Chapter 3 Cell Structure and Taxonomy
Chapter 3 Cell Structure and Taxonomy
Chapter 3 Cell Structure and Taxonomy
Introduction to Microorganisms
A. Definitions
1. Cell – fundamental living unit of any organism
- Cells are classified as..
Procaryotes
• Do not have complex system of membranes and organelles
• Bacteria and Archaea
Eucaryotes
• More complex cells, containing true nucleus and many membrane
bound organelles.
• Algae, Protozoa, fungi, plants, animals, and humans
2. Metabolism – refers to all the chemical reactions that occur within a cell
Importance of metabolism – growth, reproduction, and irritability
3. Mutation – accidental changes in genetical material
B. EUCARYOTES
MITOSIS
- Refers to nuclear division – the equal division of one nucleus into two
genetically identical nuclei
- Chromosomes are copied and allocated equally two daughter cells
- The genosomes of the off spring are identical to the parent’s genome
- Either haploid or diploid cells can divide by mitosis
MEIOSIS
- Two parents give rise to offspring that have unique combinations of genes
inherited from both parents
- Only diploid cells can undergo meiosis.
- Diploid cells are changed into haploid cells
-Ex: Human diploid cells – 46 chromosomes
Human haploid cells – 23 chromosomes
A. Cell Membrane - is like a “skin” around the cell, separating the contents of
the cell from the outside world
- regulates the passage of nutrients, waste products, and
secretions into and out of the cell – selective permeability.
(only certain substances may enter and leave the cell)
B. Nucleus - “Command center” of the cell because it unifies, controls,
and integrates the functions of the entire cell.
- Three components: Nucleoplasms, Chromosomes, Nuclear
membrane
a. Nucleoplasm – a type of protoplasm that is the
gelatinous matrix or base material of the nucleus
b. Chromosomes – are embedded or suspended
in the nucleoplasm
c. Nuclear membrane – the “skin” around the
nucleus; it contains holes (nuclear pores) through which large
molecules can enter the nucleus.
C. Nucleolus - where rRNA molecules are manufactured. The rRNA
molecules then become part of the structure of ribosomes.
D. Cytoplasm - It is where most of the cell’s metabolic reactions occur.
- where we can find insoluble storage granules and
cytoplasmic organelles (ER, ribosomes, golgi complex,
mitochondria, centrioles, etc.)
E. Endoplasmic - is a highly convulated system of membranes that are
Reticulum interconnected and arranged to form a transport network of
tubules and flattened sacs within the cytoplasm.
F. Ribosomes - consist mainly of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and protein
- plays an important role in the synthesis (manufacture) of
essential proteins.
- Two subunits: 60S subunit & 40S subunit. – produced in
the nucleus
-The subunits are then transported to the cytoplasm where
they remain separate until such time as they join together
with a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to initiate protein
synthesis. When united, the 60S and 40S form an 80S
ribosome.
G. Golgi Complex - connects or communicate with ER
- it completes the transformation of newly synthesized
CHONs into mature functional ones and packages them into
vesicles for storage within the cell or export outside the cell.
- referred to as “packaging plants”.
H. Lysosomes - small vesicle that originate at the GC. They contain
lysozyme that breakdown foreign material taken into the
cell by phagocytosis.
- Lysozyme also aid in breaking down worn out parts of the
cell and may destroy the entire cell by autolysis.
I. Peroxisomes - it is where hydrogen peroxide is both generated and broken
down.
- it contains the enzyme catalase which catalyzes the
breakdown of H2O2 into H2O and O2.
J. Mitochondria - “power plants” ; “power houses” or “energy
factories”
- it is where most of the ATP molecules are formed by cellular
respiration.
- ATP- Adenosine Triphosphate (energy necessary for cellular
function)
K. Plastids - energy- producing organelle in plant cells.
- sites of photosynthesis- conversion of light energy into
chemical energy.
L. Cytoskeleton - Three types of cytoskeletal fibers: microtubules,
microfilaments, intermediate filaments.
- serve to strengthen, support, and stiffen the cell and give
the cell its shape.
- Microtubules and microfilaments are essential for cell
division, contraction, motility, and the movement of
chromosomes within the cell.
- Microtubules are composed of spherical protein subunits
called tubulins.
M. Cell Wall - external structure that provides rigidity, shape, and
protection.
- simpler in structure in eukaryotic cells and may contain
cellulose, pectin, lignin, chitin, and some mineral salts.
- cell walls of algae and plants – contain a polysaccharide,
cellulose.
- cell walls of fungi – contain a polysaccharide, chitin.
N. Flagella & Cilia a. Flagella – responsible for motility
b. Cilia – are also organelles of locomotion
c. Eukaryotic flagella and cilia are structurally more complex
than bacterial flagella.
C. PROCARYOTES
- from a Greek word meaning “prenucleus”
- are about 10 times smaller than Eukaryotes
- possess no membranes other than the cell membrane that encloses the
cytoplasm.
- reproduces via Binary Fission.
BINARY FISSION
- the parent cell (one cell) in half to become two daughter cells. DNA
replication (duplication of chromosomes) must occur prior to the actual
splitting of the parent cell so that each daughter cell will possess the same
genetic information as the parent cell.
Flagellar Arrangement
1. Monotrichous – one flagellum
2. Amphitrichous – one or more flagella at each end
3. Lophotrichous – a tuft of flagella at one end
4. Peritrichous – flagella all over the surface
Bacillus
thuringiensis with
terminal endospore.
D. Comparison Between Eucaryotic and Procaryotic Cells
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
Flagella or When present, When present, When present, flagella have a simple
cilia have a have a twisted protein structure; prokaryotic
complex complex cells do not have cilia
structure structure
One cell (parent cell) splits into half to become two daughter cells.
Before a prokaryotic cell can divide into half, its chromosomes must be
duplicated.
Generation time- varies from one bacterial species to another (ex. E. coli,
20 mins.)
Mitosis the type of division that gives rise to daughter cells for the purpose
of tissue growth, regeneration or asexual (vegetative) reproduction.
G. Taxonomy
H. Microbial Classification
o Carolus Linnaeus- established the binomial nomenclature
I. Taxonomic Hierarchies
BACTERIA DISEASE
Algae and Protozoa are in the Kingdom Protista (organisms in this kingdom
are reffered to as protists)
Modern Classification
In 1978, Carl R. Woese proposed elevating the three cell types to a level
above kingdom, called DOMAIN
ARCHAEBACTERIA
EUBACTERIA
EUKARYA
The Three-Domain Classification Scheme
Reference: Burton, G. (2007). Burton's Microbiology for the Health Sciences (8th
ed.). Baltimore: Lippincot Williams & Wilkins.