THE CELL

Definition:
Cell is defined as the basic structural and functional unit of life
In other words, cells are the building blocks of any living organism whether plants or
animals
TYPES OF CELL
There are two types of cells
1. Prokaryotic Cell 2. ukaryotic Cell
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC
CELL
PROKARYOTIC CELL
EUKARYOTIC CELL
The genetic material of such organisms The genetic material of such
organisms is
is scattered in the cytoplasm i.e. not is enclosed within the nucleus
surrounded
nclosed within the nucleus. !y a nuclear membrane.

THE CELLULAR CONTENTS AND THEIR
BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS
"ifferent contents are present within the cell all of them having their own biochemical
importance and functions
THE VARIOUS CELLULAR CONTENTS
ARE
1. #ucleus and it s contents
2. $ibosome%s
&. ndoplasmic $eticulum
'. (olgi comple)
*. ndosomes
+. ,ysosomes
-. Pero)isomes
.. /itochondria
0. Cytoplasm
11. Cell membrane
11. 2acuoles
12. Centrioles
Nuceu! "n# it ! content!
Si$e "n# !%"&e
It is the largest organelle of the cell and is spherical or ellipsoid in shape
STRUCTURES INSIDE THE NUCLEUS
1. #uclear nvelop 2. #ucleolai
&. Chromatin material '. #ucleoplasm
NUCLERR ENVELPOP
It is made up of two lipid bi3 layer membranes that surround the nucleus. It is
strengthened by the presence of intermediate fillaments. These fillaments stabili4e the
envelop and also provide attachment to the chromosomes
NUCLEAR PORES
These pores are formed where at some points both lipid bi 5 layer membranes fuse
togethe'
COMPOSITION
They are composed by the assembly of about *1 proteins called the #6C,7P7$I#8
FUNCTION
The pores allow the transport of substances, ions and proteins. $#9 also moves in by
these pores. 8ome other substances like the "#9 polymerase can also pass through
them but as they are larger in si4e so they re:uire
1. The e)penditure of energy
2. 8pecial signalling system ;a particular se:uence of amino acids<
CHROMATIN MATERIAL
The term indicates the substance of chromosomes. It is basophillic
Contains nuclear acids such as "#9 and $#9.
CHROMOSOMES
They are the cellular organelles that are present in a highly condensed form
COMPOSITION
9re made up of "#9 and proteins
TYPES OF CHROMATIN MATERIAL
() Euc%'o*"tin +) Hete'oc%'o*"tin
DIFFERENCE
EUCHROMATIN
HETEROCHROMATIN
It is lightly stained. It is darkly stained.
It is completely uncoiled. It is present in highly condensed
form.
It is the active form of the chromatin it is inactive form of the chromatin
material. /aterial.
CHROMOSOMES AND HISTONE PROTEINS
=istones organi4e the "#9 molecule into nucleosomes
NUCLEOSOMES
It is the primary organi4ation of the "#9 molecule. It consists of a "#9 strand wound
around a =istone core
NUCLEOLUS
Si$e "n# S%"&e
It is a round refracted body whose si4e varies according to it s activity.
COMPOSITION
/ade up of substances called the #6C,7,I#.
STRUCTURE
In it s centre it shows a small spot that is called the #6C,7,7,68
FUNCTION
It is involved in protein synthesis due to the assembly of ribosomes
RIBOSOMES
9 macromolecule in the cell having granular appearance
FUNCTION
It is involved in protein synthesis by the process of translation
SUBUNITS OF RIBOSOME
It has two subunits made up of ' r$#9 chains and -& proteins
( ) L"',e !u-unit + ) S*" !u-unit

LAR.E SUBUNIT SMALL
SUBUNIT
It sediments at +1 8. It 8ediments at '1 8.
It consists of '1 proteins. It is made of && proteins.
Provides site for m$#9 attachment In Translation. It releases newly formed proteins.
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
STRUCTURE
It makes up a system of interconnected membrane bounded channels scattering
through the cytoplasm. The channels may be saca, tubules or vasicals
TYPES OF ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM
( ) SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM + ) ROU.H ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM
RER SER
$ibosomes are present $ibosomes are absent
8hows staining properties "o not show staining properties
FUNCTION FUNCTION
=elps in protein glycosylation synthesi4e some hormones. ,ipids,
cholesterol
9ct as protein factory steroids and carbohydrates as well
as proteins
Cntains special proteins >> Chaprons that are that make up the cell membrane
essential for the assembly of other proteins 8arcoplasmic $eticulum of smooth
muscles
also represents 8$ which
stores Ca ions
Plays speciali4ed roles in lipid
metabolism
1. 8ynthesi4es Phospholipids
and 8terol
2. "esideration and elongation of
fatty acids
&. 7mega o)idation of fatty acids
8$ and $$ work independent of each other
.OL.I COMPLE/
STRUCTURE
9 cup like structure in the cell. 9 number of flattened membranous sacs arranged in a
stacked form along with associated vasicles form the (olgi comple)
LOCATION
8ituated near the nucleus and is suspended till the $$
STRUCTURES IN THE .OL.I COMPLE/
1) Cis > (olgi membranous network
2. Cisternae
&. Trans face
'. Trans> (olgi membranous network
FUNCTIONS
1 . 8ite of production of Primary ,ysosomes
2 . Transport and screening of newly formed proteins
& . ?orms acroblast of spermatids
' . Involved in carbohydrate side chain reactions
ENDOSOMES
The term indicates a vesicle that has lost it s coat of clathrin > a protein
TYPES OF ENDOSOMES
It e)ists in the following forms
() arly ndosomes + .
$ecycling ndosomes 0) /ultivascular bodies
1 ) ,ate ndosomes
FUNCTION
The ,ate ndosomes convert Primary lysosomes to 8econdary lysosomes l
LYSOSOMES
These are the heterogeneous substances organelles present inside the cytosoul
SHAPE AND SI2E
8pherical or ellipsoid bodies that are 1.1. to 1.. micro meters in si4e
LOCATION
9re present in phagocytes ;both microphages and macrophages< and the cells having
greater metabolic activity@
They contain a lot of en4ymes such as the 9cid hydrolases.
9re heavily (lycosylated and are maintained at a low p= by the protein pumps in the
,ysosomal membrane
FUNCTION
1. 9re involved in digestive activities by two processes
9<. 96T7P=9(A
!<. =T$7P=9(A
AUTOPHA.Y
HETROPHA.Y
It involves the =ydrolytic digestion of unwanted It involves the =ydrolytic
digestion or damaged cellular contents of
the e)ogenous materials taken
6p by the cell
2 . Plays role in protein degradation
& . Causes apoptosis of rudiment cells during embryonic life
PERO/ISOMES
LOCATION
9re present in vertebrate cells specially in liver and kidneys and are surrounded by a
single membrane
COMPOSITION
9re composed of Pero)ins which are proteins in nature. Pero)isomes are very rich in
en4ymes , about *1 have been s so far discovered
FUNCTIONS
() 8ynthesi4e glycolipids, plasmalogens. Cholesterol +) 8hoterns cholesterol to form
bile acids
0 ) Catalyses uric acid to allanoin 1 ) /etaboli4es fats and lipids
MITOCHONDRIA
STRUCTURE
It is a double membrane bounded organelle.7uter one is smooth and inner has many
folding > cristae that divide it into various compartments Present only in ukaryotic cell
FUNCTIONS
9s it is involved in many chemical reactions taking place inside the cell so it is known as
the P7B$ =768 of the cell.
It is the site of aerobic respiration.
It contains many o)idative en4ymes.
It uses 9TP for energy production by the o)idative Phosphorylation.
COMPOSITION
It has it s own "#9 and ribosomes
CYTOPLASM
9 gel like material in the cell containing all the cellular organelles embedded into it
COMPOSITION
It is made up of the Cytoskeleton that contains
() /icro fillaments +) Intermediate fillaments
0)/icrotubules
FUNCTIONS OF THE CYTOSKELETON
1 . Provide internal reinforcement in the cytoplasm
2 . 9nchor microvilli and cilia in the cytoplasm =olds organelles in place >>> non static
function
& . Contributes in e)tracellular adhesion
' . =olds organelles in place >>> non static function
* . Provides motility within the cell
CENTRIOLES
#ine triplets of microtubules combine to form centrioles. Together they are known as
centrosomes.
FUNCTION OF CENTRIOLES
=elp in the formation of spindle fibers during cell division
CELL MEMBRANE
It is a thin and elastic covering lining the cytoplasm. Present in all prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells
STRUCTURE
It can be verified on the basis of ?luid mosaic model according to which the lipiid bi>
layer has proteins embedded in it
COMPOSITION
It is composed of lipid bi >> layer, proteins, cholesterol, glycoproteins and some
:uantities of carbohydrates as well
FUNCTIONS
1 . 9llows transport of substances in and outside the cell.
2 . It is selectively permeable
& . Involves the processes of Phagocytosi and Pinocytosis
' . Can also analy4e the chemical message and identify other cells
* . The membrane acts as a barrier for selective substances to pass across
Fo' t%i! &u'&o!e it in3o3e! *"n4 &'oce!!e! !uc% "!
1 ) "iffusion
2 . 9ctive transport
& . Passive transport
' . ?acilitated diffusion
* . 7smosis

VACUOLES
These are fluid filled single membrane bounded organelles
NUMBER
9nimal cells have many small vacuoles in their cytoplasm
FUNCTION
=ave stored food and water in them