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General Biology I
Cell Structure and Function
The Nucleus

• Organelle that houses genomic DNA.

• The nuclear envelope is a double membrane dotted with nuclear pores.

Nuclear pores keep nuclear material in, while allowing water, ions, and small
molecules to pass.

Chromatin

• The interior of the nucleus is filled with chromatin, DNA associated with proteins,
which form chromosomes for cell division.

Chromosomes are long strands of DNA and its associated proteins that become
“condensed” (thicker and shorter) for cell division.

Nucleolus

• “Little Nuclei”

• Site of ribosome synthesis.

• Consists of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), proteins, ribosomes in stages of synthesis, and


DNA. – DNA contains the genes for rRNA.

Ribosomes

• Two subunit complex of RNA and proteins.

• Synthesize proteins from messenger RNA (mRNA)

. • Located freely throughout the cytoplasm or associated with the nuclear envelope
and endoplasmic reticulum.

The Cytoplasm Contains a System of Membranes

• A set of membrane bound organelles that connect the nucleus with the outside.

• Three major components:

– The endoplasmic reticulum •Contacts the nucleus directly.

– Vesicles

•Membrane bound sacs that act as shuttles between to an from the organelles.

– The golgi apparatus

•Final modifications to the exported product.

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The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

• “Network within the cytoplasm”

• Interconnected membrane-enclosed tubes and channels through the cytoplasm.


•Composed of two parts:

•Smooth ER

•Without ribosomes.

•Rough ER

•With ribosomes.

•Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:

•Without ribosomes.

•Manufacture of lipids.

•Detoxification in the liver.

•Creates vesicles through budding.

•Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:

•With ribosomes. •Site of protein synthesis.

•Manufacture of membrane proteins, digestive enzymes and protein hormones


•Synthesis of new ER membrane.

•Aide in tertiary structure folding.

The Golgi Apparatus

• Set of membranes derived from the ER.

• Modify, sort, and package proteins:

– Modifies some molecules

•Example: adding carbohydrates make glycoproteins.

– Synthesizes polysaccharides

•Example: Cellulose and pectin.

– Sorts proteins and lipids from the ER to their destination.

– Packages molecules into vesicles for transport.

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Lysosomes

• The cell’s digestive system.

• Enclosed vesicles housing digestive enzymes (to break apart “food” subunits)

• Merge with food vacuoles to digest “food” into amino acids, fatty acids, and
monosaccharides.

• Recycle by breaking down defective organelles and membrane sections.

Vacuoles

• Sacs of cellular membrane filled with fluid containing various molecules.

– Temporary vacuoles include food and recycling vacuoles visited by lysosomes.

– Permanent vacuoles help maintain cell integrity by regulating water.

•Contractile vacuoles of freshwater protists.

•Central vacuoles of plant cells.

Mitochondria

• “Powerhouse of the cell”

• Allow eukaryotic cells to use oxygen in the otherwise anaerobic digestion of food,
obtaining 16x more ATP.

•Found in higher numbers in very active cells.

•Example: Muscles

•Less abundant in less active cells.

•Example: Bone and cartilage.

Chloroplast

• Organelle where photosynthesis occurs.

• Found in all plant cells and some protists.

• Contain chlorophyll which directly captures energy from the sun.

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