Biology Notes

Unit 1 Chapter 3: Cell Structure I. Looking at Cells a. Microscopes enable biologists to examine cells and organisms i. Robert Hooke invented microscope in 1600s ii. Examined cork and saw little boxes he called cells iii. Micrographproduced image iv. Magnificationability to an image larger than its actual size v. Resolutiona measure of the clarity of an image b. Scientists use the metric system for measurement i. Official name is SIabbreviation for International System of Measurements ii. Based on powers of 10 c. Types of Microscopes i. Light microscopes, low magnification, can be used to examine living cells 1. Compound light microscopeslight passes through two lenses to produce an enlarged image of the specimen 2. Max. 2000x magnification (0.5 m) ii. Electron microscopes, high magnification, cannot be used to examine living cells 1. Max. 200,000x 2. Requires vacuum chamber, living cells cannot survive in vacuum 3. Transmission electron microscope(TEM)image of specimen formed using electron beams fired at a specimen coated with metal ions 4. Scanning electron microscope(SEM)image of specimen formed using electron beams fired at a specimen coated with a thin layer of metal iii. Scanning Tunneling Microscope uses a computer to generate a 3-D image 1. Scanning tunneling microscopeneedle-like probe examines differences in voltage caused by electrons that leak, or tunnel, from the surface of the specimen 2. Can be used to study living organisms Cell Features a. The Cell Theory has three parts i. Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchows observations form the cell theory: 1. All living things are made of one or more cells 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in organisms 3. All cells arise from existing cells b. Small cells have higher surface area to volume ratio, thus more efficient than large cells i. 100 trillion cells in human body ii. Substances must reach the center quick enough to meet the cells needs c. All cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA, and ribosomes

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i. Cell membraneencloses cell and separates the interior from surroundings 1. Regulates the entry and exit of gases, nutrients, and wastes ii. Cytoplasmcell s internal composition 1. Cytoskeletonsuspended in a system of microscopic fibers inside the cytoplasm of animal cells iii. Ribosomescellular structure on which proteins are made iv. DNA provides instructions for protein production, reculates cellular activities, and enable cells to reproduce d. Prokaryotessingle-celled organism lacking a nucleus and internal components i. Smallest and simplest cell ii. Genetic material is one molecule of DNA iii. Modern prokaryotes informally referred to as bacteria (1-15 m) 1. Bacteriumsingle-celled, often parasitic, organism a. No internal structures/skeletal system b. No distinct nucleus c. DNA is suspended in cytoplasm d. Bacterial cell wallstrands of polysaccharides and amino acids e. Movement i. Flagellalong thread-like structures allowing propulsion ii. Reach speeds of 20 cell lengths per second e. Eukaryotic Cells have a nucleus and other organelles i. Organellesstructure that carries out specific activities within a cell 1. Nucleusinternal compartment that houses the cells DNA 2. Protein fibers of cytoskeleton include: a. Microtubuleslong, hollow tubes that support cells i. Aids movement of organelles b. Microfilamentsthin protein strands supporting cell shape and structure 3. Movement a. Flagella b. Ciliashort hair-like structures protruding from cell f. The lipid bilayer of a cell membrane is made of a double layer of phospholipid molecules i. Phospholipidlipid made of a phosphate group and two fatty acids 1. Phosphate head is polar, thus making up the surface of the bilayer 2. tails are nonpolar, thus repelled by the water and inside the bilayer ii. Selective permeability g. Proteins in cell membrane include: i. Enzymesassist chemical reactions ii. receptor proteinrecognizes and binds to substances outside of the cell iii. transport proteinshelps substances move across cell membrane iv. cell-surface markersidentifies cell type

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Cell Organelles a. The nucleus of the eukaryotic cell directs the cells activities and stores DNA i. Surrounded by nuclear envelope/membranetwo lipid bilayers separating nucleus from cytoplasm 1. Nuclear poressmall channels through the envelope a. Substances such as ribosomal proteins and RNA pass through ii. Hereditary information coded in DNA 1. Eukaryotic DNA is wound tightly around proteins b. In eukaryotic cells, an internal membrane system produces, packages, and distributes proteins i. Ribosomes make proteins on the rough ER 1. ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum)extensive system of internal membranes that moves proteins and other substances throughout the cell ii. Vesicles transport the newly made proteins to the Golgi apparatus 1. Vesiclessmall, membrane-bound sac thats transports proteins in cells 2. Golgi apparatusflattened, membrane-bound sacs that serve as the packaging and distribution center of the cell iii. In the Golgi apparatus, proteins are processed and packages into new vesicles iv. Many of such vesicles release their contents outside of the cell v. Other vesicles, including lysosomes, remain within the cytoplasm of the cell 1. Lysosomespherical organelles that contain the cells enzymes a. Digests and recycles the cells used components b. Breaks down proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates c. Mitochondria harvest energy from organic compounds to ATP i. Two membranes 1. Outer membrane is smooth 2. Inner membrane is greatly folded ii. Contains nucleic acids 1. Has own DNA and ribosomes iii. Primitive prokaryotes are ancestors of mitochondria d. Plants cells have three structures that animal cells lack: i. cell wallmixture of proteins and carbohydrates 1. helps support and maintain cell shape 2. protects cell from damage 3. connects cell with adjacent cells ii. chloroplastorganelles that perform photosynthesis 1. photosynthesisprocess in which light energy powers the production of carbohydrates from water and carbon dioxide a. carbohydrates are used for metabolism 2. found in a variety of eukaryotic algae, such as seaweed 3. similar to mitochondria: a. have DNA

b. two cell membranes c. though to be descendants of ancient prokaryotes iii. central vacuolelarge, membrane-bound space containing water 1. may also contain ions, nutrients, and wastes 2. when full, cytoplasm is pushed against the cell wall a. the cell becomes rigid b. enables a plant to stand upright