Chapter 1: General Principles of Cellular Organization

Cell Biology (I) Chiun-Jye Yuan, Ph.D.

Department of Biological Science and Technology National Chiao Tung University

Cell Biology (I)

Course Content
Historical prologue Introduction to cells Universal principles of living cells Overview of eukaryotic cellular organization and function

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 2

The Unity of Biology at the Molecular Level

All living organisms share similar molecular mechanisms that control their life. The complex life processes can be simply explained by a limited number of general principles in terms of straightforward chemistry and physics.
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 3

All forms of life have a common ancentor

The biochemical mechanisms in the branches of the phylogenetic tree could have diverged radically from each other.

Different organisms utilize different strategies to extract energy from their environments.

Many common biochemical strategies are well conserved among living organisms

Essential for the survival Ex. genetic information storage, transfer of genetic information, metabolism, cellular organization.
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 4

The Cell Theory

The All

cell is the basic unit of living things

cells come from preexisting cells

Living

things exhibit hierarchical organization from cells to ecosystems in the biosphere

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 5

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Common characteristics:

Membrane separating interior (living) from exterior (non-living)

Protoplasm: A thick semifluid material enclosed by the membrane (fluid + non-fluid contents) Hereditary material in control center
Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into different internal organelles (membranous or bacteria-derived)
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 6

Difference

Basic Cellular Organization

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 7

Eukaryotic cell: Structure and Function

Structure
Cell wall Plasma membrane Cytoskeleton Flagella (cilia)

Description
Outer layer of cellulose or chitin, or absent Lipid bilayer in which proteins and cholesterol are embedded

Function
Protection, support

Exterior Structures

Regulation of what posses in and out of cell, cell-to-cell recognition and communication Network of protein filaments, Structural support, fibers, and tubules intracellular trafficking, and cell movement Cellular extension with 9+2 Motility or moving fluids over arrangement of pairs of surfaces microtubules

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 8

Eukaryotic cell: Inventory of Cellular Components

Structure
Nucleus

Description
Spherical structure bounded by a double membrane, site of chromosome (long threads of DNA and proteins complex) A double membrane enclosed, bacteria-like element with inner membrane highly folded A double membrane enclosed saclike element containing chlorophyll, found in plant and algae Network of internal membranes Stacks of flattened vesicles Membranous sacs containing digestive enzymes Small, complex assemblies of protein and RNA, often bound to ER

Function
Control center of the cell

Interior Structures and Organelles

Mitochondria Chloroplast Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Apparatus Lysosomes Ribosomes

Power plantof the cell Site of photosynthesis in plant cells and algae Formation of compartments and vesicles; modification and transport proteins; synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids Packaging of proteins for exporting Digestion of various molecules Site of protein synthesis
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 9

Universal Properties of Cells

Storage of genetic information DNA encodes the information of proteins Cellular components are formed by selfassembly Membranes grow from preexisting membrane Targeting and trafficking of cellular constituents Adaptation Feedback control

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 10

DNA contains codes for Proteins

Gene vs. Genome Why is mRNA needed for translating DNA code into proteins? (10%)

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 11

Functional macromolecules are formed by Self-assembly

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 12

Targeting of Cellular Constituents to Correct Sites

There are two types proteins delivery mechanisms

Co-translational and posttranslational delivery system

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 13

Movement of cellular constituents

Cellular Constituents move inside the cell via different processes - diffusion, carriers and motors

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 14

Cell Signaling and Adaptation

Environmental stimuli modify cellular behavior and biochemistry. Almost all cellular events are mediated by signal transduction.

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 15

Feedback Mechanisms Control Cellular Events

The composition and activity of constituents of living cells change frequently and constantly in response to external stimuli, nutrient availability, and internal conditions.

The balance of cellular constituents are well controlled by the molecular feedback loop.

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 16

Overview of Eukaryotic Cellular Organization and Functions

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 17

Why Compartmentalization ?
Interior of the cell compartmentalized for: Increase surface-to-volume ratio Regulate cellular events Optimize enzyme reactions Metabolic pathways Secretion of specific proteins Removal of waste products
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 18

Surface-to-Volume Ratio

Efficiency

of the movement of substances across the membrane determined by the surface-to-volume ratio of a cell
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 19

The plasma membrane

Membrane

is the selectively permeable boundary between cell interior and external environment. Plasma membrane is a double-layered structure containing phospholipids as major components.

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 20

The plasma membrane

Membrane is a semipermeable boundary that separates internal and external environments.

Plasma membrane is a doublelayered structure that contains 3 major components, phospholipids, cholesterol and proteins
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 21

Phospholipids

Phospholipids have both a hydrophilic head, which orients outward and interacts with water, and hydrophobic tail that interacts laterally with other phospholipids and forms a sheet-like structure.

Non-polar fatty acid tails show hydrophobic interactions and face interior of bilayer

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 22

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 23

Membranous organelles

Nucleus Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Apparatus Mitochondrion Peroxisome Lysosome Vacuoles

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 24

Nucleus

Nucleus is the organelle that stores and processes nucleic acids. Nuclear envelop has an inner and a outer membranes. Chromatin: a complex of DNA (deoxyribonuclic acid) and nuclear proteins. In a dividing cell, DNA starts to condense and forms a shortened, thickened structure called chromosome.

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 25

Ribosome and Protein Synthesis

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 26

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Endoplasmic (within the cytoplasm in Latin) reticulum (a little net). The functions of Rough ER. The functions of Smooth ER?

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 27

Golgi Apparatus

The Golgi apparatus was first found by the physician Camillo Golgi in the late 19th century. Golgi apparatus is composed of a set of flattened membrane stack structure. Golgi apparatus act as the packaging and shipping stations in cells.
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 28

Mitochondria

Mitochondria play a role in aerobic respiration oxidizes organic fuels for energy production
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 29

Lysosome

Lysosome is a membrane-bound organelle that accommodates different types of digestive enzymes, which are much active under the acidic condition (pH 4.5~5.2). Lysosome is a recycle machine of the cell

To degrade and recycle the aged, mutated, damaged cellular constituents and other exogenous components (e.g., pathogens)

The blackened areas within the lysosomes are digestive enzymes

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 30

Vacuoles
The

word vacuolemeans empty . Vacuoles are most often found in plant cells. It makes plant tissues very rigid and holds up the whole structure. In fresh water protists, the vacuoles may take up extra water that tends to flow into the organism. Periodically, these vacuoles expel their contents by fusing with the plasma membrane.
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 31

Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm

literally means living gel (plasm) of the cell . It is the viscous fluid containing water, proteins, small molecules, storage substances (fat droplets or glycogen), cytoskeleton, and all cell organelles except nucleus. (protoplasm=cytoplasm+nucleus) Cytoplasm is composed of about 75% water and 25% proteins.
Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 32

Cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton is a network of filaments or fibers in the cell. There are three different types of cytoskeleton:

Microtubulue (MT) Intermediate filament (IF) Actin filament (AF)

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 33

Functions of Cytoskeletons
Support

the structure of cells. Maintain the shape of cells. Determine the polarity of cells. Act as road tracks for intracellular transport. Control cell motility. Facilitates the progression of cell cycle

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 34

Cell Cycle
Cell cycle is a cycling process that regulates the division of a growing cell by an integrated molecular network consisting of protein kinase, specific kinase inhibitors, transcription factors, and highly specific proteases. The cell cycle is well monitored by a builtin quality control, called checkpoint.

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 35

Cell Biol Ch0 1 - 36