BL/CH401 Lecture 2 --

Cell Structure and Biochemistry

Cell Structure of Prokaryotes (Bacteria) and Eukaryotes (Higher Organisms)

Prokaryotes - Single cells without nucleus or other organelles
Eukaryotes - Multicellular- Nucleus, mitochondria, etc.

Bacteria - Single Chromosome - Sometimes Plasmid or Episomal DNA
Animals - Chromosomes in nucleus - Cytoplasmic DNA in mitochondria
Plants - Chromosomes in nucleus - Cytoplasmic DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts

Before looking into the components of these cellular types, a foundation in some generally important concepts applying to all cells must be established.

The "BASICS" of DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) and RNA (RiboNucleic Acid)

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DNA is genetic material of most living systems, including eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Double Stranded DNA - Only Natural Form

Chromosomes of Eukaroytes and Prokaroytes are double stranded DNA

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RNA is Single Stranded

RNA is Genetic Material in Some Viruses

RNA comes in 3 basic forms:

tRNA (transfer RNA) = adapter in protein synthesis - matches codon to amino acid

rRNA (ribosomal RNA) = structural RNA in ribosomes

mRNA (messenger RNA) = contains information for protein synthesis

Basics of the Relationship between Proteins and DNA:

Prokaryotic Cell Structure:

Ribosome Structure:

Typical Animal Cell:

Typical Cell of Plant Leaf:

Information of Genome Sequencing Projects PDF File for Printing: Genome Info

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