IN THE NAME OF ALLAH

MOST BENEFICIAL, MOST

MERCIFUL
The Cell and its functions



Dr Sadia Amer
Learning Objectives
Organization of cell.
Physical structure of cell.
Organization of cell
A typical cell consists of:
1-Nucleus
2-Cytoplasm
The nucleus is separated from
cytoplasm by nuclear membrane.
The cytoplasm is separated from
surrounding fluid by cell membrane or
plasma membrane.
The different substances that make up
the cell are collectively called
Protoplasm.
Protoplasm has five basic substances:-
Water
Electrolytes
Proteins
Lipids
Carbohydrates
Water
Principal fluid medium.
Present in all cells except fat cells.
About 75-80 % is water.
Many chemicals are dissolved in
water.
Many are suspended as solid
particulate.
Electrolytes
Important ions are Na,K, Mg, PO
4
,
So
4
,HCO
3
, Cl, Ca.
Provide inorganic chemicals for
cellular reactions
Necessary for cellular control
mechanisms.


Proteins
Most abundant after water.
Constitute 10-20 % of cell mass.
Has two types:
1-Structural proteins
2-Functional proteins
Structural Proteins
Mainly in the form of long filaments
that are polymers of many individual
protein molecules.
They form microtubules which
provide the cytoskeletons of
organelles as cilia, nerve axons, the
mitotic spindles etc
Extracellularly, fibrillar proteins are
found in collagen and elastic fibers of
CT and in blood vessel walls,
tendons, ligaments etc

Functional Proteins
Usually composed of combination of
few molecules in tubular-globular
form.
These are mainly enzymes of cell.
Mobile in the cell fluid.
Some are adherent to membranous
structures inside the cell.

Lipids
Several Types of substances that are
grouped together because of their
common property of being soluble in
fat solvents are called lipids.
Constitute about 2% of total cell
mass.
Examples:-phospholipids ,cholestrol
and triglycerides(neutral fat)
Lipids are insoluble in water.
So used to form cell membrane and
intracellular membranes.
In fat cells , triglycerides constitute
about 95% of cell mass.
These are the bodys main store
house of energy giving nutrients.


Carbohydrates
Constitute about 1% of total cell
mass.
3% in muscle cell.
6% in liver cells.
Present in cell as part of glycoprotein
molecule.
Play major role in nutrition of cell.
Glucose is always present in ECF so
that it is readily available when cell is
in need.
Small amount of carbohydrate is
stored in cell in the form of glycogen.
Glycogen is an insoluble polymer of
glucose.
Physical structure of cell
The cell contains highly organized
physical structures called Intracellular
organelles.
Most organelles are covered by
membranes called membranous
organelles.
Includes ER, Golgi apparatus,
mitochondria, lysosomes, Peroxisomes
These membranes are composed of
lipids and proteins.
It provides barrier to movement of
water and water soluble substances.
Proteins provide channels as well as
act as enzymes.
Cell Membrane
Is thin, pliable, elastic structure .
About 7.5 to 10 nanometers thick.
Composed of lipids ,proteins. And
carbohydrates.
Proteins=55%
Phospholipids=25%
Cholestrol=13%
Other lipids=4%
Carbohydrates=3%
Structure (LIPID)
It is a lipid bilayer, thin double
layered, each layer only one
molecule thick.
Interspersed in this are large globular
protein molecules.
Lipid bilayer is composed of
phospholipids molecules.
Its one end is soluble in water i.e
hydrophilic.
Other end soluble in fats i.e
hydrophobic
The phosphate end is hydrophilic and
fatty acid portion is hydrophobic.
The lipid layer in the middle is
impermeable to water soluble
substances e.g ions, glucose, urea etc
Fat soluble substances like oxygen,
carbon dioxide, alcohol etc can
penetrates this portion.

Cholestrol molecules in membrane
are lipid in nature b/c their steroid
nucleus is highly fat soluble.
They determine degree of
permeability.
It also control fluidity of membrane.
Cell Membrane Proteins
Cell membrane protein
Two types of proteins are present:-
Integral Protein
Peripheral Protein
Integral proteins protrude all the
way through the membrane.
Peripheral proteins are present to
only one surface of the membrane.
Integral proteins provide structural
channels through which water
molecules and water soluble substances
esp ions can diffuse.
These channels have selective
properties.
Some integral proteins act as carrier
proteins for transport of substances.

Sometimes these even transport
substances in direction opposite to
their natural direction of
diffusion.This is active transport.
Some act as enzymes.
Some serve as receptor for water
soluble chemicals e.g peptide
hormone
Peripheral proteins are often
attached to integral proteins.
These act as enzymes or controllers
of transport of substances.
Membrane Carbohydrate
Occur in combination with proteins or
lipids in the form of glycoproteins or
glycolipids.
The glyco portion protrude to outside of
cell.
Proteoglycans are bound to small
porotein cores.
Entire outer surface is coated with
Glycocalyx
Functions of carbohydrates
Give cell a negative surface.
Attaches cells to one another.
Some act as receptor substances for
binding hormones.
Some have role in immune reactions
.



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