsible for specialized membrane functions:
• Enzymes
• Receptors for hormones or other chemical messengers
• Transport as channels or carriers
Role of sugars:
- Glycoproteins are branched sugars attached to proteins that abut the extracellular space
- Glycocalyx is the fuzzy, sticky, sugar-rich area on the cell’s surface
Cell membrane junctions
Cells are bound together in three ways:
- Glycoproteins in the glycocalyx act as an adhesive or cellular glue
- Wavy contours of the membranes of adjacent cells fit together in a tongue-and-groove fashion
- Special cell membrane junctions are formed, which vary structurally depending on their roles
Main types of cell junctions:
- Tight junctions
- Desmosomes
- Gap junctions (communicating junctions)
Tight junctions
- Impermeable junctions
- Bind cells together into leakproof sheets
- Plasma membranes fuse like a zipper to prevent substances from passing through extracellular space between cells
Desmosomes
- Anchoring junctions, like rivets, that prevent cells from being pulled apart as a result of mechanical stress
- Created by buttonlike thickenings of adjacent plasma membranes
Gap junctions (communicating junctions)
- Allow communication between cells
- Hollow cylinders of proteins (connexons) span the width of the abutting membranes
- Molecules can travel directly from one cell to the next through these channels
Cytoplasm
- The cellular material outside the nucleus and inside the plasma membrane
- Site of most cellular activities
- Includes cytosol, inclusions, and organelles
Three major components of cytoplasm
- Cytosol: Fluid that suspends other elements and contains nutrients and electrolytes
- Inclusions: Chemical substances, such as stored nutrients or cell products, that float in the cytosol
- Organelles: Metabolic machinery of the cell that perform functions for the cell
• Many are membrane-bound, allowing for compartmentalization of their functions