Module Instructions: The Cell

Lecture: The Cell

Watch the lecture video and complete the study guide.

I like to think of the cell as a story center around the ulitmate protangonist, the protein:

“A segment of DNA opens up, knowns a gene, and synthesizes an mRNA in a process known as transcription. After RNA Processing, the mature mRNA leaves the nucleus through the nuclear membrane the nuclear pore and travels into the rough endoplasmic reticulum where it attaches to a ribosome. At the ribosome, tRNA reads the mRNA synthesizes a protein in a process known as transcription. Side note: ribosomes are also located in the cytoplasm, the gel-like area between the nuclear membrane and cell membrane. Back at the rough endoplasmic reticulum, the newly generated protein migrates to the end of the rough ER, where it is pinched off, creating what is known as a transport vesicle. A vesicle is just a liposome (or phospholipid bilayer bubble) with something inside. The transport vesicle hitches a ride along the cytoskeleton network, and merging with the cis-face of the Golgi Apparatus releasing the protein. Once inside the Golgi, the protein is modified, stored and shipped. The protein exits out the trans-face of the Golgi, again hitching a ride on the cytoskeleton network and is transported where it goes. Our protein is bound for the cell membrane, where it controls the flow of materials into and out of the cell membrane. But our protein is just a machine. Anything with moving parts breaks down, and eventually our protein is no longer functional. The cells internal machinery recognizes this initiating the lysosome to envelop the protein and with its digestive enzymes, breaks apart the protein into its fundamental units, the amino acids. These amino acids are then capable of reused to create new proteins during translation”

This story covers most of the organelles of the cell. Other than these you need to know about the: mitochondrion, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and chloroplast.

Quiz: The Cell

Submit your completed Quiz by deadline on your class calender.