Cell Structure and Organelles

Study Notes

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

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)

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

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)

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.