Cell Organelles - Notes Cell Theory Cells Are The Basic Unit of Life. The Cell Theory States That

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CELL ORGANELLES - NOTES

CELL THEORY

Cells are the basic unit of life. 

The Cell Theory states that:

1) All organisms are made up of one or more cells and the


products of those cells.

2) All cells carry out life activities (require energy, grow, have a
limited size).

3) New cells arise only from other living cells by the process of
cell division.

THE THREE MAIN COMPONENTS OF ANY PLANT OR ANIMAL CELL


ARE:

1. PLASMA MEMBRANE/ CELL MEMBRANE

Structure- a bilipid membranous layer composed of proteins and


carbohydrates.  It is fluid like.

Function - the cell membrane separates the cell from its external
environment, and is selectively permeable (controls what gets in
and out).  It protects the cell and provides stability.

Proteins are found embedded within the plasma membrane, with


some extending all the way through in order to transport
materials.

Carbohydrates are attached to proteins and lipids on the outer


lipid layer.
 

2. CYTOPLASM

Structure - The jelly-like substance composed of mainly water and


found between the cell membrane and nucleus.  The cytoplasm
makes up most of the "body" of a cell and is constantly
streaming.

Function - Organelles are found here and substances like salts


may be dissolved in the cytoplasm.

3. NUCLEUS

Structure - The largest organelle in the cell. It is dark and round,


and is surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear
envelope/membrane.  In spots the nuclear envelope fuses to form
pores which are selectively permeable.  The nucleus contains
genetic information (DNA) on special strands called chromosomes. 

Function - The nucleus is the "control center" of the cell, for cell
metabolism and reproduction.

THE FOLLOWING ORGANELLES ARE FOUND IN BOTH PLANT


AND ANIMAL CELLS.

1. "ER" OR ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

The Endoplasmic Reticulum is a network of membranous canals


filled with fluid.  They carry materials throughout the cell.  The
ER is the "transport system" of the cell.
There are two types of ER: rough ER and smooth ER.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is lined with ribosomes and is


rough in appearance and smooth endoplasmic reticulum contains
no ribosomes and is smooth in appearance.

2. RIBOSOMES

Ribosomes are small particles which are found individually in the


cytoplasm and also line the membranes of the rough endoplasmic
reticulum.  Ribosomes produce protein.  They could be thought of
as "factories" in the cell.

3. GOLGI BODY / APPARATUS

Golgi bodies are stacks of flattened membranous stacks (they look


like pancakes!).  The Golgi Body temporarily stores protein which
can then leave the cell via vesicles pinching off from the Golgi.

4. LYSOSOMES

Lysosomes are small sac-like structures surrounded by a single


membrane and containing strong digestive enzymes which when
released can break down worn out organelles or food.  The
lysosome is also known as a suicide sac. 

5. MITOCHONDRIA

The mitochondria are round "tube-like" organelles that are


surrounded by a double membrane, with the inner membrane
being highly folded.  the mitochondria are often referred to as the
"powerhouse" of the cell.  the mitochondria releases food energy
from food molecules to be used by the cell.  This process is
called respiration.  Some cells( muscle cells)  require more energy
than other cells and so would have many more mitochondria.
 

6. VACUOLES

Vacuoles are fluid filled organelles enclosed by a membrane. 


They can store materials such as food, water, sugar, minerals
and waste products.

ANIMAL CELLS ORGANELLES NOT FOUND IN PLANT CELLS:

CILIA AND FLAGELLA

Both cilia and flagella are hair-like organelles which extend from
the surface of many animal cells.  the structure is identical in
both, except that flagella are longer and whiplike and cilia are
shorter.  There are usually only a few flagella on a cell, while
cilia may cover the entire surface of a cell. The function of cilia
and flagella include locomotion for one-celled organisms and to
move substances over cell surfaces in multi-celled organisms.

ORGANELLES AND OTHER FEATURES FOUND ONLY IN PLANT


CELLS:

1. CELL WALL

The cell wall is a rigid organelle composed of cellulose and lying


just outside the cell membrane.  The cell wall gives the plant
cell it's box-like shape.  it also protects the cell.  The cell wall
contains pores which allow materials to pass to and from the cell
membrane.

 
2. PLASTIDS

Plastids are double membrane bound organelles.  It is in plastids


that plants make and store food. Plastids are found in the
cytoplasm and there are two main types:

   Leucoplasts - colorless organelles which store starch or other


plant nutrients.  ( example - starch stored in a potato)

    Chromoplasts - contain different colored pigments. The most


important type of chromoplast is the chloroplast, which contains
the green pigment chlorophyll.  This is important in the process of
photosynthesis.

3. CENTRAL VACUOLE

The central vacuole is a large fluid-filled vacuole found in plants.

 Nucleus

Known as the cell’s “command center,” the nucleus is a large organelle that stores the
cell’s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The nucleus controls all of the cell’s activities, such as growth and
metabolism, using the DNA’s genetic information. Within the nucleus is a smaller structure called the
nucleolus, which houses the RNA (ribonucleic acid). RNA helps convey the DNA’s orders to the rest of
the cell and serves as a template for protein synthesis.

 Ribosomes
Ribosomes are the protein factories of the cell. Composed of two subunits, they can be found floating
freely in the cell’s cytoplasm or embedded within the endoplasmic reticulum. Using the templates and
instructions provided by two different types of RNA, ribosomes synthesize a variety of proteins that are
essential to the survival of the cell.

 Endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a membranous organelle that shares part of its membrane with that
of the nucleus. Some portions of the ER, known as the rough ER, are studded with ribosomes and are
involved with protein manufacture. The rest of the organelle is referred to as the smooth ER and serves
to produce vital lipids (fats).

 Golgi apparatus

.
If the proteins from the rough ER require further modification, they are transported to the Golgi
apparatus (or Golgi complex). Like the ER, the Golgi apparatus is composed of folded membranes. It
searches the protein’s amino acid sequences for specialized “codes” and modifies them accordingly.
These processed proteins are then stored in the Golgi or packed in vesicles to be shipped elsewhere in
the cell.

 Chloroplasts

In plants and some algae, organelles known as chloroplasts serve as the site of photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts contain a pigment known as chlorophyll, which captures the sun’s energy to transform
water and carbon dioxide into glucose for food. Chloroplasts allow autotrophic organisms to meet their
energy needs without consuming other organisms.

 Mitochondria

The “powerhouses” of the cell, mitochondria are oval-shaped organelles found in most eukaryotic cells.
As the site of cellular respiration, mitochondria serve to transform molecules such as glucose into an
energy molecule known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP fuels cellular processes by breaking its
high-energy chemical bonds. Mitochondria are most plentiful in cells that require significant amounts of
energy to function, such as liver and muscle cells.

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