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2-Foundations overview-26-07-2023

Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of living organisms, varying in size and type between single-celled and multicellular forms. The plasma membrane serves as a flexible barrier that regulates the passage of molecules and maintains cell integrity during growth and division. Cellular dimensions are limited by the number of biomolecules and the diffusion capacity of molecules, impacting metabolism, particularly in larger cells that require oxygen.

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5 views

2-Foundations overview-26-07-2023

Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of living organisms, varying in size and type between single-celled and multicellular forms. The plasma membrane serves as a flexible barrier that regulates the passage of molecules and maintains cell integrity during growth and division. Cellular dimensions are limited by the number of biomolecules and the diffusion capacity of molecules, impacting metabolism, particularly in larger cells that require oxygen.

Uploaded by

varshini.y2022
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Cellular Foundations

• Cell- structural and functional unit of living


organism
• Cells share certain common structural features
• Smallest organism- single cells- microscopic
• Largest multicellular organism- has many
different types of cells; vary in shape, size and
function
• Despite the differences, single or multicellular
organisms share certain fundamental property at
biochemical level.
• Plasma membrane defines the boundary of cell and
separates its content from the surroundings
• Composed of lipid /protein molecules
• Thin, tough, pliable
• Hydrophobic barrier around the cells
• Membrane serves as a barrier to organic
ions/molecules /other polar or charged compounds
• Transport proteins= allow passage of mol. /ions
• Receptor proteins- transmit signals into cells
• Membrane Enzyme- reaction pathways
• Because entire lipid or protein is not covalently
linked, the entire structure is flexible allowing
changes in shape/size of entire cell
• As a cell grows, newly made lipid /protein
molecules are inserted into the membrane.
• As a cell divides, 2 cells are made each with its
own membrane
• Growth or cell division occurs without loss of
membrane integrity
• The internal volume is bounded by plasma
membrane
• The cytoplasm is composed of an aqueous
solution (cytosol) and a variety of suspended
particles with specific function.
• Cytosol is a highly concentrated solution
consisting of Enzymes ( made of aminoacids)
and RNA ( made of nucleotides) that
synthesizes the enzymes.
• 1000s of small molecules (metabolites in
biosynthetic and degradative pathways)
• Coenzymes which are essential compounds for
enzyme reactions (also cofactors – inorganic ions)
• Cells contain nucleoid (in prokaryotes) not
separated from cytoplasm by nuclear membrane
• Nucleus in eukaryotes with a double layered
nuclear membrane that separates the genomic
content (entire set of genes and proteins) from
the remaining portion of the cell
• Cellular dimensions
• Plant or animal cells – 5-100 μm long
• Bacteria -1 -2 μm long
• What limits the cell dimensions?
• Lower limit (no. of biomolecules occupied by a
cell)
• Upper limit (ability of molecules to diffuse
through the cell)
• Bacterial cells depend on oxygen consuming
reactions for energy production by cell.
• Cell – small; surface area /volume – large-
Oxygen diffuses entire cell
• Cell – large; surface area/volume – small –
oxygen cant diffuse entire cell
• Metabolism that requires oxygen becomes
impossible as cell size increases placing a
theoretical upper limit on the size of the cell.

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