Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Cell Structure

    In the study of cell biology, which is based on understanding all properties of a cell, cell structure is a critical topic as this details the anatomy of a cell. In order to fully understand the processes carried out by a cell, such as cellular respiration, and how a cell interacts with its environment, analyzing cell structure is an important first step.

    When analyzing the structure of a cell, a cell can be broken up into different groups. One of these groups can be thought of as the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is the intracellular space of a cell, which is fluid in nature. It is within the cytoplasm that all of the vital organelles within a cell reside. For example, the endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles are two organelles present within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell.

    Considering how the nucleus controls the entire cell and is such a powerful and vital organelle, it can be thought of as its own group. The nucleus not only controls all cellular activities, but it contains the entire cell genome.

    Finally, the outer surface of a cell can be thought of as another group. This includes the cell membrane and cell wall. All cells contain a cell membrane, whereas not all cells possess a cell wall. A cell wall is found in all plants, along with some archaea, bacteria, fungi and algae. Clearly, cell structure does vary between different cell types. For example, prokaryotic cells are much simpler in nature and have a more primitive structure compared to eukaryotic cells.

    Cell structure is a fundamental topic in biology. Understanding the cell structure of different cell types is imperative to many biological fields such as medicine, immunology and molecular biology. Through continued research, further advancements can be made in fully understanding the anatomy, biochemistry and physiology of a cell. 

    © BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 29, 2024, 12:40 am ad1c9bdddf

    BrainMass Categories within Cell Structure

    Cell Membranes and Cell Walls

    Solutions: 53

    Membranes are cellular structures which separate the interior and exterior compartments of a cell or individual organelle, whereas the cell wall is required for structural support in only selective cell types.

    Cytoskeleton

    Solutions: 5

    The cytoskeleton is found within the cytoplasm of a cell and is fundamental to the functioning and structure of a cell.

    Cell Nucleus

    Solutions: 6

    The nucleus of a cell is a membrane-bound organelle situated within the cytoplasm and can be thought of as the “brain” of a cell.

    Intracellular Compartment

    Solutions: 0

    The term intracellular compartment refers to the region which lies inside of the cell membrane and includes all of the organelles which are present within this domain.

    Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

    Solutions: 1

    Mitochondria and chloroplasts are membrane-bound organelles which are responsible for carrying out vital cellular functions: cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Nitrosococcus Oceani and Nitrosopumilus Maritimus

    1. What chemicals do Nitrosococcus oceani and Nitrosopumilus maritimus consume from their ocean environment? How does the abundance of these chemicals influence their success and abundance? What is the relationship between nutrient availability and natural selection, in general? 2. What chemical byproducts do each contribute?

    Principles of Taxonomy: Prokaryotic Organisms

    Analyze the paper by Urakawa et al. (2012) by considering the characteristics that allow us to classify the prokaryotic organisms in this study as belonging to different domains. Use the website: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibit/phylogeny.html Review the definitions of Archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Begin at http

    Metabolic pathways, oil, and living things

    Write a 3-4 page paper that addresses each of the following topics. Use subtitles and headings to organize your paper. Research your answers to the questions below using scholarly sources, including national, university, and government websites, publications, and scientific journals. Cite your references throughout and include a

    Glycolyis and Cellular Respiration

    Answer the following questions in a 2- to 3-page paper: 1. What is the starting molecule in glycolysis (i.e., what is being metabolized. Be specific)? 2. Define these terms: substrate, enzyme, ATP, and describe why they are important in cellular respiration. 3. What do these enzymes do, generally speaking? Would the reac

    Muscle contraction

    Review the videos below on the steps of muscle contraction: 1) Events at the neuromuscular junction 2) Excitation-contraction coupling 3) Crossbridge cycle These videos illustrate the steps that occur for skeletal muscle cells, which are very similar to cardiac, heart, muscle cells which contract in

    Effect of Oil on Ocean Life

    PowerPoint Slide Explain the results of one of the studies conducted to assess the effect of oil on ocean life, summarized in this article: https://woods.stanford.edu/news-events/news/oil-causes-heart-problems-fish. To develop your explanation, include: [Slide 1] A diagram of a hydrocarbon. Explain its relevance to oil in

    Plant and Animal Organelles

    List the three organelles plants cells have that animal cells do not have and the animal cell organelle plants do not have. Discuss the function of the three unique plant cell organelles.

    The Cell and its Components

    I need some assistance regarding cells and their components. For example: 1) What are the basic components of a cell? 2) Describe selected components of a cell, and why they are essential to the function of a cell. Please include references.

    Eukaryotic cells and their organelles

    Eukaryotic cells are complex in organization and structure, especially when you consider their small size. Consider the organelle contents of the typical eukaryotic cell. Select two organelles and compare them relative to structure and function. Describe what would be the specific probable effects on the cell if each of these or

    Difference in Cells and structure

    Prokaryotic cells are simple cells. Eukaryotic cells are more complex. What structures do eukaryotic cells have that prokaryotic cells do not? What are different kinds of eukaryotic cells? How do these cells differ in structure? Discuss some of the reasons why the structures of these kinds of cells might be different and how the

    Cell Organelles and Their Functions

    Could you please help me with this problem?: Select at least two cell organelles. What does each organelle do? What changes would happen in the cell if your first organelle took over all the duties of the second organelle? Thank you!

    ATP energy and calcium ion effect on muscles

    Explain the relation between muscles, ATP energy, and the calcium ion. I will be using for class, If there are any references please include them. If there is any way one can provide specific examples as well related to the different relations I would really appreciate it. Thank you

    Structure and Function of Organelles

    I need to select and discuss two organelles and compare their structure and function. What would be a specific probable effect on the cell if each of the organelles were lost? How would I best organize this information, and keep it in simple terms?

    Questions

    1. A type of cell called a lymphocyte makes proteins that are exported from the cell. You can track the path of these proteins within the cell from production through export by labeling them with radioactive isotopes. Identify which of the following structures would be radioactively labeled in your experiment, listing them in th

    Compare Cell Parts to Parts of a Factory

    Compare cell parts to parts of a factory. What part of a factory would be a nucleus? Nucleolus? Cell Membrane? Ribosome? Chromatin? Mitochondria? Endoplasmic Reticulum? Lysosome? Vacule? Golgi Bodies?

    Why we Study Cellular Components

    Could you help with an assignment by commenting on the following question?: Why should we study the cell and its components? Please give specific examples and details.

    Pinocytosis summary

    Pinocytosis: a. is engulfment of large particles by the cell b. occurs in protozoans and algae but not in more complex organisms c. involves the specific binding of molecules to receptors on the cell surface d. is the non specific uptake of fluids by pinching inward of the plasma membrane e. is movement of molecules

    Summary of fluid mosaic model

    What is meant by the term "fluid mosaic model"? a. it is the diffusion of lipid-soluble substances through the lipid bilayer. b. it is the movement of lipids and integral proteins within the lipid bilayer c. it is the solubility of water in the membranes d. it is the method of substance transport across the membrane e

    angiosperms and gymnosperms

    Please answer these questions asap. 1. a) Distinguish between gram-negative and gram postive bacteria. What external structures may be present in both? b) Draw and label a complete virus. 2. Describe what is meant by alternation of generations. 3. Compare and contrast angiosperms and gymnosperms. 4. Name the f

    Protein that has Two Transmembrane Domains

    I am studying a protein that has two transmembrane domains. The spacing of the transmembrane domains is show as boxes on figure below. The C-terminal domain of the protein is cytoplasmic. Is the N-terminal domain of the protein cytoplasmic or extracellular? Why? Which portion of the protein will be most likely to be glycosilated

    Osmosis/ active transport of water and glucose into a cell

    In a cell, there is less water on the inside and less glucose on the outside. Water wants to enter the cell and the cell wants to transport in more glucose. Relative to the cell, what type of environment is this? How will the cell be able to have both the water and glucose enter?

    Organelle Analogies

    I need help finding analogies for the following: 1) cytoplasm 2) nucleus 3) chromosomes 4) vacuole 5) cytoskeleton 6) lysosome 7) centriole 8) cilia The analogy has to represent what the cell's function is. I am having difficulty doing this. Any suggestions?

    "A Wrinkle in Time" - what happens when the mitochondria die?

    In Madeleine L'Engle's children's novel A Wrinkle in Time, the mitochondria in one of the characters start to die. Describe what would happen to people who lost their mitochondria, and explain why it would happen. Just need a simple paragraph to help out

    Energy and Metabolism (Photosynthesis & Respiration); Cell Structure

    Bacterial cells are prokaryotic. Select two structures of bacterial cells and briefly describe them; what do they look like, what are they composed of? Then, explain how these two structures allow bacterial cells to survive as unicellular organisms. There are many examples of eukaryotic cells. Algae, Fungi, Plants, and Animals

    A Discussion on Cells

    There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic.Bacterial cells are prokaryotic. Select two structures of bacterial cells and briefly describe them; what do they look like, what are they composed of? Then, explain how these two structures allow bacterial cells to survive as unicellular organisms. There are many

    There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic and eurkaryotic

    1. Baterial cells are prokaryotic. select two structures of baterial calls and briefly describe them;what they look like,what are they composed ofhen , explain how these two structures allow bacterial cells to survive as unicellular organisims. 2. There are many examples of eukaryotic cells. Algae, Fungi, plants, and animals ar