Chapter 4 – The Cell
The Basic Unit of Life. This is the first time we have seen Life in this class.
Components of the Cell :
1. Plasma Membrane :
A. Phospholipid Bilayer.
B. Semi – Permeable.
C. Distinguishes the Inside from the Outside of the Cell.
D. Establishes “Self” and anything outside the Cell as “Non – Self”.
E. Contains “Self” Identity markers (i.e. specifically shaped
chemicals) which distinguishes “Suzie’s Cells” as different
from all other Cells, or, Type A Positive Blood as different than
Type O Negative Blood.
2. Cytoplasm or Cytosol :
A. A gel – like soup.
B. Contains
1) Carbohydrates (Sugars)
2) Lipids (Fats)
3) Proteins
4) Vitamins
5) Minerals (Electrolytes)
6) Water
C. Organelles – Small Organs :
1) The Nucleus:
a) Usually the largest and most prominent of all the
organelles.
b) Usually the Command and Control Center of the Cell.
c) Contains Structures called Chromosomes.
d) 46 Chromosomes per Nucleus of a Somatic Body Cell.
e) 46 = Diploid = 2n (where n = 23 for Humans).
, f) 23 Chromosomes per Nucleus of a Gamete – a Sex Cell.
g) 23 = Haploid = 1n (where n = 23 for Humans).
h) Gamete = Male Sperm Cell and Female
Ovum/Oocyte/Egg.
i) The Chromosomes are primarily made of DNA (Deoxy –
Ribo – Nucleic Acid).
j) DNA is an organic molecule that controls the actions of
the Cell. DNA is a Double Helix molecule (i.e. Two
Strands) comprised of four building blocks called
Nucleotides. The four Nucleotides are Adenine (A),
Thymine (T), Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G). A on one
strand always pairs (i.e. is Complimentary to) with a T
on the other strand, and a G on one strand is always
Complimentary to C on the other strand. This will be
important when we discuss Cell Division (Mitosis).
2. The Ribosome :
A. The Site of Protein Synthesis; i.e. the Organelle(s) that
makes the Proteins that the Cell and the Body
needs.
B. Free Ribosomes in the Cytoplasm – often make
Proteins that remain in the Cell that made them.
C. Ribosomes attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum
(i.e. “Rough E.R.”) – often make Proteins that
eventually leaves the Cell – a process
called Exocytosis - for use in other areas of
the Body (such as a Hormone).
D. Mitochondria – the Powerhouses of the Cell; the
Organelle where most of the ATP is made in the
Cell.
E. The Endoplasmic Reticulum – a tubular “highway” that
runs throughout the Cell, usually connecting the
Nucleus to the Plasma Membrane.
F. The Golgi Complex – extensions of, or, expanded parts
of, the Endoplasmic Reticulum, where newly
made Proteins are fine – tuned, polished and
The Basic Unit of Life. This is the first time we have seen Life in this class.
Components of the Cell :
1. Plasma Membrane :
A. Phospholipid Bilayer.
B. Semi – Permeable.
C. Distinguishes the Inside from the Outside of the Cell.
D. Establishes “Self” and anything outside the Cell as “Non – Self”.
E. Contains “Self” Identity markers (i.e. specifically shaped
chemicals) which distinguishes “Suzie’s Cells” as different
from all other Cells, or, Type A Positive Blood as different than
Type O Negative Blood.
2. Cytoplasm or Cytosol :
A. A gel – like soup.
B. Contains
1) Carbohydrates (Sugars)
2) Lipids (Fats)
3) Proteins
4) Vitamins
5) Minerals (Electrolytes)
6) Water
C. Organelles – Small Organs :
1) The Nucleus:
a) Usually the largest and most prominent of all the
organelles.
b) Usually the Command and Control Center of the Cell.
c) Contains Structures called Chromosomes.
d) 46 Chromosomes per Nucleus of a Somatic Body Cell.
e) 46 = Diploid = 2n (where n = 23 for Humans).
, f) 23 Chromosomes per Nucleus of a Gamete – a Sex Cell.
g) 23 = Haploid = 1n (where n = 23 for Humans).
h) Gamete = Male Sperm Cell and Female
Ovum/Oocyte/Egg.
i) The Chromosomes are primarily made of DNA (Deoxy –
Ribo – Nucleic Acid).
j) DNA is an organic molecule that controls the actions of
the Cell. DNA is a Double Helix molecule (i.e. Two
Strands) comprised of four building blocks called
Nucleotides. The four Nucleotides are Adenine (A),
Thymine (T), Cytosine (C) and Guanine (G). A on one
strand always pairs (i.e. is Complimentary to) with a T
on the other strand, and a G on one strand is always
Complimentary to C on the other strand. This will be
important when we discuss Cell Division (Mitosis).
2. The Ribosome :
A. The Site of Protein Synthesis; i.e. the Organelle(s) that
makes the Proteins that the Cell and the Body
needs.
B. Free Ribosomes in the Cytoplasm – often make
Proteins that remain in the Cell that made them.
C. Ribosomes attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum
(i.e. “Rough E.R.”) – often make Proteins that
eventually leaves the Cell – a process
called Exocytosis - for use in other areas of
the Body (such as a Hormone).
D. Mitochondria – the Powerhouses of the Cell; the
Organelle where most of the ATP is made in the
Cell.
E. The Endoplasmic Reticulum – a tubular “highway” that
runs throughout the Cell, usually connecting the
Nucleus to the Plasma Membrane.
F. The Golgi Complex – extensions of, or, expanded parts
of, the Endoplasmic Reticulum, where newly
made Proteins are fine – tuned, polished and
