Golgi apparatus

Question 1

All the living cells, whether prokaryotes or the eukaryotes have a membrane that keeps a distinction between the cell contents and its surroundings. This cell covering is also referred to as the plasma membrane. This membrane is also known as the cell membrane or the plasmalemma. In bacteria and plant cells, the cell membrane is enclosed by a firm cell wall that serves the function of protecting it. However, in the animal cell, the plasma membrane is not surrounded by the rigid cell wall. The plasma membrane’s structure comprises of the carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The membrane is in the form of fluid type comprising of different types of molecules with a mosaic pattern. The molecules are positioned in a format that allows movement of substances from inside and outside the cell. The lipid layer is the main part of the plasma membrane structure. The phospholipids, cholesterol and the glycolipids are the primary form of lipids that are located in the plasma membrane (Favor, 2005).

The protein layer is another primary constituent of the plasma membrane. The proteins help in the macromolecules transportation. These are the sucrose, amino acids and the ions. These macromolecules remain implanted in the lipid layer. Carbohydrates, mainly the glycoproteins and the glycolipids also comprise the plasma membrane. They are positioned on the external surface of the cell membrane. They are attached to the proteins and the phospholipids. Therefore, the carbohydrates are located on the outer surface of the cell. The main purposes of the cell membrane include cell identification, as well as controlling the cellular transport. It allows molecules such as oxygen and nitrogen to be transported through the cell freely. In addition, it also allows the amino acids to be transported through the cell selectively. Therefore, a cell cannot exist without the functions performed by the plasma membrane since it will not be able to transport the required gasses. The cell will not also have the proteins that enable macromolecule transportation. Therefore, the cell will not survive.

Question 2

The molecular structure of the nucleoid area, prokaryotic differs with that of the nucleus, eukaryotic. The nucleus have true nucleus surrounded by a double membrane while the nucleoids have no nucleus. The nucleus purpose is to conduct the DNA functions of the eukaryotic cells to increase competence. This function is redundant in the prokaryotic cells since the cell is small. However, both the nucleus and the nucleoids have the DNA and the DNA functions. The central part of the cell is referred to as the nucleoid. However, the nucleoid is imaginary and not true as the nucleus. The DNA of the eukaryotic cells is linear while those of the prokaryotic are circular. The eukaryotic DNA is complex while the prokaryotic DNA is naked. However, both of the cells are enclosed in a plasma membrane with cytoplasm (Favor, 2005).

Question 3

The Golgi apparatus structure is made up of the cisternae. These are the flattened membrane stacks in a series ranging from five to eight. The cisternae enable the proteins to travel in the cell using the enzymes. However, the cisternae need the carbohydrates and the phosphates, which are received by the Golgi apparatus through the nucleotide sugars. The carbohydrates and the phosphates increase the functioning of the cell. The compartments located between the cis, located at the beginning of the Golgi apparatus enable the proteins to pass through the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus deal with the macromolecules that enable the cell to function efficiently. The macromolecules are processed and packaged within the cell. They are also used for secretion. In addition to this, the Golgi apparatus also transports the lipids. Without these functions, there will be no proper cell functioning (Mironov & Pavelka, 2008).

References

Favor, L. J. (2005). Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structures: Understanding cells with and without a nucleus. New York: Rosen Pub. Group.

Mironov, A. A., & Pavelka, M. (2008). The Golgi apparatus. Wien: Springer.