How Do Most Cell Functions Involve Chemical Reactions?
Nucleus The nucleus, being the nerve center of the cell, is the site of many intricate and essential chemical reactions. At the core of these are reactions involving DNA, the cell’s genetic material. So-called messenger RNA—a complex organic compound similar to DNA—reads and copies the codes from the DNA molecule. It is from these copied codes that cellular organelles called ribosomes synthesize protein molecules through a complex set of chemical reactions. Cell Membrane The cell membrane—or plasma membrane as it’s often called—is composed primarily of a double layer of lipids. Lipids are organic chemicals that are oily by nature. Closely associated with the cell membrane are complex protein molecules. The double layer of lipids and the protein molecules work in concert to form a selective barrier that chemically limits what materials can pass into and out of the cell. Cytoplasm The matrix of material inside the cell membrane is called cytoplasm. Cytoplasm is a biochemical medi
