Chapter 4: Evolution of Cells & Their general Features

The membranes that enclose the nucleus and part of a larger network of membranes.

Endomembrane System

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Smooth ER

Rough ER

Sorts proteins, inserts newly made proteins into ER membrane, and attaches carbohydrates to proteins & lipids (glycosylation). Has ribosomes on its surface.

Provides large surface area for enzymes, involved in carbohydrate metabolism, muscle contraction, and synthesis and modification of lipids. No ribosomes on surface.

Lysosomes

Digest substances that are taken up via endocytosis. Break down intracellular molecules and macromolecules to recycle their building blocks, autophagy.

Vacuoles

  • Central vacuoles in plants store H2O, enzymes and Ca ions. Provide support and pressure on the cell wall, turgor
    pressure
  • Contractile vacuoles in protists for expelling excess water
  • Phagocytic vacuoles in protists and white blood cells for degradation

Peroxisomes

Catalyze certain reactions that break down molecules by removing hydrogen/adding oxygen. Catalase breaks down dangerousH2O2 into water and oxygen

Plasma membrane

  • The boundary between the cell and the
    extracellular environment
  • Membrane transport in and out of cell, with
    selective permeability
  • Cell adhesion
  • Cell signaling using receptors

Nuclear Envelope

  • Double membrane that encloses the nucleus, housing genetic material
  • Nuclear pores provide passageways of molecules and macromolecules

Organelles with DNA that can grow, divide and reproduce themselves, not completely autonomous as they depend on the cell for synthesis of internal components.

Semiautonomous Organelles

Mitochondria

  • Produces ATP and is involved in the synthesis, modification, and
    breakdown of several types of cellular molecules
  • Divides by binary fission

Chloroplast

  • Carry out photosynthesis by capturing light energy and using some of that energy
    to synthesize organic molecules e.g., glucose
  • Divide by binary fission
  • Found in plants and algae

Involved in maintaining cell shape and providing mechanical strength.

Cytoskeleton

Protein Filaments

Actin

Microtubules

Intermediate

  • Known as microfilaments, 7nm
  • Long, thin fibers and dynamic with + and - ends, growth occurs at + end via addition of actin monomers
  • Dispersed throughout cytosol, highly concentrated near plasma membrane
  • Long, hollow cylindrical structures, α and β tubulin subunits, 25nm
  • Dynamic instability, important for sorting of chromosomes in cell division
  • Can grow from + end and shorten in either the + or - end
  • Intermediate in size e.g. keratin, Lamin10 nm
  • Form twisted, ropelike structure
  • Length is permanent
  • Found in nucleus, hair, skin, kidney cells

Nucleus

Membrane bound compartment that contains and stores DNA

Nucleolus

Droplet organelle of nondividing cells that assembles ribosomes

Ribosomes

Site of polypeptide synthesis

Cytosol

Region of eukaryotic cell that is outside the organelles but inside the plasma membrane, where metabolism and synthesis occur

Cytoplasm

Region enclosed by the plasma membrane, includes cytosol and organelles