PSL 250 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Beta Cell, Neuroglia, Phospholipid
Document Summary
Structured organelles are surrounded by a liquid with a high protein concentration. Originally, they were thought to be unorganized - not the case. In a lab 10 mg/ml of protein in a solution would result in gunk. In cells, the typical concentration ranges from 40 mg/ml to 60 mg/ml. This is because inside all proteins are not alone, they have water surrounding them. In a solution the protein runs out" of water to have around it. In a cell, the proteins form clusters which reduce surface area, reducing the amount of water needed allowing cells to have more proteins than within a solution. Its an evolutionary advantage to be linked together, allowing them to lead from one process to another quickly. They increase the efficiency of a cell"s metabolism and act as a catalyst to quicken chemical reactions. Cells can be specialized, but because they have the same genes they have the potential to specialize into any specific cell.
