Metabolism Of Lipids

Metabolism Of Lipids

Living cells are always categorized into two specific types of cells which are the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The entanglement of a structure is the only major difference between the two. It is this structure that will drive its function and this structure which will account for the boundless assortment of life.

This week I will be discussing the bacterial cells: Plasma membrane and the Ribosome along with organelles: Golgi apparatus and Mitochondria.

Plasma membranePlasma membrane is also referred to as Cytoplasmic membrane.

Physical aspect: A Plasma membrane looks like big plastic bag with tiny holes. The holes are there to let some things flow inward and some things to flow outward. The Plasma membrane stores all the fluids and cell parts inside the membrane and keeps anything of harm out.

Composition: The Plasma membrane is not a solid piece; it is actually made up of pieces called phospholipids and proteins. The composition is made up of a percentage of 40 and a percentage of 60 in lipids and proteins respectively. The lipids are what make up this “bag” and the proteins usually hang out around the “holes” to perform the processes that allow molecules in and out. The way the proteins and lipids are arranged is called the fluid mosaic model. In that model are phospholipids that look like heads and tails. The heads like water and the tails do not. The tails rub against each other and the heads face outward toward the watery area surrounding the cell. The two layers are called the bilayer. The proteins float inside the bilayer. Some are inside and some are outside the cell itself, while even more pass through with ends inside and out simultaneously. The proteins that pass through are part of active transport of molecules and ions.

Survival? These structures allow bacterial cells to survive with active transport, which means cells are used for transportation. Cells must maintain a proper balance of ions and molecules. Active transport usually happens across the cell membrane. The proteins that are inside the bilayer do most of the work in this process. They are special in that they will only transport one specific item, so a protein that specializes in movement of calcium will not specialize in the movement of glucose. So in the end, transportations of sugars along with amino acids are moved to the bacterium to provide nutritional value.

RibosomesPhysical Aspect: Ribosomes are complex, bead like structures in which they look like they were strung together.

Composition: Found singly or in groups attached to the ER or in the cytoplasm. The Ribosome is also not one piece; it is made up of two pieces, called subunits. Both subunits are made of four strands of RNA and proteins. There are a structural percentage of 40 and 60 of protein and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the ribosome respectively.

Survival? These structures need protein to survive. Protein must be made. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is made in the nucleus and sent inside the cell and then mixes with ...