Eukaryotic Cell

Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
They are characterized by their larger size compared to prokaryotic cells and possess a well-
defined structure.
Examples:
• Animal Cells
• Plant Cells
• Fungal Cells
• Protists

PARTS and FUNCTIONS

1. Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane, also called the cell membrane, is the membrane found in all
cells that separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment. In bacterial
and plant cells, a cell wall is attached to the plasma membrane on its outside surface.
The cell membrane surrounds the cell and is a selective barrier between the interior and
the exterior. Its primary role lies in regulating the passage of substances, including
nutrients and waste materials.

2. Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a gel-like matrix containing water, salts, proteins, and other molecules.
It occupies the intracellular space between the cell membrane and the nucleus. This is
where other organelles also float inside the cell. It provides a medium for chemical
reactions and holds the organelles in place. It plays a crucial role in biochemical
reactions, energy production, and substance transport.

3. Mitochondria
This is the powerhouse of the cell. Present in eukaryotic animal and plant cells. Their
primary function is energy generation through cellular respiration (ATP production).
The double membrane of mitochondria allows for the organization of various stages of
the respiratory chain, making it crucial for cellular function and survival. It supplies the
necessary energy (ATP) to fuel the work and processes needed inside a cell.

4. Ribosome
This organelle is either found free floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the
endoplasmic reticulum. These organelles play a very important role in protein synthesis.
They synthesize proteins using the genetic information from messenger RNA (mRNA),
which is crucial for cellular structure, function, and regulation. Ribosomes are located
in the cytoplasm and the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

5. Endoplasmic Reticulum
A network of interconnected membranes that extends from the nuclear membrane to
the cell membrane. It plays a fundamental role in the transport, processing, and
distribution of proteins and lipids within the cell.
There are two main types of ER:

• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) - Is studded with ribosomes and is involved

in the synthesis and modification of proteins.
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) - Lacks ribosomes, specializes in lipid
synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and detoxification.

6. Golgi Apparatus
Key in the processing and packaging of proteins and lipids produced in the endoplasmic
reticulum.

7. Lysosomes
They contain digestive enzymes that break down molecules and unwanted cellular
materials like old organelles and cellular debris.

8. Peroxisomes
They contain enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and toxic compounds, thereby
protecting the cell from oxidative damage. Additionally, they play a role in the synthesis
and degradation of lipids and bile acids, regulating lipid metabolism and overall
homeostasis.

9. Cytoskeleton
Its specific functions encompass stability, intracellular transport, and contraction.
Furthermore, it regulates cellular shape and plays a role in division, migration, and
communication.

It is composed of:

• Microtubules
• Microfilaments
• Intermediate filaments

10. Centriole
Centrioles are organelles which are only active during cell division. They produce
spindle fibers which attach to chromosomes. The fibers pull a copy of each
chromosome to opposite sides of the cell so that when it splits, each new daughter cell
has all the DNA it needs.
11. Vacuoles
The organelle both in animals and plants but appears large in plant cells. It is the largest
organelle of plant cells. The vacuole can have many functions but can generally be for
storage for food or any variety of nutrients, waterions, and waste materials that a cell
might need to survive. They can also store waste products, so the rest of the cell is
protected from contamination.

12. Cell Wall

A rigid or flexible layer that surrounds some types of cells, providing structural support
and protection. It's located outside the cell membrane. Cell walls are only present in
plant cells(some in protists) and are absent with animal cells. It provides support for
plant. Provides structural support and protection. Composed mainly of cellulose in
plants.

13. Chloroplasts
This is a kind of plastid that contains the green pigment called chlorophyll. This kind
of organelle is found in plants and makes them appear green. Chloroplasts carry out
photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis,
they synthesize glucose and other organic compounds using carbon dioxide and water,
releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

14. Flagella and Cilia

Flagella are threadlike, protein appendages that enable cells to move. The bacterial
flagella & eukaryotic flagella is quite different. This is commonly found in eukaryotic
type of cell particularly on animal cells. Non-motile cilia known as primary cilia
receive signals from nearby cells and act as antennae for the cells. Flagella help in
locomotion in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Flagella also act as sensory organs to
detect temperature and pH changes.
 PLANT CELL

- Plant cells have several structures not found in other eukaryotes. In particular,
organelles called chloroplasts allow plants to capture the energy of the Sun in
energy-rich molecules.
- Cell walls allow plants to have rigid structures as varied as wood trunks and supple
leaves; and vacuoles allow plant cells to change size.
- Do not have plastids (e.g. Chloroplast)
- Do not have a Cell Wall
- Have a more variable, round, or irregular shape.
- Have small, scattered Vacuoles, but they are not as prominent or important as in
plant cells.
- Contain Centrioles, which are critical for organizing spindle fibers during mitosis
and meiosis.
- Store excess Glucose as Glycogen.

ANIMAL CELL

- Animal cells are typical of the eukaryotic cell, enclosed by a plasma membrane and
containing a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Unlike the eukaryotic cells
of plants and fungi, animal cells do not have a cell wall.
- Furthermore, these cells exhibit the presence of DNA inside the nucleus.
- Have plastids (e.g. Chloroplast)
- Have a Cell Wall.
- Typically maintains a fixed, rectangular shape.
- Have a single large Vacuole.
- Centrioles are generally absent in plant cells.
- Store excess Glucose as Starch.

SIMILARITIES

• Both have a Cell Membrane or Plasma Membrane.

• Both plant and animal cells are Eukaryotic, meaning they have a Nucleus.

• Both cells contain Mitochondria.

• Both have smooth and rough ER.

• Both have a Golgi Apparatus.

• Both have a Cytoskeleton.

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS

Cells are the smallest living units of an organism. All cells have three things in common no
matter what type of cell they are.

1. All cells have a cell membrane which separates the inside of the cells from its
environment
2. Cytoplasm, which is a jelly like fluid.
3. DNA which is the cells’ genetic material.

There are two broad categories of the cell.

1. Eukaryotic cells- they have organelles which includes the nucleus and other special
parts. Eukaryotic cells are more advanced, complex cells.
2. Prokaryotic cells – they don’t have a nucleus or membrane enclosed organelles.
They do have genetic material, but it’s not contained within a nucleus.

Organelles ?

- Little organ
- Organelles are the specialized parts of the cell that have unique jobs to perform

A. Nucleus- the control center of the cell. Contains DNA or genetic material. DNA dictates
what the cell is going to do. Chromatin is the tangled spread out form of DNA found
inside the nuclear membrane. When does cell is ready to divide, DNA condenses into
structures known as chromosomes. The nucleus also contains a nucleolus – which is a
structure of a ribosomes (main site for protein synthesis) are made. This stores all
the necessary information that a cell needs and directs all the functions inside the cell.
B. Ribosomes - after ribosomes leave the nucleus, they will have the important job of
synthesizing, or making proteins. Outside the nucleus, the ribosomes, and the rest of
the organelles float around in cytoplasm, which is a jelly like substance- or attach to the
endoplasmic reticulum.
C. Endoplasmic Reticulum – it is a membrane enclosed passageway for transporting
materials (proteins x by ribosomes). It is a network of small, tubular structures that
divides the cell surface into two parts: luminal and extraluminal. Proteins and other
materials emerge from the endoplasmic reticulum in small vesicles where are the Golgi
apparatus receives them.
2 Types:
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum contains ribosomes attached.
- Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum that lacks ribosomes and is
therefore smooth, (makes lipids)

D. Golgi Apparatus - It is made up of flat disc-shaped structures called cisternae. The

organelle functions for the sorting and packaging area of all proteins produced by the
cell. As proteins move through the Golgi body, they are customize into forms that the
cell can use. The Golgi body does this by folding the proteins into usable shapes or
adding mateials on to them (lipids, carbohydrates).
E. Vacuoles – are saclike structures that store different materials. In the plant cell, the
central vacuole stores water. It is the largest organelle of plant cells.
 F. Lysosome – is a membrane bound cell organelle that contains digestive enzymes.
They are the garbage collector, that take in damage or worn out cell parts. They break
down molecules and unwanted cellular materials (debris). They may be used to
destroy invading viruses and bacteria.
G. Mitochondria – it is the powerhouse of the cell. During the process called cellular
respiration, the mitochondria make ATP molecules – Which provides the energy for all
the cells activities. Cells that need more energy have more mitochondria.
H. Cytoskeleton – this gives the framework of the cell. It is made up of networks of
filaments (made of proteins) and tubules all throughout the cells. It is generally found
and all types and provides shape and support to the structure of the cell. Cells maintain
their shape through cytoskeleton.
I. Chloroplast – this is a kind of dusted that contains the . This kind of organelle is found
in plants and makes them appear green. It is important organelle for plants because it is
J. Cell wall – rigid external cell wall that gives the sturdy structure of plants. Plant cells
also have a cell wall outside their cell membranes shape, support, and protect does a
plant cell; animal cells never have a cell wall)
K. Cilia – microscopic hair like projections that can move in waves
L. Flagella – little tail that can help a cell move or proper itself. (human cell only have
flagellum is a sperm cell)

*Summary

- Eukaryotic cells are present in animal cells with a nucleus and membrane enclosed
organelles.
- All cells have cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material.
- Both plant and animal cells have mitochondria.
- Plant cells have plastids, animal cells don’t have
-

Differences -

- Plant cells have rigid cell wall around plasma membrane, composed of cellulose for
protection
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus enclosed within the nuclear membrane
and form large and complex organisms. Protozoa, fungi, plants, and
animals all have eukaryotic cells. They are classified under the kingdom
Eukaryota.

They can maintain different environments in a single cell that allows them
to carry out various metabolic reactions. This helps them grow many times
larger than the prokaryotic cells.

Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells

The features of eukaryotic cells are as follows:

1. Eukaryotic cells have the nucleus enclosed within the nuclear

membrane.

2. The cell has mitochondria.

3. Flagella and cilia are the locomotory organs in a eukaryotic cell.

4. A cell wall is the outermost layer of the eukaryotic cells.

5. The cells divide by a process called mitosis.

6. The eukaryotic cells contain a cytoskeletal structure.

7. The nucleus contains a single, linear DNA, which carries all the
genetic information.