Lecture 2: Cells

Reading: R-Campbell Chapter 7 or chapter on cell structure from any introductory

biology textbook

Outline:

1. Plasma Membrane
2. Nucleus
3. Cytoplasm
4. Mitochondria
5. Cytoskeleton
6. Extracellular matrix/cell junctions

Lecture:

To understand what goes wrong in a cancer cell, we need to know more about the
structure and function of normal cells. In today's class we will review some basic cell
biology and point out some of changes that occur in cancer cells.

[Insert schematic diagram of a cell]

1. Plasma membrane
• forms boundary of cell
• critical for receiving signals from outside cell and deciding what enters cell
• phospholipid bilayer
• contains embedded proteins, such as receptors

Normal cell Cancer cell

Let nutrients and oxygen in, wastes out Same as normal cell
Receive/send signals to other cells Incorrectly process signals/send wrong
signals

Signals are sent and received by a cell usually via receptor proteins in the plasma
membrane.

[diagram of receptor]

2. Nucleus

[diagram of cell illustrating structures in the nucleus]

nucleus=membrane bound organelle that contains the genetic material. Changes in

appearance when cell divides.

1
Normal cell
Nucleus contains genes
Nucleus directs cell to make proteins
DNA
RNA
protein
Nucleus receives chemical signals from
cytoplasm that alter gene expression
Cancer cell
Some of the genes are "mutated"
Mutated genes in the nucleus direct
synthesis of altered proteins
Cancer cell nucleus receives the wrong
signals; tell cell to divide or to turn on
inappropriate genes

Genes=segments of DNA that contain information to make RNA or proteins

Mutation=change in the base sequence of DNA

ACG TGC normal gene

ACG TGA mutated gene

Change DNA sequence
change code for protein

3. Cytoplasm

Consists of fluid (cytosol), proteins, ribosomes (sites of protein synthesis), and membrane
bound organelles

Organelles include
• Mitochondria: Energy metabolism
• Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi body: Protein processing
• Lysosomes: Degration of organelles and proteins

4. Mitochondria

mitochondria=organelles involved in energy metabolism and cell death

Normal cell Cancer cell

Efficiently make ATP, the energy storing Hog ATP and starve out normal cells
molecule
Old cells receive a signal to die so they are Old cells not told to die; get too many
replaced by new cells cells
cancer

5. Cytoskeleton

cytoskeleton=Network of fibers throughout the cytoplasm

• Made of filamentous proteins: tubulin, actin, keratin
• Provide structural support
• Determine cell shape
• Involved in cell movement
• Anchor cell-cell connections

2
 • Move organelles around
• Move chromosomes during cell division

Normal cell Cancer cell

Predetermined cell shape Become metastatic, able to change shape
and migrate from original site
Divide in response to normal signals Cell division not regulated

6. Extracellular matrix/cell junctions

ECM=material outside cell that holds cell in place yet allows for movement of nutrients,
oxygen, and signaling molecules.
• Includes a lot of "sticky proteins" (collagen, proteoglycan, fibronectin).

[diagram of cells adhering to basement membrane via ECM]

Normal cell Cancer cell

Cells stay put Cells migrate away
Cells anchored to ECM Secrete enzymes that break down ECM

Intercellular junctions
• Hold cells together
• Some allow communication between cells
• Some prevent fluid from seeping into tissues
• Most common in epithelia

[diagram showing examples of cell junctions]

Normal cell Cancer cell

Cells attached to each other Cells lose their attachments
Cell communication good Cell communication reduced