Structure and Functions of a Cell and its Subcellular Components
Start with the big picture
The lesson begins with the plasma membrane as a fluid, asymmetric lipid-protein bilayer, including the roles of cholesterol, membrane proteins, lipid rafts, and the glycocalyx. It then surveys organelles by their functions: the nucleus and nucleolus in genetic activity and ribosome-subunit assembly; mitochondria in energy production and apoptosis; and the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi in protein and lipid processing. Other sections cover lysosomes, peroxisomes, proteasomes, and endosomes, followed by the cytoskeleton, centrosome, ribosomes, cell junctions, endocytosis, and transcytosis. Together, these topics connect cellular structures with their contributions to transport, organization, and maintenance.
What you'll learn
- Describe the plasma membrane’s structure and the roles of its major components.
- Relate the nucleus, nucleolus, and mitochondria to their principal cellular functions.
- Distinguish the roles of rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus.
- Identify how cellular degradation and sorting systems handle proteins and endocytosed cargo.
- Summarize how the cytoskeleton, centrosome, ribosomes, and cell junctions support cell organization.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
