Cell transport

Today, we had our second "college-style" lecture.  I discussed four types of cell transport:

• Simple Diffusion
• Facilitated Diffusion
• Active Transport
• Endocytosis / Exocytosis

All these types of cellular transport are dependent on the wacky, weird fluid mosaic nature of the membrane - that it is both a solid barrier and a fluid, bendable, mendable, breakable substance.

By popular demand, I have posted the Powerpoint as a PDF.  You can find it here: Cell Transport Lecture

I have also gone back to my post about the Endomembrane System and posted the Powerpoint.  You can now find all Powerpoints by clicking on the "Lecture Notes" label in the buckets app at the right side of the blog.

Homework

For homework, consult textbook pages 92-95 in order to do you assessment statements based on the lecture.  You should be able to complete 2.4.5-2.4.8.

NOTE: All classes meet in the lab tomorrow.  Report directly to lab!

Our cells "inner skin"

Today, we learned about the endomembrane system, a network of "inner skins" that organize the cell and manage the production and secretion of sensitive chemical substances such as hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, and other proteins.

For review, here is the helpful animation I showed in class: Tutorial of the Endomembrane System.

[UPDATE 10/1: I have added the Lecture notes.  They can be found here: Endomembrane System Lecture]

Homework
Continue to work on your assessment statements, particularly 2.4.7, which is largely based on today's lecture.  You may refer to textbook pages 70-73 for more information.

All pictures are from real electron microscopy of cells (mostly liver cells).  It might be advantageous to follow the lead set by James in R4 by printing the micrographs and pasting them directly into your notebook.  In your class journal, identify the structures and state evidence for why you think it is that structure.  In other words, be thoughtful: how do you know?

1. What structure is shown below?  How do you know?

2. What structure is shown below?  How do you know?

3.  Five structures are labeled in the diagram below.  Identify them and state evidence. [9/24: Note - I updated this with the labeled micrograph in order to alleviate some of the confusion we had in class in annotating the diagram.  The questionable organelle IV was in fact the rER.]