Chloroplasts and Mitochondria

Explain the structure and function relationships between chloroplasts and mitochondria

Chloroplast converts sunlight into energy, and mitochondria break this energy into cell-friendly ‘food’. Chloroplasts are harvesters, mitochondria are utilizers.

Relate structural and functional evidence in chloroplasts and mitochondria to the endosymbiotic theory of their origins.

Structural Evidence: Both have their own DNA, and have a double membrane

Functional Evidence: They can move on their own without instruction from the nucleus, and also divide on their own without instruction.

Conclusion: These organelles were once prokaryotic cells that were engulfed by a eukaryote. The eukaryote decided to utilise their functions to help itself and let them be.

To learn more about these two topics, watch this video that has an strange robotic-male voice over. Truly though, this is a very informational video.

Teamwork

Explain how several internal membrane-bound organelles and other structural features (e.g., ER, ribosomes) work together to provide a specific function for the cell (e.g., synthesis of protein for export) and contribute to efficiency (e.g., increasing surface area for reactions, localization of processes).

The endomembrane system consists of the movement of material between the membranous vesicles of a cell. [Nuclear envelope, smooth and rough ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vesicles, and vacuoles]Here, the rough ER and its ribosomes work together to synthesize proteins. The information to create these proteins comes from the nucleus via the nuclear envelope. The rough ER sends these proteins to the golgi, where they are packaged and sent to various locations within the cell to be digested [lysosome], stored [vacuoles], or function within the cell membrane.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endomembrane_system

Basic Structure and Functions of Key Organelles

Describe the basic structure and functions of key cell organelles (nucleus, Golgi, ER, mitochondria, chloroplast, vacuoles, plasma membrane).

Nucleus - Houses the genetic information [DNA] of the cell. This is a circular structure usually located in the center of a cell, it is made of chromatin [tightly wound up DNA]

Golgi Apparatus - Modifies, stores, and reroutes materials sent over from the ER. This is a sort of wavy structure (which is located near the ER and nucleus) that is made of membranous sacs stacked up on top of eachother.

Endoplasmic Reticulum - Two kinds:

Smooth ER - Synthesizes lipids, metabolizes carbs, detoxifies drugs/poisons, and stores calcium ions [in Lumen]. It is more tubular than the rough ER and located throughout the cytoplasm.

Rough ER - Folds [in Lumen], assesses the quality of [also in lumen], and packages/reroutes proteins. This is a convoluted flat sac that is continuous with the nuclear membrane. Most of these are located around the nucleus as a result.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum-function.html

Mitochondria - Generates ATP and is the main power provider of a cell. This organelle has a double membrane, the inner membrane has many folds called cristae which function to produce ATP.Fun Fact: Mitochondria can trigger cell death by releasing certain enzymes.

Chloroplast - Double membraned plastid cell; this organelle is only found in plant cells and is the site of photosynthesis. It converts light energy into ATP. These organelles are green in color because of the green chlorophyll they contain, and have stacks of thylakoids that capture sunlight and convert it into usable power.

http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/plant-cells-chloroplasts-and-cell-walls-14053956

Vacuoles - These organelles are mostly storage units. They store wastes [and also dispose of wastes], excess material, proteins, pigment, and also defensive compounds. They are usually bubble-like structurally and larger in plant cells than in animal cells, to provide structure and rigidity.

Plasma Membrane - A semipermeable membrane that functions as a barrier between the inside and outside of a cell. This regulates what enters and exits the cell.

SA:V Again!

Represent graphically and explain the relationship between surface area to volume ratios as it relates to the efficiency of cellular work.

Please see ‘SA:V and its Impact’ under 2.A.3 for more details on surface area to volume ratios.
This lab information may further explain the relationship between surface area to volume ratios.

"Why don't Cells Grow Indefinitely?" Lab

[from left to right] cell with length of 4, 2, or 1 unit(s) filled with sand to measure the mass of this cell, AND to calculate the surface area

Prokaryotic v Eukaryotic

Compare and contrast the structure of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells - be sure to include a discussion regarding the cellular organization of each.

Prokaryotic cells are single-celled organisms such as bacteria. Eukaryotic cells typically make up multicellular organisms, such as plants and animals, but can also be single-celled organisms like algae. The main difference between the two is that how a prokaryotic cell stores its genetic information and its “organelles”. Eukaryotic cells have a cell membrane, membrane bound organelles, and linear DNA. Prokaryotic cells have a cell membrane, but the similarities stop there. There are no membrane bound organelles and the DNA is of the circular variety. While both cells have genetic material, this material is stored differently. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus covered by a double membrane [nuclear envelope] that regulates the movement of material in and out of the nucleus. Prokaryotic cells only have a nucleoid, a region in which all the DNA clumps together. Prokaryotic cells also lack certain organelles that only eukaryotic cells have, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi Apparatus. There are more cellular structures that are not found or rarely found within prokaryotic cells. Overall, the cellular organization of prokaryotic cells are more primitive and simplified than that of eukaryotic cells.

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/507555562901209089