Cells

Cytosol

Cytoplasm refers to the jelly-like material with organelles in

it.
If the organelles were removed, the soluble part that would
be left is called the cytosol. It consists mainly of water with
dissolved substances such as amino acids in it.
Nucleus- The nucleus is the control center of the cell. It is the largest organelle in the
cell and it contains the DNA of the cell. The DNA of all cells is made up of
chromosomes.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains all the information for cells to live, perform
their functions and reproduce.
Inside the nucleus is another organelle called the nucleolus. The nucleolus is
responsible for making ribosomes.

The circles on the surface of the nucleus are the nuclear pores. These are where
ribosomes, and other materials move in and out of the cell.
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are membrane-enclosed organelles distributed through
the cytosol of most eukaryotic cells. Their main function is the
conversion of the potential energy of food molecules into ATP.
Every type of cell has a different amount of mitochondria.. There are

more mitochondria in cells that have to perform lots of work, for
example- your leg muscle cells, heart muscle cells etc. Other cells
need less energy to do their work and have less mitochondria.
Mitochondria have:
an outer membrane that encloses the entire structure
•an inner membrane that encloses a fluid-filled matrix
•between the two is the intermembrane space
•the inner membrane is elaborately folded with shelflike cristae projecting

into the matrix.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)- It is a network of membranes
throughout the cytoplasm of the cell. There are two types of ER.
When ribosomes are attached it is called rough ER and smooth ER
when there are no ribosomes attached.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is where most protein synthesis
occurs in the cell. The function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is
to synthesize lipids in the cell. The smooth ER is also helps in the
detoxification of harmful substances in the cell.
Golgi complex- It is organelle in the cell that is
responsible for sorting and correctly shipping the
proteins produced in the ER.
Just like our postal packages which should have a

correct shipping address, the proteins produced in
the ER, should be correctly sent to their respective
address.
In the cell, shipping and sorting done by the Golgi

complex. It is a very important step in protein
synthesis.

If the Golgi complex makes a mistake in shipping

the
proteins to the right address, certain functions in
the cell may stop.
Ribosomes- Organelles that help in the synthesis of proteins. Ribosomes
are made up of two parts, called subunits.
They get their names from their size. One unit is larger than than the
other so they are called large and small subunits.
Both these subunits are necessary for protein synthesis in the cell. When
the two units are docked together with a special information unit called
messenger RNA, they make proteins.
Some ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm, but most are attached to the
endoplasmic reticulum. While attached to the ER, ribosomes make
proteins that the cell needs and also ones to be exported from the cell for
work elsewhere in the body.
The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the
plasma membrane.Different kinds of cell membrane models
have been proposed, and one of the most useful is the
Fluid-mosaic model. In this model the membrane is seen as
a bilayer of phospholipids in which protein molecules are
embedded.
An illustration of the Fluid

mosaic model

Channels/pores- A channel in the cell's plasma membrane. This channel
is made up of certain proteins whose function is to control the movement

of food
proteins.
and water into the cell. These channels are made up of certain

Vesicles- This term literally means "small vessel". This organelle helps
store
and transport products produced by the cell.
The vesicles are the transport and delivery vehicles like our mail and
Federal Express trucks. Some vesicles deliver materials to parts of the
cell and others transport materials outside the cell in a process called
exocytosis
Lysosomes function as the cell's recycling compartment.
Lysosomes receive cellular and endocytosed proteins and lipids

that need digesting. The metabolites that result are transported
either by vesicles or directly across the membrane.
THE PLANT CELL AND
IT’S ORGANELLES

Chloroplast- The cell organelle in which photosynthesis takes place. In
this
organelle the light energy of the sun is converted into chemical
energy.
Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells not animal cells. The chemical
energy that is produced by chloroplasts is finally used to make
carbohydrates like starch, that get stored in the plant.
Chloroplasts contain tiny pigments called chlorophylls. Chlorophylls are
responsible for trapping the light energy from the sun.
One of the most important distinguishing features of plant cells
is the presence of a cell wall, a which serves a variety of functions.
The cell wall protects the cellular contents; gives rigidity to the
plant structure; provides a porous medium for the circulation and
distribution of water, minerals, and other small nutrient molecules;
and contains specialized molecules that regulate growth and protect
the plant from disease. A structure of great tensile strength, the cell
wall is formed from fibrils of cellulose molecules, embedded in a
water-saturated matrix of polysaccharides and structural

Cell wall & Plasmodesmata- In addition to cell membranes, plants have
cell walls. Cell walls provide protection and support for plants.
Unlike
cell membranes materials cannot get through cell walls. This
would be a problem for plant cells if not for special openings called
plasmodesmata.
These openings are used to communicate and transport materials
between plant cells because the cell membranes are able touch and
therefore exchange needed materials.
Vacuoles and vesicles are storage organelles in
cells. Vacuoles are larger than vesicles. Either
structure may store water, waste products, food,
and other cellular materials. In plant cells, the
vacuole may take up most of the cell's volume.
The membrane surrounding the plant cell vacuole is called the
tonoplast.
Differences between Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic cells
Bacterial cells also contain flagellum, plasmid and capsule.
Feature Prokaryote Eukaryote
Size Small about 0.5 Up to 40 micrometers

micrometers
Genetic Circular DNA (in DNA in form of linear

material cytoplasm) chromosomes ( in nucleus)
Many organelles:
Few present, none
Organelles •Double membranes e.g.: nucleus,
membrane bound mitochondria & chloroplasts
•Single membrane e.g.: GA, ER &
lysosomes
•Fungi: rigid, formed from

Rigid formed from polysaccharide, chitin.
Cell walls glycoproteins (mainly •Plant: rigid, formed from
murein) polysaccharides. E.g.: cellulose.
•Animals no cell wall
Ribosome’s 70s 80s

Cells

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Cytosol

Cytoplasm refers to the jelly-like material with organelles in

Every type of cell has a different amount of mitochondria.. There are

•between the two is the intermembrane space

•the inner membrane is elaborately folded with shelflike cristae projecting

Just like our postal packages which should have a

In the cell, shipping and sorting done by the Golgi

If the Golgi complex makes a mistake in shipping

An illustration of the Fluid

Lysosomes receive cellular and endocytosed proteins and lipids

Feature Prokaryote Eukaryote

Size Small about 0.5 Up to 40 micrometers

Genetic Circular DNA (in DNA in form of linear

•Fungi: rigid, formed from

Ribosome’s 70s 80s

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