Scribd
Upload
10 views12 pages

Understanding Cells and Nutrition

This document discusses the organization of cells and their role in the human body. It begins by explaining that cells originate from the food we eat and bond together to form tissues and organs. Each cell functions as a microcosm, digesting food, making proteins and energy, and reproducing. Cells communicate and transport nutrients via specialized organelles, membranes, and molecular signals. Nutrients are broken down and transported into and out of cells by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport to build and replace cells throughout the body.

Uploaded by

Rainier Raul Echipare
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views12 pages

Understanding Cells and Nutrition

This document discusses the organization of cells and their role in the human body. It begins by explaining that cells originate from the food we eat and bond together to form tissues and organs. Each cell functions as a microcosm, digesting food, making proteins and energy, and reproducing. Cells communicate and transport nutrients via specialized organelles, membranes, and molecular signals. Nutrients are broken down and transported into and out of cells by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport to build and replace cells throughout the body.

Uploaded by

Rainier Raul Echipare
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Cells & the Unity of life

You are what you eat


This is literally, biochemically TRUE Each piece of each cell in your body originated in the food that you ate

Organization of body
Atoms: the smallest units of matter
Atoms bond with each other to form molecules.

Molecules: groups of atoms bonded in specific configurations.


for example: water is H2O, carbon dioxide is CO2

Organization of body
Cells link together to form tissues Tissue: group of cells acting together to perform a common function.
Ex: muscle tissue, nerve tissue

Organ: a sophisticated organization of tissues that perform a specific function


Ex: stomach, heart, brain

Cellular basis of life


Cells are microcosms of YOU
Your individual cells do everything you do:
Drink Make food (plants) Eat Digest Harvest energy from food Grow & reproduce

Cells have specialized organelles (little organs) that perform each of these functions

Some important organelles


Nucleus: regulates cell metabolism Ribosomes: Make structural molecules & enzymes (proteins) Chloroplasts: make food (carbohydrates) Mitochondria: Harvest energy (ATP) from ingested foods Cell membrane: regulates homeostasis

Cells communicate with each other


Using Signals - hormones (proteins, fats) & ionic minerals (Na+, K+) And Receivers - Receptor proteins

Cells membrane anatomy


Cell membrane: outer layer (skin) enclosing each cell of the body.
Composed of 2 layers of phospholipid molecules Hydrophobic phospholipid tails face each other toward interior of the membrane Hydrophilic phospholipid heads line exterior surfaces of the membrane Cholesterol stiffens the membrane

Movement of Nutrients
Cell membrane is selectively permeable. Controls passage of materials into and out of the cell
Outside cell
Cell membrane

Carrier loads nutrient on outside of cell . . . Energy . . . and then releases it on inside of cell.

Carrier loads nutrient on outside of cell . . .

Inside cell

SIMPLE DIFFUSION

FACILITATED DIFFUSION

. . . and then releases it on inside of cell. ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Movement of nutrients & wastes into & out of cells typically occurs by simple diffusion or active transport.

Food molecules must be disassembled


Carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins are very large molecules Goals of eating:
Disassemble these large molecules into smaller molecules Absorb smaller molecules into bloodstream & deliver them to the cells of the body Use those molecules to build/replace cells of the body

You might also like