Name: - Ahmed Abba Abubakar Candidate Number: - BU/14A/SCI/1047 Date of Submission: - 24/02/2014 Course Title: - Biology Course Code:

- BIO101 Tutor: - Tolulope Famakinwa

Assignment 2
Review and if necessary, criticize the paediatrics journal by Charles U. Lowe on The Relation between cell structure and cell function Review: The aim of this journal and its author C.U. Lowe is to help in better understanding of how a cells structure determines its function. He begins by stating that the cell is not viewed like it was in the old days. He states how our view of the cell has evolved. At the start, we are told about the two unique components of the nucleus, that being the chromosomes and the nucleolus. He lectures on about the structure of the chromosomes. The chromosomes are strands of Desoxyribopolynucleotide (DNA) and histone-like proteins which become prominent during mitosis. Also, they are made up of several molecules. Locus on the chromosomes, carry specific genetic potential named cystron. Structurally related units of cystrons form the chromomere. While not clearly visualised, they represent single molecules. He goes on further by saying that in all resting nuclei in an organism, chromosome number and DNA number are equal except in the germ cells. The side portion of each chromosome is linked with Ribose Polynucleotide (RNA or PNA). This area is a place for fast production of this substance as well as the nucleolus. The report indicates that RNA located in the cytoplasm originates from the nucleus. This is a favourable concept because only the nucleus (more specifically the genetic material in the nucleus) can indicate what type of RNA to be made. RNA is the only polynucleotide that has been found to exist in the cytoplasm. RNA is found in four major loci, but mainly found in abundance in the microsomes. These microsomes in collection with the canals that they are organised across form the endoplasmic reticulum. These canals surround the endoplasmic reticulum. The canals are found along the cell membrane and nuclear membrane and have the ability to open, close and reorganise to capture things like carbohydrates and lipids. He goes back to the microsomes and states that they have a unique role in creation of proteins. The mitochondrion produces high energy phosphate bonds from the oxidation of food, this is called oxidative phosphorylation. He starts going into detail about the mitochondrion. Its a tube filled with cristae. The wall of the mitochondrion is made up of an array of enzymes. These include the cytochromes and those of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle. The position of the endoplasmic reticulum around the mitochondrion is advantageous as the mitochondrion can supply energy to the endoplasmic reticulum for synthesizing proteins.
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He deviates and starts looking at the properties of RNA in a faintly pink fluid with no particles. The fluid is termed sap and is gotten from ultracentrifugation. The RNA here is soluble and has lower molecular weight. This RNA helps in synthesizing proteins with the help of amino acid activating enzymes and the microsomes. Each amino acid is speculated to have its own enzyme. These enzymes fuse with amino acids in the presence of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) to produce activated amino acids. Next, He talks about the similar behaviour of the nuclear and cell membrane. They function as walls but let certain items pass through by osmosis. He assumes that this process will be carried out by enzymes along the membranes. He continues on to say that most proteins in the body are enzymatically active proteins and these are the ones involved in things like growth because, the body doesnt store protein that is unassigned a function. He states that the genetic material is a template for RNA synthesis. This RNA then becomes the site where amino acids can be deposited to form proteins. This deposition of amino acids is a function of the microsomes in conjunction with the soluble RNA from the cell sap and the amino acid activating enzymes. Usually inactivated amino acids are connected to an adenine molecule of the soluble RNA. In situations of starvation, RNA is gone from cells that make protein. When the need for protein rises, so does the amount of RNA present. He concludes by saying the most intriguing thing about cellular metabolism is how the complex process is carried out. He describes it as cell control and that slow progress is made in understanding it. CONCLUSION AND OPINION: The write up summarizes the most important points that have been illustrated by the journal and with the examples in the journal included. From the points above, C.U.Lowe has made a variety of good points from stating how the endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondrion work hand in hand and how they interlock, to how the RNA and amino acids help in the synthesis of protein. I will decide to support his findings and agree that function and structure are related.

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