Slide 1:Biology For Computer Engineers
Part 2: The Cell
Slide 2:Cover image, courtesy of Wellcome Images, Creative Commons license
All other images, courtesy of Wikipedia. Acknowledgements
Slide 3:Nucleotide
Organic molecule
Consists of
Base Ring structure
with Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen
Sugar
Phosphate (PO43-)
Acidic character Nucleotides (CH2)
Slide 4:Nucleic Acids are polymers of nucleotides
Different nucleotides link together
Phosphate at 5` of one nucleotide links to 3` Carbon of another nucleotide
Called Phosphodiester bridge Nucleic Acids Common nucleic acids
RNA
Ribonucleic acid
Sugar is ribose
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Sugar is deoxyribose
Slide 5:Common bases
Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Guanine (G), Cytosine (C), Uracil (U)
DNA has only A, T, G and C as bases
Bases can form hydrogen bonds with other bases
AT, AU, GC bonds are stabler
Called base-pairing
Leads to secondary and tertiary structures in nucleic acids
DNA double helix, RNA folding
One strand can construct its complementary strand from a soup of nucleotides
Complement of the complement will be a replica of the same strand Nucleic Acids
Slide 6:A sequence of 3 bases attracts a specific amino acid
AGC->Serine, AGA->Arginine etc.
Such a sequence is called a codon
Sequence of codons can assemble multiple amino acids into proteins
This is how protein structure is coded in nucleic acid
These proteins are manufactured during biosynthesis Nucleic Acids
Slide 7:DNA has a double helix structure and is more stable
Usually forms very long chains
Acts as long-term storage of genetic information
RNA is shorter, single/double stranded, less stable, more reactive
RNA with genetic code created from DNA
through base-pairing
RNA synthesis
Takes part in actual protein synthesis
as protein structure code carrier and catalyzing agent Nucleic Acids
Slide 8:Hydrophobes
repels water molecules
not electrically polarized
does not form hydrogen bonds with water molecules
H bonds between water molecules not disturbed
hence does not dissolve in water
typically a large hydrocarbon group
CH3(CH2)n, n>4 Water and Biomolecules
Slide 9:Water and Biomolecules Hydrophiles
attracts water molecules
electrically polarized
so forms H bonds with water molecules
examples
charged groups
polar, uncharged groups Amphiphiles
compounds with hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties
also called amphipathic
has hydrophobic and hydrophilic structural areas
might partially dissolve in water and non-polar solvents Carboxylate RCOO-
Sulfate RSO4-
Sulfonate RSO3-
Phosphate PO43-
Amine RNH3+ Alkyl HR
Hydroxyl ROH
Carboxyl RCOOH
Slide 10:Amphiphilic
Polar heads
hydrophilic
non-polar fatty acid tails
hydrophobic
Phospholipids
Forms special structures in water
lipids arrange in water such that polar heads face water
non-polar tails face each other
Bilayer sheet
polar exterior, oily core
permeable to small hydrophobic molecules
non-permeable to ionic and polar molecules
Liposome, Micelle Phospholipids
Slide 11:Any system that has certain characteristics
Self-organizing
State machine with multiple stable states
Action processes to handle external and internal events
Feedback and control systems for process control
Self-producing
A new instance created by one or more existing instances
Adaptive
State machine modifies itself to adjust to new environments
over time
Adjustments passed on to newer instances
Metabolizing
Operation and reproduction of the system requires energy
Energy required by the system is acquired from the environment What is Life?
Slide 12:Prehistoric earth was a chemical potpourri
No chemical equilibrium
Large supply of energy
Basic organic molecules were produced
Can be reproduced in lab
These chain together to form polymers
proteins, polynucleotides (DNA/RNA)
Happens spontaneously if there is enough energy Evolution of Life
Slide 13:Polynucleotides can act as templates to create complementary polynucleotides
2 complements produce the original
Called Autocatalysis
Special RNA molecules can catalyze replication of other nucleotides
Origin of reproduction Evolution of Life
Slide 14:RNA molecules can synthesize proteins
Origin of Growth
Proteins are very versatile
Can act as catalysts, chemically diverse
Can participate in a variety of chemical reactions
Facilitates metabolism, regulation
Lipids can form bi-layer membranes
Can form compartments enclosed by membranes
Origin of cells
Cell evolution
Lipid membrane enclosures containing nucleic acids and proteins Evolution of Life
Slide 15:Cells
Single entity that exhibits all characteristics of life
Cells live co-operatively in colonies
Symbiosis
Organisms
co-operating cells with same source code form symbiotic relationships
cells with the same ‘source code’ (DNA) behave in different ways
depending on how they are created
become tissue cells, liver cells, brain cells etc.
cell specialization
an entire system of co-operative cells together exhibit characteristics of life
an animal/plant is like a colony of bacteria Types of Life
Slide 16:Cell is the basic unit of life
Types of cell
Prokaryotic
no nucleus
bacteria, archea
Eukaryotic
with a cell nucleus
All cells that are part of a multi-cellular organism
Plants, Animals, Fungii Cell
Slide 17:A cell exhibits all characteristics of life
Cells organize themselves
multiple stable states
feedback loops
Cells produce cells
cells divide to form new cells
Cells adapt
cells adjust to new environments over time
behavior changes over generations
cells with behavior favorable to their environment tend to survive
natural selection
mutations in source code (DNA) enable adaptive behavior Cell Functions
Slide 18:cells generate energy and use it to grow
metabolism
energy generated from nutrients obtained from cell's environment
catabolism
generated energy used for various purposes
anabolism
for growth
to build proteins and nucleic acids, called biosynthesis
for motion
for active transport
pump substances in/out of cell
for signal amplification
to amplify small external events for better handling Cell Functions
Slide 19:A fluid medium enclosed by a wall/membrane
Internal parts perform various life functions Prokaryotic Cell Structure
Slide 20:poly-saccharide or poly-peptide wall
mucous-like
not easily washed off
protects against external agents
helps to stick to surfaces
secreted during cell growth Prokaryotic Cell: Cell Capsule
Slide 21:Cell Wall
provides rigidity and structure
polysaccharide complexes
holds cell from bursting
cell's inside pressure is higher than outside Prokaryotic Cell Wall/Membrane Plasma Membrane
phospholipid bilayer
partially permeable membrane
like a layer of oil
has transport mechanisms for various signals and nutrients Cell Membrane
Slide 22:Cytoplasm
space inside the cell
the fluid part is called cytosol
semi-transparent, gelatinous
also includes elements suspended in it
contains water, dissolved ions, small molecules, large water-soluble molecules
catabolism happens here
Creation of energy from nutrients that come into the cell
Nutrients pass across cell membrane Prokaryotic Cell: Cytoplasm
Slide 23:Ribosomes
small granules that float around in cytoplasm
RNA-multi-protein complex
multiple subunits
runs programs from DNA to create proteins
called protein synthesis
uses energy
Nucleoid
mainly DNA loop
storage of programs (source code) for the cell Prokaryotic Ribosomes/Nucleoid
Slide 24:Eukaryotic Cell: Plant Cell
Slide 25:Eukaryotic Cell: Animal Cell
Slide 26:Plasma Membrane
lipid bilayer membrane
selectively permeable
not rigid, can take variety of shapes
allows animal cells to change shape
delimits cell boundary in animal cells
Cytoplasm
similar to prokaryotic cytoplasm
differences
only a part of cell energy is produced in eukaryotic cytoplasm
rest in mitochondria Eukaryotic Cell: Membrane/Cytoplasm
Slide 27:Eukaryotic Cell: Mitochondrion
Slide 28:multiple per cell
divide and grow depending on cell's energy needs
enclosed by two membranes
each membrane is a phospholipid bilayer
cellular power plants
generates most of ATP produced in cell
some ATP is produced in cytoplasm too
has its own DNA
synthesizes its own proteins and RNA
might be remnant of a symbiotic bacteria which became part of the cell Eukaryotic Cell: Mitochondrion
Slide 29:Parts
Inner membrane
has ATP synthase on its inner surface
folded for increased surface area
for higher ATP production
folds called cristae
Matrix
ATP is produced here
contains
enzymes
several copies of mitochondrial DNA
special ribosomes Eukaryotic Cell: Mitochondrion
Slide 30:stacked membrane disks
processes and packages macromolecules produced in cell
proteins, lipids etc.
for secretion or for internal use
immediate secretion
store-till-signal and secrete
adds carbohydrates, phosphates etc.
modifications help the molecules attach to (reach) destinations where they are needed
molecules come to and leave golgi through vesicles
different vesicles for secretion and internal transport
Vesicles are small membrane-bound sacs
post-office of the cell Eukaryotic Cell: Golgi Apparatus
Slide 31:rough endoplasmic reticulum
protein production
done by attached ribosomes
similar to prokaryotic ribosomes
folding and transport of cell membrane proteins
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
lipid and carbohydrate production
calcium ion storage Eukaryotic Cell: Endoplasmic Reticulum
Slide 32:Eukaryotic Cell: Nucleus
Slide 33:enclosed in a double membrane
contains cells's DNA stored in chromosomes
small molecules and ions can freely move in and out of nucleus
through nuclear pores
movement of larger molecules is controlled
cannot move through pores
need to be passed across the membrane through active transport
most cells have one nucleus
some have none
red blood cells
some have many
some fungii Eukaryotic Cell: Nucleus
Slide 34:organized structures that contain DNA
DNA molecules held in a specific arrangement
by protein molecules called histones
DNA packed into a small space
allows large DNA molecules to fit into nucleus
called chromatin
multiple chromosomes might be present in a nucleus
chromosomes come in pairs
human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes Eukaryotic Cell: Chromosomes
Slide 35:Chromosome Packing
Slide 36:only seen in animal cells
organelles that are very acidic inside
PH 4.8
contains digestive enzymes
breaks down excess or worn-out organelles, food particles, and engulfed viruses or bacteria
fuses with vesicles containing target material
used in cell suicide when lysosomes break
digestive enzymes destroy cell contents Eukaryotic Cell: Lysosomes
Slide 37:Cell Wall
made of cellulose
semi-permeable, semi-rigid
function same as bacterial cell wall
Central Vacuole
helps manage pressure difference between inside and outside of cell
acts like a water balloon
helps in cell elongation
surrounded by a membrane
contains cell sap Eukaryotic Cell: Plant cell parts
Slide 38:Chloroplast
organelle that contains chlorophyll
photosynthesis happens here
CO2 + H2O + Light => Sugars + O2
The oxygen is released into atmosphere
Part of sugars produced in chloroplast used for growth
Some sugar is decomposed in mitochondria to produce ATP
ATP => ADP transition provides energy for biosynthesis
Aerobic respiration
O2 absorbed from atmosphere, CO2 released
More O2 released during photosynthesis than what is used for aerobic respiration Eukaryotic Cell: Plant cell parts
Slide 39:called Mitosis
triggers
external proteins
internal proteins
accumulated during some regular cellular process
triggers when a critical level is reached
oscillating chemical reactions
protein production and degradation reactions
slow build-up (during growth)
fast return (after division) reactions Cell Division
Slide 40:Eukaryotic Cell Division DNA strands in chromosomes replicate
Two poles form, connected by microtubules
Chromosomes align to poles
Microtubules attach to chromosomes
Microtubules pull chromosomes replicas apart
Membrane and cytoplasm divides into two separate cells
Slide 41:Prokaryotic Cell Division no detailed cell cycle
DNA is a double stranded loop in prokaryotes
DNA replication starts from one point and proceeds till end
Slide 42:Cell Metabolism all metabolism uses ATP-ADP cycle for energy storage
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)  ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate) + Energy
Enzyme catalyzed cycle
variety of catabolic mechanisms to generate energy from environment
aerobic and anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis
alcohol fermentation (in Yeast)
lactic acid fermentation (in muscle cells under strenuous activity)
Slide 43:We see how cells co-operate and evolve into…
An Organism In Part 3…
Slide 44:ubiquitous . biology www.ubio.in