Basis of life cell and its

basic component,
including enzymes.
LECTURE 3
Cell is basic unit of life.
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Organelles.
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
Golgi apparatus
Cell membrane:
Cell membrane (Plasma membrane/ Plasmalemma)
A plasma membrane is composed of lipids and proteins .

Structure
Structurally, it consists of a phospholipid bilayer along with two types of proteins viz. embedded
proteins and peripheral proteins that function in providing shape and allowing the movement of
particles in and out of the cell.
The most abundant lipid which is present in the cell membrane is a phospholipid which contains
a polar head group attached to two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
The embedded proteins act as channels for the transfer of particles across the cell with some
proteins acting as receptors for the binding of various components.
The peripheral proteins function as to provide fluidity as well as mechanical support to the
structure of the cell
Cell Wall:
An additional non-living layer present outside the cell membrane in some cells
that provides structure, protection, and filtering mechanism to the cell is the cell
wall.

Structure
In a plant cell, the cell wall is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and proteins while in a
fungal cell, it is composed of chitin.
A cell wall is multilayered with a middle lamina, a primary cell wall, and a secondary cell wall.
Middle lamina contains polysaccharides that provide adhesion and allows binding of the cells
to one another.
After middle lamina is the primary cell wall which is composed of cellulose. The last layer,
which is not always present, is the secondary cell wall made of cellulose and hemicellulose
Cytoplasm:
Cytoplasm refers to everything present inside the cell except the nucleus. From cell membrane to
nucleus membrane.

Structure :
The cytoplasm consists of a cytosol; a gel-like substance that contains other matter; cell organelles;
smaller cell-like bodies bound by separate membranes; and cytoplasmic inclusions; insoluble
molecules that store energy and are not surrounded by any layer.
The cytoplasm is colorless and has about 80% water along with various nutrients required for the cell.
It is known to have the properties of both viscous matters as well as elastic matter

Function:
 Most of the vital cellular and enzymatic reactions
 It acts as a buffer and protects genetic materials as well as other organelles from damage due to
collision.
 The process called cytoplasmic streaming helps in the distribution of various nutrients and
facilitates the movement of cell organelles within the cell
Nucleus:
 The nucleus is a double membrane-bound structure responsible for controlling all cellular
activities as well as a center for genetic materials, and it’s transferring.
 It is one of the large cell organelles occupying 10% of total space in the cell.
 It is often termed the “brain of the cell” as it provides commands for the proper functioning of
other cell organelles.
Structure
 Structurally, the nucleus consists of a nuclear envelope, chromatin, and nucleolus.
 The nuclear envelope is similar to the cell membrane in structure and composition. It has pores
that allow the movement of proteins and RNA in and outside the nucleus. It enables the
interaction with other cell organelles while keeping nucleoplasm and chromatin within the
envelope.
 The chromatin in the nucleus contains RNA or DNA along with nuclear proteins, as genetic
material that is responsible for carrying the genetic information from one generation to another.
It is present in a sense and compact structure which might be visible as chromosome under
powerful magnification.
 The nucleolus is like a nucleus within the nucleus. It is a membrane-less organelle that is
responsible for the synthesis of rRNA and assembly of ribosomes required for protein synthesis.
Functions
 The nucleus is responsible for
storage as well as the transfer
of genetic materials in the form
of DNA or RNA.
 It aids in the process of
transcription by the synthesis
of mRNA molecules.
 The nucleus controls the
activity of all other organelles
while facilitating processes like
cell growth, cell division and
synthesis of proteins.
Ribosomes:
Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein containing equal parts RNA and proteins along with an array of
other essential components required for protein synthesis.

In prokaryotes, they exist freely while in eukaryotes, they are found either free or attached to the
endoplasmic reticulum.
Structure
The ribonucleoprotein consists of two subunits.
In the case of prokaryotic cells, the ribosomes are of the 70S with the larger subunit of 50S and
the smaller one of 30S.
Eukaryotic cells have 80S ribosomes with 60S larger subunit and 40S smaller subunit.
Ribosomes are short-lived as after the protein synthesis, the subunits split up and can be either
reused or remain broken up.
Functions
1. Ribosomes are the site of biological protein synthesis in all living organisms.
2. They arrange the amino acids in the order indicated by tRNA and assist in protein synthesis
Mitochondria are double membrane-bound cell organelles responsible for the supply and
storage of energy for the cell.
The oxidation of various substrates in the cell to release energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine
Triphosphate) is the primary purpose of mitochondria.

Structure
A mitochondrion contains two membranes with the outer layer being smooth while the inner
layer is marked with folding and finger-like structures called cristae.
The inner mitochondrial membrane contains various enzymes, coenzymes, and components of
multiple cycles along with pores for the transport of substrates, ATP, and phosphate molecules.
Within the membranes is a matrix that contains various enzymes of metabolic processes like
Kreb’s cycle.
In addition to these enzymes, mitochondria are also home to single or double-stranded DNA
called mtDNA that is capable of producing 10% of the proteins present in the mitochondria
Functions
The primary function of mitochondria is
the synthesis of energy in the form of
ATP required for the proper functioning
of all the cell organelles.

Mitochondria also help in balancing the

amount of Ca+ ions within the cell and
assists the process of apoptosis.

Different segments of hormones and

components of blood are built within
mitochondria.

Mitochondria in the liver have the

ability to detoxify ammonia.
Golgi Apparatus/ Golgi Complex/ Golgi Body
The Golgi Apparatus is the cell organelle mostly present in eukaryotic cells which is responsible
for the packaging of macromolecules into vesicles so that they can be sent out to their site of
action.

Structure
The structure of the Golgi Complex is pleomorphic; however, it typically exists
in three forms, i.e. cisternae, vesicles, and tubules.
The cisternae, which is the smallest unit of Golgi Complex, has a flattened sac-
like structure which is arranged in bundles in a parallel fashion.
Tubules are present as tubular and branched structures that radiate from the
cisternae and are fenestrated at the periphery.
Vesicles are spherical bodies that are divided into three groups as transitional
vesicles, secretory vesicles, and clathrin-coated vesicles.
Functions
 Golgi Complex has an essential
purpose of directing proteins and
lipids to their destination and thus,
act as the “traffic police” of the
cell.
 They are involved in the
exocytosis of various products and
proteins like zymogen, mucus,
lactoprotein, and parts of the
thyroid hormone.
 Golgi Complex is involved in the
synthesis of other cell organelles
like a cell membrane, lysozymes,
among others.
 They are also involved in the
sulfation of various molecules.
Enzymes:
catalyst for any sort of chemical reaction
occurring inside our body.
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts.
Catalysts accelerate chemical reactions.
The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates,
 The enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products.

Working of Enzymes:
It helps to break large molecules into smaller pieces that are more easily absorbed by the body.
Other enzymes help bind two molecules together to produce a new molecule.
Enzymes are highly selective catalysts, meaning that each enzyme only speeds up a specific
reaction
There are two theories explaining the enzyme-
substrate interaction
In the lock-and-key model, the active site of an
enzyme is precisely shaped to hold specific
substrates.
In the induced-fit model, the active site and
substrate don't fit perfectly together; instead, they
both alter their shape to connect.