Amoeba Sisters Lecture on Cells

Introduction

• Personal Reflection: Recollection of exciting science class experiences.
  • Earthworm dissection
  • Owl pellet examination
  • Osmosis eggs
  • Genetic experiments with fruit flies
  • Pond water observation of an amoeba

Modern Cell Theory

• Three Main Tenets:
  1. The cell is the smallest living unit in all organisms.
  2. All living things are made of cells.
  3. All cells come from pre-existing cells.

Cellular Structure and Classification

• Basic Groups of Cells:
  • Prokaryotes:
    • Bacteria and Archaea
    • No nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
  • Eukaryotes:
    • Plants, animals, fungi, protists
    • Have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Shared Features of Cells

• Common Structures:
  • Genetic material
  • Cytoplasm
  • Ribosomes for protein synthesis
  • Cell membranes for selective permeability and homeostasis

Cell Membrane

• Function:
  • Selectively permeable
  • Maintains homeostasis

Cytoplasm and Cytoskeleton

• Cytoplasm:
  • Jelly-like material surrounding cell structures
• Cytoskeleton:
  • Provides support and facilitates cell movement

Ribosomes

• Function:
  • Protein synthesis
  • Present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Eukaryotic Organelles

• Nucleus:
  • Holds genetic material
  • Controls cell activities
  • Contains nucleolus for ribosome production
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
  • Processes and transports molecules
  • Rough ER (with ribosomes): Protein synthesis and transport
  • Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis and detoxification
• Golgi Apparatus:
  • Packaging and sorting of molecules
• Mitochondria:
  • ATP production through cellular respiration

Plant vs. Animal Cells

• Plant Cells:
  • Have mitochondria and chloroplasts for photosynthesis
  • Have a central vacuole and cell wall for support
• Animal Cells:
  • Typically have multiple smaller vacuoles

Protein Pathway in Eukaryotic Cells

1. DNA in nucleus provides instructions
2. Ribosomes synthesize proteins
3. Proteins transported via Rough ER
4. Golgi apparatus sorts and packages proteins
5. Proteins secreted through vesicles

Conclusion

• Encourage further exploration of cell organelles
• Amoeba Sisters sign-off: "Stay curious!"