Eukaryotic Cells (Edexcel International A Level Biology): Revision Note

Organelle Structures

• Cells can be divided into two broad types; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

• Eukaryotic cells have a more complex ultrastructure than prokaryotic cells

  • The term ultrastructure refers to the internal structure of cells

• Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells

  • Eukaryotic cells range in diameter from around 10-100 μm

  • Prokaryotic cells range in diameter from around 0.1-5 μm

• The cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells is divided up into membrane-bound compartments called organelles

• Animal and plant cells are both types of eukaryotic cells that share key structures such as

  • Membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus

  • Larger ribosomes known as 80S ribosomes

• Key differences between animal and plant cells include

  • Animal cells contain centrioles and some have microvilli while plant cells do not

    • Microvilli are folded regions of the cell surface membrane that increase cell surface area for absorption, e.g. in the small intestine

  • Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall, large permanent vacuoles, and chloroplasts while animal cells do not

Animal cells are a type of eukaryotic cell

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that have a cellulose cell wall, permanent vacuole, and chroroplasts

Organelle Functions

Cell surface membrane

• All cells are surrounded by a cell surface membrane which controls the exchange of materials between the internal cell environment and the external environment

  • The membrane is described as being partially permeable, meaning that some substances can pass through the membrane while others cannot

• Cell membrane is formed from a phospholipid bilayer spanning a diameter of around 10 nm

• Many organelles inside cells are surrounded by cell membrane, so when referring to the outer membrane of a cell it is always a good idea to refer to it as the cell surface membrane

  • The cell surface membrane can also be referred to as the plasma membrane

The cell surface membrane surrounds the cell, separating it from its external environment

Nucleus

• Present in all eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is relatively large and separated from the cytoplasm by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope, which has many pores

  • Nuclear pores are important channels for allowing mRNA and ribosomes to travel out of the nucleus, as well as allowing enzymes, e.g. DNA polymerases, and signalling molecules to travel in

• The nucleus contains chromatin, the material from which chromosomes are made

  • Chromosomes are made of sections of linear DNA tightly wound around proteins called histones

• Usually, at least one or more darkly stained regions of the nucleus can be observed under a microscope; these regions are individually termed nucleolus (plural nucleoli) and are the sites of ribosome production

The nucleus of a eukaryotic cell is surrounded by the nuclear envelope and contains chromatin as well as a region called the nucleolus. Note that the nucleus is shown here surrounded by another organelle; the endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondria

• The site of aerobic respiration within eukaryotic cells, mitochondria (singular mitochondrion) are just visible with a light microscope

• Mitochondria are surrounded by a double-membrane with the inner membrane folded to form structures called cristae

• The matrix of mitochondria contains enzymes needed for aerobic respiration, producing ATP

• Small circular pieces of DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA, and ribosomes are also found in the matrix

  • These are needed for replication of mitochondria before cell division

Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration in eukaryotic cells

Ribosomes

• Ribosomes can be found as free organelles in the cytoplasm of all cells or as part of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotic cells

• They are not surrounded by a membrane

• Each ribosome is a complex of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins

• 80s ribosomes are found in eukaryotic cells

• 70s ribosomes are found in prokaryotes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts

• Ribosomes are the site of translation

Ribosomes are formed in the nucleolus and are composed of almost equal amounts of RNA and protein

Endoplasmic reticulum

• There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum; rough and smooth

• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

  • RER is formed from folds of membrane continuous with the nuclear envelope

  • The surface of RER is covered in ribosomes

  • The role of the RER is to process proteins made on the ribosomes

• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

  • SER is also formed from folds of membrane but its function is distinct from the RER, being involved in the production, processing and storage of lipids, carbohydrates and steroids

  • SER does not have ribosomes on its surface 

The RER and SER are visible under the electron microscope; the presence or absence of ribosomes helps to distinguish between them

Golgi apparatus

• The Golgi apparatus consists of flattened sacs of membrane similar in appearance to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum

  • The Golgi apparatus is sometimes known as the Golgi body

  • The Golgi can be distinguished from the SER by its regular, stacked appearance; it can be described as looking like a wifi symbol!

• The role of the Golgi apparatus is to modify proteins and lipids before packaging them into Golgi vesicles

  • The vesicles then transport the proteins and lipids to their required destination

  • Proteins that go through the Golgi apparatus can be

    • Exported from the cell, e.g. hormones such as insulin

    • Put into lysosomes, e.g. hydrolytic enzymes

    • Delivered to other membrane-bound organelles

The Golgi apparatus; the cis face lies near the rough endoplasmic reticulum, while the trans face lies near the cell membrane

Lysosomes

• Lysosomes are specialist forms of vesicle which contain hydrolytic enzymes

• The role of lysosomes is to break down waste materials such as worn-out organelles,

  • Lysosomes are used extensively by cells of the immune system and in programmed cell death, known as apoptosis

Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes

Centrioles

• Centrioles are made of hollow fibres knows as microtubules

  • Microtubules are filaments of protein that can be used to move substances around inside a cell, as well as to support the shape of a cell from the inside

• Two centrioles at right angles to each other form a centrosome which organises the spindle fibres during cell division

• Centrioles are not found in plants and fungi

Centrioles are structures formed from microtubules; they are involved with the process of nuclear division in animal cells