How do molecules make up cells and

how do cells function?

My objectives:

The sub-questions :

1). What are the parts of a cell?

2). How do cells function?

3). How do cells make up organs?

4). What is a molecule?

5). What is the function of a molecule in a cell?

An organelle is a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ; "the first organelle to be identified was the nucleus"wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Plant Cells

Defining characteristics of prokaryotic cells:- having cells that lack membrane-bound nuclei

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Defining characteristics of Eukaryotic cells:- organism the cells of which have a defined

nucleus and internal membranes

Prokaryotic V.S. Eukariotic

Prokaryotic V.S. EukarioticWhat they look like

prokaryote eukaryote

Definitions, details, andhow cells function

Cell wall: A semi rigid, permeable structure that is composed of cellulose, lignin, or other substances and that envelopes most plant cells. www.epidemic.org/glossary/glossaryC/The cell wall helps the cell keep its shape and acts as a protective barrier

Cell Membrane: A thin membrane (a double layer of lipids) enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell; proteins in the membrane control passage of ions (like sodium or potassium or calcium) in and out of the cell. All cells have a cell membrane.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

ORGANELLES:

Lipid: An oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Definitions and details Vacuole: A tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell

wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwnPlant vacuoles are filled with a fluid that contains nutrients and minerals, they act as large cellular storage containers.

Lysosome: An organelle that contains hydrolytic enzymes, which can degrade biopolymers such as DNA, RNA (nucleases), polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch (glycosidases), protein (proteases), cell wall components and biomembrane components (phosphatases).www.prism.gatech.edu/~gh19/b1510/cellglos.htm

Cytoplasm: The protoplasm of a cell excluding the nucleus; is full of proteins that control cell metabolism. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Plastid: Any of various small particles in the cytoplasm of the cells of plants and some animals containing pigments or starch or oil or protein. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Definitions and detailsChloroplast: Plastid containing chlorophyll and other pigments; in plants that carry out photosynthesis. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Nucleus: A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction. ; The nucleus is a membrane bound structure that contains the cell's hereditary information. http://biology.about.com/od/cellanatomy/p/nucleus.htm http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=nucleus

Nucleolus: A small round body of protein in a cell nucleus; such organelles contain RNA and are involved in protein synthesis.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Protein Synthesis: The process by which amino acids are linearly arranged into proteins through the involvement of ribosomal RNA, transfer RNA, messenger RNA, and various enzymes. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/protein+synthesis

Definitions and detailsMitochondrion: An organelle containing enzymes responsible for producing energy.wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Endoplasmic reticulum: A system of folded membranes that loop back and forth, spreading throughout the cytoplasm and providing a large surface area for cell reactions.pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh27-4/331-332.htm

Golgi Complex: A network of vesicles preparing hormones and other products for secretion.www.miracosta.edu/home/sfoster/neurons/glossary.htm

Definitions and details Dictyosome: The set of flattened membranes in a Golgi body, resembling a

stack of plates. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Dictyosome

Ribosome: (an organelle in the cytoplasm of a living cell; they attach to mRNA and move down it one codon at a time and then stop until tRNA brings the required amino acid; when it reaches a stop codon it falls apart and releases the completed protein molecule for use by the cell) "the ribosome is the site of protein synthesis wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULESThere are four major groups of organic compounds that are commonly present in

the formation or structure of cells. These four chemical compound classifications

are: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These compounds

consist almost solely of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates, lipids,

proteins, and nucleic acids are all compounds, or in a simpler sense, molecules.

Carbohydrates

A monomer, a simple part , of a carbohydrate is called a monosaccharide. These

monosaccharides are simple sugars – the most common of which are

fructose, sucrose and galactose. Sometimes a compound like a simple sugar can

have several slightly differing forms that all have an identical chemical formula,

These different forms are called isomers.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

Sometimes it is possible for two simple sugars to come together in a

condensation reaction. When the two isomers come together they form what is

called a double sugar, or disaccharide. It is also a possible for these disaccharides

to combine, if there are three or more it may be called a polysaccharide.

Proteins

Proteins are organic compounds that are composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen,

hydrogen, and carbon. Like other macromolecules, proteins are formed by the

bonding of other monomers with the appropriate composition. Many things such

as skin, muscle, and most organic catalysts are made of proteins.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

The monomer building blocks of proteins are called amino acids. Most of

these amino acids share a common structure.

Two amino acids can bond to form a dipeptide in a condensation reaction.

These amino acids can bond to each other in a long chain to form what is

commonly called a polypeptide. These long chains can have hundreds of amino

acids and their shape is influenced by several factors such as hydrogen bonding

and heat.

Enzymes are organic molecules that act as catalysts. Most enzymes are

proteins. These reactions depend on the fact that the enzyme and the reactant

molecule must be a precise fit for each other. This fitting is responsible for a

slight change in the shape of the enzyme.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

This allows the enzyme to better conform to the shape of the reactant

molecule, and also is likely to weaken the molecule’s bonds and therefore make

it more reactive. Enzymes are unchanged after the reaction, therefore they can

be used many times over, it are also what releases the products of the reaction.

lipids

These organic molecules are large, nonpolar, and do not dissolve in water.

These molecules store energy more effectively than most others because they

have a higher number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in comparison to

carbohydrates. These store energy more efficiently than the carbon-oxygen

bonds that are commonly found in other organic compounds.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

Fatty acids are long unbranched chains of carbon molecules that

make up most lipids. At one end of the chain there is a carboxyl group,

COOH, this is why the two ends of the chain have completely different

properties. The carboxyl end is polar and therefore wants to attach to

water molecules. This property makes the fatty acid molecule

“hydrophyllic” or “water loving” the other end of the fatty acid chain is

non- polar, and therefore if “hydrophobic” or water fearing. A

saturated fatty acid is when all of the carbon molecules have the

maximum amount of bonds (4).

there are three important types of lipids in the world of biology.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

These important groups are triglycerides, phospholipids, and waxes.

A triglyceride is a group of three fatty acid chains joined to a

molecule of alcohol or glycerol. Saturated triglycerides are only different

by the fact that they contain only saturated fatty acid chains. They tend

to be solid at room temperature, and have a high melting point.

Phospholipids have two rather than three fatty acid chains. They, also

are joined to a molecule of glycerol. Cell membranes are usually

composed by two layers of phospholipids.

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

A wax is a structural form of lipid. These wax molecules are a long chain of

fatty acid molecules bonded to a chain of alcohol. These are useful in biology

because waxes are highly waterproof, and in plants these waxes often form a

protective outer layer, they also often are found within protective inner

membranes of animals.

Nucleic Acids

Nucleic acids are large and complex, they contain many individual particles.

These nucleic acids store a lot of important information about the cell. Computers

use binary code to convey information, nucleic acids use a similar concept .

BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES CONTINUED

Cells use a system of four different compounds to store their

hereditary information. These four compounds can be arranged in

different orders in order to act as a code for the genetic instructions of

a cell. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) includes all of the information vital

to cell function including the information responsible for proper cell

division. Ribonucleic acid of RNA stores and transfers all of the

information that is vital for producing proteins. Both DNA and RNA are

long polymers made of thousands of small monomers called nucleotides.

Each nucleotide consists of three components: a phosphate group, a

five-carbon sugar, and a ring shaped nitrogen base.

Most of the information in this section was derived from the “Modern Biology “ book.

Cellular respiration

Cellular respiration: The metabolic processes whereby certain

organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take

place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon

dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the

lungs. http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=cellular+respiration&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&

h=0

ATP A nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the

major source of energy for cellular reactions. http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?

o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&s=adenosine+triphosphate

WHAT IT ALL MEANS TO US (earthlings)

Cells are a vital part of “spaceship earth” especially now when some of its

systems are failing to function properly. Cell theory states that all living

organisms consist of one or more cells, this means that if they have problems,

knowing about them and their functions is vital in trying to restore their

proper function. This fascinating concept of the cell- the huge amount of

genetic information stored in it, and the fact that it is able to function as a

separate organism within an organism. These magnificent structures are well

evolved and adapted, but not invincible, therefore we must be careful that

nothing harms or alters our cells- that might not be that great.