Cell Structure and Functions

Cell Structure

• Plasma Membrane: a semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment, regulating the movement of materials in and out of the cell.
• Cytoplasm: a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur.
• Nucleus: the control center of the cell where DNA is stored.
• Mitochondria: the site of cellular respiration, responsible for generating energy for the cell.
• Ribosomes: small organelles responsible for protein synthesis.
• Lysosomes: membrane-bound sacs that contain digestive enzymes, responsible for breaking down and recycling cellular waste.
• Golgi Apparatus: a complex of flattened sacs and tubes that process and modify proteins and lipids.
• Cytoskeleton: a network of filaments that provides structural support, shape, and movement to the cell.

Cellular Processes

• Cell Division: the process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells, including mitosis (division of nucleus) and cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm).
• Photosynthesis: the process by which cells convert light energy into chemical energy, occurring in chloroplasts of plant cells.
• Cell Signaling: the process by which cells communicate with each other through signaling molecules, allowing for coordination and regulation of cellular activities.
• Cellular Transport: the movement of molecules across the cell membrane, including passive transport (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (carrier proteins, pumps).

Cellular Organization

• Eukaryotic Cells: cells with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic Cells: cells without a true nucleus, characteristic of bacteria and archaea.
• Tissue: a group of similar cells that perform a specific function, such as muscle tissue or epithelial tissue.
• Organ: a structure composed of two or more types of tissues that perform a specific function, such as the heart or lungs.
• Organ System: a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function, such as the circulatory system or nervous system.

Cell Structure

• The plasma membrane is semi-permeable, controlling the movement of materials in and out of the cell.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur.
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell, storing DNA.
• Mitochondria generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
• Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes, breaking down and recycling cellular waste.
• The Golgi Apparatus processes and modifies proteins and lipids.
• The cytoskeleton provides structural support, shape, and movement to the cell.

Cellular Processes

• Cell division involves mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division).
• Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells, converting light energy into chemical energy.
• Cell signaling allows cells to communicate with each other through signaling molecules.
• Cellular transport includes passive transport (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (carrier proteins, pumps).

Cellular Organization

• Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus, characteristic of bacteria and archaea.
• Tissue is a group of similar cells that perform a specific function.
• Organs are composed of two or more types of tissues that perform a specific function.
• Organ systems are groups of organs that work together to perform a specific function.