The Cell
|
The cell is the smallest unit in the body. The
body has about 200 different cell types;
the largest one is the egg
cell which is 0,25mm, and the smallest cell is only 0,004mm.
There are
approximately 60 billion cells in the human body.
A cell consist of 75-80% water. The rest is
protein, fat, salt, sugar and DNA.
Different cells have different
functions depending on what kind of tissue they make.
Tissues form
functional units and different organs.
The organs form different systems, for example
locomotor system, circulation, respiration etcetera.
For all cells,
metabolism is a common vital function.
A haploid cell has a single set of chromosomes.
A diploid cell has two sets of chromosomes.
The cell contains many minor structures; so called organelles
The Cell Organelles
Nucleus: | ”Office” The brain
of the cell. It contains the cell's DNA and the nucleolus,
which is the site of RNA and ribosome production. It directs the
production of proteins in the
cell. |
Cell membrane: | ”Customs”
Surrounds the cell and determines which molecules may enter or
leave the cell. Consists of lipids and proteins that transmit signals within the cell. The lipids form a bilayer in which integral proteins are embedded to varying degrees. |
Cytoplasm: | Gel-like
substance between the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane, in which all
other organelles float. The site of most of the chemical activities of the
cell. |
Endoplasmic Reticulum: |
”Factory”
System of membrane-bound cavities where
the
synthesis of lipids and
membrane proteins takes place. |
Ribosomes: | ”Workers"Varies
from thousands to millions in every cell depending on how much protein it
produces. Ribosomes are responsible for the translation of
mRNA, which may occur in the cytoplasm. Messenger RNA decides which proteins the specific cell
produces. |
Golgi apparatus (Only in highly developed cells) | ”Warehouse”
Stores and processes fats, modifies proteins, transports proteins
and lipids to other cellular compartments or to the cell surface for
excretion after the ER releases them. |
Mitochondria: | ”Power
station” This is the site where most of the energy metabolism occurs,
it releases energy stored in food. This fuels the cell and gives us energy
in the form of ATP.Mitochondria also contain DNA, by means of which they
can independently replicate. |
Lysosomes: | ”Garbage disposal”
Membrane-bound organelles that are capable of digesting the
cell's proteins. The digested cell nutrients are used in all cells.
Proteins become amino acids which are used again by the cell to make new
proteins. |
Cytoskeleton: | As its name
implies, the cytoskeleton helps to maintain cell shape. But the primary
importance of the cytoskeleton is in cell motility. The internal movement
of cell organelles, as well as cell locomotion and muscle fiber
contraction could not take place without the cytoskeleton. The
cytoskeleton is an organized network of three primary protein filaments:
microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate
fibers. |
Vacuoles: | Fluid-filled spaces that are surrounded by
membranes, store and excrete water.The vacuole fills with food being
digested and waste material that is on its way out of the
cell. |
Centrioles: | Keeps the boundary
where chromosomes divide during cell
division. |
The human body is a complex organism that can create specialized cells with different tasks such as:
MITOSIS = cell
division.
The process by which the body grows and replaces
cells and is divided into five phases:
Interphase: The major part of the cell´s life is the interphase; the interval between two successive cell divisions, during which the chromosomes are not individually distinguishable and the normal physiological processes proceed. For example the making of its specialized proteins such as lipids or connective tissue. The life span of the cells vary a great deal. Some cells live only for a couple of weeks (gastrointestinal) compared to the neurones which are not renewable. During the Interphase the DNA replicates, the centrioles divide, and proteins are actively produced.
Prophase: Replicated DNA and associated proteins condense into chromosomes.
Metaphase: The contracted chromosomes are arranged in the equatorial plane of the spindle prior to separation. Microtubules of the cytoskeleton, responsible for cell shape, motility and attachment to other cells during interphase, disassemble. And the building blocks of these microtubules are used to grow the mitotic spindle from the region of the centrioles.The cell now concentrates on separation and all other tasks are cancelled.
Anaphase: Chromosomes separate into exactly similar halves.The chromatids (daughter chromosomes) are pulled apart and begin moving to the cell poles.
Telophase: The daughter chromosomes arrive at the poles. The daughter nuclei are formed; the cytoplasm divides, forming two complete daughter cells ready to start working. They are now in interphase.
It´s good to know that the 60 billion cells in the body get on well together considering how difficult it is for us humans to collaborate!