Cell Structure and Organelles

Cell Structure

• Plasma membrane: thin, semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes occur
• Cytosol: fluid component of cytoplasm where chemical reactions take place
• Organelles: specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions
  • Nucleus: contains genetic material (DNA)
  • Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
  • Endoplasmic reticulum: involved in protein synthesis and transport
  • Lysosomes: contains digestive enzymes that break down waste and foreign substances
  • Golgi apparatus: involved in protein modification and transport

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic cells: lack a true nucleus and are typically small and simple (e.g. bacteria)
• Eukaryotic cells: have a true nucleus and are typically larger and more complex (e.g. plants, animals)

Cell Functions

• Metabolism: chemical reactions that occur within the cell to maintain life
• Growth and development: cells grow and divide to form new tissues and organs
• Response to stimuli: cells respond to changes in their environment
• Reproduction: cells divide to produce new cells

Cell Division

• Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
• Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four non-identical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes (e.g. gamete formation)

Cell Signaling

• Signal transduction: process by which cells respond to signals from their environment
• Receptor proteins: proteins on the cell surface that bind to signaling molecules
• Signaling pathways: series of chemical reactions that occur within the cell in response to a signal

Cell Structure

• Plasma membrane is a thin, semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cell.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes occur.
• Cytosol is the fluid component of cytoplasm where chemical reactions take place.

Organelles

• Nucleus contains genetic material (DNA).
• Mitochondria generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
• Endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein synthesis and transport.
• Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down waste and foreign substances.
• Golgi apparatus is involved in protein modification and transport.

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and are typically small and simple (e.g. bacteria).
• Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and are typically larger and more complex (e.g. plants, animals).

Cell Functions

• Metabolism involves chemical reactions that occur within the cell to maintain life.
• Cells grow and divide to form new tissues and organs during growth and development.
• Cells respond to changes in their environment through response to stimuli.
• Cells divide to produce new cells during reproduction.

Cell Division

• Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.
• Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four non-identical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes (e.g. gamete formation).

Cell Signaling

• Signal transduction is the process by which cells respond to signals from their environment.
• Receptor proteins are proteins on the cell surface that bind to signaling molecules.
• Signaling pathways are series of chemical reactions that occur within the cell in response to a signal.