7.2 Cell Structure
What is the role of the cell nucleus?- What are the functions of vacuoles, lysosomes, and the cytoskeleton?
- What organelles help make and transport proteins?
- What are the functions of chloroplasts and mitochondria?
- What is the function of the cell membrane?
cytoplasm • organelle • vacuole • lysosome • cytoskeleton • centriole • ribosome • endoplasmic reticulum • Golgi apparatus • chloroplast • mitochondrion • cell wall • lipid bilayer • selectively permeable
Venn Diagram Create a Venn diagram that illustrates the similarities and differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
THINK ABOUT IT At first glance, a factory is a puzzling place. Machines buzz and clatter; people move quickly in different directions. So much activity can be confusing. However, if you take the time to watch carefully, what might at first seem like chaos begins to make sense. The same is true for the living cell.
Cell Organization
What is the role of the cell nucleus?
The eukaryotic cell is a complex and busy place. But if you look closely at eukaryotic cells, patterns begin to emerge. For example, it's easy to divide each cell into two major parts: the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is the portion of the cell outside the nucleus. As you will see, the nucleus and cytoplasm work together in the business of life. Prokaryotic cells have cytoplasm too, even though they do not have a nucleus.
In our discussion of cell structure, we consider each major component of plant and animal eukaryotic cells—some of which are also found in prokaryotic cells—one by one. Because many of these structures act like specialized organs, they are known as organelles, literally “little organs.” Understanding what each organelle does helps us understand the cell as a whole. A summary of cell structure can be found on pages 206–207.
VISUAL ANALOGY
THE CELL AS A LIVING FACTORY
FIGURE 7–6 The specialization and organization of work and workers contribute to the productivity of a factory. In much the same way, the specialized parts in a cell contribute to the cell's overall stability and survival.
Table of Contents
- Formulas and Equations
- Applying Formulas and Equations
- Mean, Median, and Mode
- Estimation
- Using Measurements in Calculations
- Effects of Measurement Errors
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Comparing Accuracy and Precision
- Significant Figures
- Calculating With Significant Figures
- Scientific Notation
- Calculating With Scientific Notation
- Dimensional Analysis
- Applying Dimensional Analysis