5.1: Introduction to Cells
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- Valeria Hochman Adler
- Reedley College
In 1665, Robert Hooke looked at cork under a microscope and saw multiple chambers which he called “cells”. In 1838, Schleidern and Schwann stated that (1) all plants and animals are composed of cells and that (2) cell is the most basic unit (“atom”) of life . In 1858, Virchow stated that (3) all cells arise by reproduction from previous cells ( “Omnis cellula e cellula” in Latin). These three statements became the base of the cell theory .
Discovery of cells is tightly connected with the development of microscopy. Nowadays, there are basically three kinds of microscopy: light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Light microscopes use normal light, it can magnify transparent things 1,000 times. Transmission electron microscopes give a more detailed view of the internal organization of cells and organelles. They use an electronic beam, which kills objects as it passes through. In addition, for examination under a TEM, objects are often stained with heavy metals like osmium, and for SEM with gold which is highly reflective for electronic rays. A TEM can magnify things 10,000,000 times. Scanning electron microscopes show an image of the surface of cells and organisms using reflected electronic beam. It can magnify things 1,000,000 times. It is possible to see atoms on these photographs!
The minimal cell should have three things: protein-synthesizing apparatus (from DNA to RNA and proteins), space designated for all other chemical reactions (jelly-like cytoplasm) and the oily film separating cell from its environment (membrane). This is like fruit jelly covered with thin layer of butter; “fruit pieces” are protein-synthesizing parts.
The cell membrane of all cells has two layers. One end of each layer is polar and hydrophilic, while the other end is hydrophobic. These layers are made with phospholipids which are similar to typical lipids but have polar head with phosphoric acid, and two hydrophobic, non-polar tails (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)). Apart from phospholipinds, membrane contains embedded other lipids like cholesterol (in animal cells only) and chlorophyll (in some plant membranes), proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins are extremely important because without them, membrane does not allow large hydrophylic molecules and ions to came trough.
Cells which have DNA in a membrane-bound nucleus are known as eukaryotic , while those which do not are known as prokaryotic . Prokaryotic cells have their DNA surrounded by the cytoplasm. Some have also prokaryotic flagella (rotating protein structure), a cell wall, vesicles and membrane folds/pockets (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). Eukaryotic cells have their DNA in a nucleus which separates it from the cytoplasm.
There are many other parts of the eukaryotic cell (Figure 3.2.1). The nucleus of the cell contains DNA and proteins. Nucleoli are in the nucleoplasm, this is the place where ribosomal RNAs are assembling. Ribosomes, found in the cytoplasm, help to synthesize proteins. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), usually found near edge of the cell, is where proteins are synthesized, packaged and transported. In many cells, ER is connected with nucleus membrane. The Golgi apparatus directs proteins and other substances to the part of the cell where they need to go. Eukaryotic cells must have mitochondria and might have chloroplasts , both originated via symbiogenesis (see below). Mitochondria are covered with two membranes, the inner membrane has intrusions called cristae . Mitochondria break down organic molecules into carbon dioxide and water in a process known as oxidative respiration .
Cell membranes are semi-permeable (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)), they allow some molecules (typically small and/or non-polar) to go through but others (big and/or polar) will stay outside or inside forever, or until specific pore opens. Water always “wants” to equalize concentrations on both sides of membrane and water molecules typically flow through the membrane to where concentration of other molecules (salts, acids) is higher (and, naturally, concentration of water is lower ). This is osmosis .
Cell wall (common in plants and fungi) surrounds the cell and limits how far the cell can expand due to osmosis (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)). Since osmosis may result in uncontrollable expansion of cell, cells without cell walls must find a way to pump out the excess water. Vacuole (s) is the large vesicle(s) which can do a variety of things for the cell, for instance store nutrients, accumulate ions, or become a place to store wastes. It plays an important role in the turgor (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)).