Compartmentalisation And Origin

Unit: Cell structure and function

Chapter: Compartmentalisation and its origin

Reference: Compartmentalization, Prokaryotic and eukaryotic compartmentalisation, Compartmentalization in prokaryotic cell

Compartmentalization of eukaryotic cell, Advantages of the compartmentalization of cells, Benefits of compartmentalization in prokaryotic cells, Origin of compartmentalization

 

Learning objectives

  • To understand about compartmentalization of cell
  • To identify the advantages and origin of compartmentalization

Compartmentalization

Cellular compartments in cell biology refer to all the closed regions of a eukaryotic cell's cytoplasm that are normally covered by a single or double lipid layer membrane. The process of forming cellular compartments is known as compartmentalization.

Both organelles, the mitochondria, and chloroplasts (in photosynthetic organisms), are compartments that are believed to be of endosymbiotic origin. Other compartments such as peroxisomes, lysosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, the cell nucleus, or the Golgi apparatus are not of endosymbiotic origin.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic compartmentalisation

  • Eukaryotic cells are typified by the presence of intracellular organelles that compartmentalize essential biochemical reactions
  • whereas their prokaryotic counterparts generally lack such sophisticated sub-specialization of the cytoplasmic space.

Compartmentalization in prokaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cells may compartmentalize distinct sections of their cytoplasm, utilizing proteins to complete anabolic and catabolic events in separate places, in addition to creating a chamber around themselves in the periplasmic space.

Compartmentalization of eukaryotic cell

  • Eukaryotic cells contain intracellular membranes that enclose nearly half the cell's total volume in separate intracellular compartments called organelles.
  • In eukaryotic cells, compartmentalization is created using a series of internal membranes. These membranes surround the nucleus, create the folds of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex, and surround organelles like chloroplasts and mitochondria.

Advantages of the compartmentalization of cells

  • Compartmentalisation in eukaryotic cells are enzymes and substrates are not spread throughout the entire cytoplasm. They are in precise places in unique organelles.
  • Dangerous materials are kept away by the membranes that surround the organelles.
  • Compartmentalization allows eukaryotic cells to perform otherwise incompatible chemical reactions simultaneously.
  • It also increases the surface area of the cell membranes, which are necessary for obtaining nutrients and excreting waste.

Benefits of compartmentalization in prokaryotic cells

Compartmentalization increases the efficiency of many subcellular processes by concentrating the required components to a confined space within the cell.

Origin of compartmentalization

Membrane-bound organelles evolved from once free-living prokaryotic cells via endosymbiosis. Prokaryotes generally lack internal membrane-bound organelles but have internal regions with specialized structures and functions. Eukaryotic cells maintain internal membranes that partition the cell into specialized regions.

Solved examples

Example 1. Which of the following observations best supports the claim that mitochondria evolved from once-free-living prokaryotic cells by the process of endocytosis?

a) Mitochondria produce ATP

b) Mitochondria contain proteins

c) Mitochondria exchange substances with the cytosol.

d) Mitochondria are surrounded by a double membrane.

Solution 1: d) Mitochondria are surrounded by a double membrane.

Example 2. Why are organelles not in one big compartment?

a) Organelles are too small

b) They would crash and destroy other organelles

c) So, organelles can specialize

d) To have specialized environments

Solution 2: c. Organelles are not present in one big compartment so that they can specialize and perform specific function.                                         

                                            Summary

  • The process of forming cellular compartments is known as compartmentalization.
  • Eukaryotic cells contain intracellular membranes that enclose nearly half the cell's total volume in separate intracellular compartments called organelles.
  • Membrane-bound organelles evolved from once free-living prokaryotic cells via endosymbiosis.
  • Compartmentalization increases the efficiency of many subcellular processes by concentrating the required components to a confined space within the cell.

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