BIO101 - Cell Biology & Genetics Fundamentals

Prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, are generally smaller, and have circular DNA (e.g., bacteria). Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are larger, and have linear DNA (e.g., animal, plant, fungi cells).

The nucleus houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls cell growth, metabolism, and reproduction by regulating gene expression.

Mitochondria are the 'powerhouses' of the cell, responsible for cellular respiration, which generates ATP (adenosine triphosphate) by breaking down glucose.

Found in plant cells and some protists, chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose).

RER is studded with ribosomes and involved in synthesizing and modifying proteins destined for secretion or insertion into membranes. SER lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.

The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids synthesized in the ER for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Ribosomes are molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis (translation), reading mRNA sequences and assembling amino acids into polypeptide chains.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign invaders.