A Tour of the Cell

A. All living organisms consist of cells

1. Eukaryotes: Plants, animals, fungi, protozoa, algae
   • How large are cells?
   • Why are cells so small?
2. Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea
   • How big are bacteria?
   • Why are prokaryotes smaller than eukaryotes? 

B. The Eukaryotic cell

Structure is related to function!

1. The plasma membrane
   • Phospholipid bilayer + proteins
   • Selective permeability!
2. Cytoplasm
   • Water + solutes
   • Chemical reactions!
3. Nucleus
   • Chromosomes (DNA + proteins)
   • Control center!
4. Mitochondria
   • Double membrane
   • Electron transport chain
   • Endosymbiotic origin
   • Powerhouse of the cell!
5. Chloroplasts
   • Double membrane
   • Chlorophyll
   • Endosymbiosis
   • Photosynthesis!
6. Endoplasmic reticulum
   • Membranous sacs
     • Smooth ER
     • Rough ER
   • Manufacturing facility!
7. Ribosomes
   • Protein + RNA
   • Protein synthesis!
8. Golgi apparatus
   • Stacks of membrane sacs
   • Sorting & packaging center!
9. Vacuoles
   • Membrane-enclosed 'bubble'
   • Storage, transport!
10. Lysosomes
    • Specialized vacuole with powerful enzymes
    • Digestion!
11. Cytoskeleton
    • Microtubules
    • Microfilaments (actin)
    • Intermediate filaments
    • Support/shape & internal transport!
12. Cell wall
    • Plants & algae: cellulose
    • Fungi: chitin or cellulose
    • Cell shape & support!
13. Cilia & Flagella
    • "9+2" Microtubules + membrane
    • Movement!
14. Intercellular junctions

C. The Prokaryotic cell

1. Plasma membrane       
2. Cytoplasm
3. Ribosomes  
4. Nuclear region
5. Plasmids
6. Endospores
   • Survival!
7. Cell Wall
   • Peptidoglycan or protein
8. Flagella
   • Protein (flagellin)
9. Capsules
   • Carbohydrates or glycoproteins
   • Adhesion & protection!