GENERAL BIOLOGY I

12
FIRST QUARTER

Module 1

Let’s CELL-ebrate
Life

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Explain the postulates of the cell theory;

Describe the structure and function of major and

subcellular organelles (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-2)

 To the Learners
As we aim to make distance learning seamless and effective, here are some rules and
tips to maximize learning and productivity in a new normal setup.
1. Establish a routine. Set up a timetable to plan and schedule your task.
2. Find a comfortable workspace. Choose a specific place in your house that is free from
distractions, this will keep you focused and increases productivity.
3. Get yourself prepared. Prior to starting your modules, make sure everything is ready and
organized. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this
module.
4. Self – care. Avoid feeling tired. Get up occasionally to take short breaks to either grab a snack
or close your eyes while taking deep breaths. Keep your mindset in check.
5. Ask questions. If there are items in the module that you cannot understand, do not hesitate
to post your queries.
6. Reflect and practice. Analyze posttests and create a personal conclusion of the lesson.

Expectations
In this module, you will establish understanding of cell theory, cell structure and functions.

Specifically, this module helps you to:

 enumerate and explain the postulates of the cell theory (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1);
 describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles
(STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-2).

Pre-Test
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank
provided before the number.
____1. Structures in the living world are organized in hierarchical levels. The cellular level
serves to be the lowest. What level is next to cellular level?
A. cell C. organ
B. tissue D. system
____2. Which instrument is essential in the development of cell theory?
A. spectrogram C. telescopes
B. caliper D. microscopes
____3. Who was the first scientist to see cells under the microscope, and coined the term
CELL?
A. Theodor Schwann C. Robert Hooke
B. Matthias Schleiden D. Anton van Leeuwenhoek
____4. What structure serves as the outer boundary of the cell?
A. cytoplasm C. cell membrane
B. nucleus D. flagella
____5. Which of the following is NOT a component of cell theory?
A. All living things are composed of one or more cells.
B. Cell is the basic unit of life.
C. All cells are membrane bound.
D. All cells came from pre-existing cells. 1
 Looking Back
Directions: Have you tried to look closely at something? Get an egg from your kitchen. Closely
look and examine the egg. Such curiosity led early scientist in the discovery of cell.
Let us compare: Structurally, how is an egg like a cell?

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Brief Introduction
Every single structure in the living world is categorized in hierarchical levels. The cellular
level serves to be the lowest in this level. Basically, cell is the fundamental structural unit of life.
All living things are made up of cell. Each of which is about five thousandth of a millimeter.
Extremely little, that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Despite of its miniscule size, cells are
responsible for all the minor and major functioning of all living organism.
Our understanding of nature often goes hand in hand with the invention and refinement of
instruments that extend human senses.
Before microscopes were first used in the 17th century, no one knew that living organisms
were composed of cells. The first microscopes are like the ones you use in the laboratory.
Around 1590, Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope. It was believed
that Zacharias probably had help from his father, Hans, because he was still young back then.
They made this microscope by placing several lenses together and discovered that objects
were further enlarged upon viewing. The visible light is passed through a specimen, and through
glass lenses. The lenses bend the light in a manner that the image is enhanced.

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 Activity 1 UNVEILING HISTORY

Objective: Enumerate and explain the postulates of cell theory.

Procedure: Study the timeline and analyze the conceptualization of cell theory.

1665
Robert Hooke
published his book
Micrographia,
which contains his
drawings of a 1839
section of cork, as Theodor Schwann
seen through one 1683
Leeuwenhoek concluded that all
of the first
discovered animals are made
microscopes.
bacteria. up of cells.

1700 1800
1600 1900

1855
1674 1838 Rudolf
Anton van
Matthias Virchow
Leeuwenhoek proposed that
Schleiden
observed tiny all cells come
concluded that
living from existing
all plants are
organisms in cells,
made up of completing
drops of pond
cells. the cell
water through
theory.
his simple
microscopes.

Cell Theory Timeline

Guide Question:
1. From the timeline presented, what three statements best describe cell theory? Explain
each postulate.
2. How did the invention of microscope contribute to the discovery of cells?
3. If the above scientists did not pursue their works and shared their contributions to the
world, do you think the idea that “all organisms are made up of cells”, would exist?
Justify your answer.

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 Activity 2

Objective: Describe and identify the functions of the basic structures of the cell.

Cells differ in size and shape; most of them have basic structures. The cell

structure comprises individual components with specific functions essential to carry out life's

processes. The cells of animals, plants, and related organisms have three basic structures:

Cell membrane
1. Cell Membrane – is the outer boundary

of the cell. Phospholipid bilayer; Semi-

permeable, that it controls what

goes in and out of the cell.

2. Nucleus – houses DNA and directs

synthesis of ribosomes and proteins.

3. Cytoplasm - provides structure to the

cytoplasm
cell, site of many metabolic reactions; medium nucleus

which organelles are found. Figure 1. Basic structure of a cell

Quick Lab:

Procedure: Make a model of cytoplasm.

1. Fill a jar/wide-mouthed bottle with water.

2. Add unflavored gulaman and stir.
3. Shine a light through the jar/bottle for 3 minutes.

Guide Questions:

1. Describe what you have observed upon flashing the light to the jar/bottle.

2. How would you compare the gulaman to the cytoplasm?

3. What do you think would happen if there is no existing cytoplasm inside the

cell?

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 Activity 3
Objective: Distinguish and categorize the functions of the subcellular structures.

The cell contains different

ORGANELLE FUNCTION/S parts which acts as small organs,
called organelles, that needs to
 Phospholipid bilayer. Separates cell
from external environment; controls
Plasma Membrane
passage of organic molecules, ions, execute specific function and
(L)
water, oxygen, and wastes into and out
of the cell (semipermeable) processes. Cell is made-up of
 Enclosed within the cell membrane;
Cytoplasm provides structure to cell; site of many communication network of organelles.
(K) metabolic reactions. It contains cytosol
where organelles are suspended These organelles communicate with
 Creates ribosomes, the site of
Nucleolus
rRNA transcription and processing, and
(D)
of ribosome assembly each other in order to carry out cellular
 Cell organelle that houses DNA and
Nucleus directs synthesis of ribosomes and activities.
(A) proteins. It is where genetic processes
take place
Nuclear Envelope  Boundary of the nucleus; composed of
(C) outer and inner nuclear membranes
Nuclear Pore  Passage of the substances that move in
(B) and out of the nucleus
 Combination of DNA and protein. Each
Chromatin
strand further condenses to form
(E)
chromosomes during cell division
Ribosomes
(N)  Assembly of proteins for synthesis
Lysosome  Digest food; recycles old components of
(G) the cell and kills invading microorganism
Mitochondrion
 ATP production/cellular respiration
(H)
Vesicles and vacuoles  Storage and transport; digestive
(I) function in plant cells
Centrioles  Help in the separation and transfer of the
(J) replicated genetic materials in the cells
Smooth ER  Detoxifies the cell of certain substances;
(F) produces lipids
Rough ER
 Produces proteins
(M)
Golgi Apparatus  Modifies, sorts, tags, packages, and
(O) distributes lipids and proteins Figure 2. Parts of an Animal cell
 Appendages responsible for the
Cilia and Flagella locomotion of the cell
(P)  Filters dirt and harmful microorganisms

Directions: Design and create a 3D model of an animal

cell using recyclable materials. All parts should be

C.M.P. labelled clearly. Make sure that all organelles are

accurately presented. Functions of each organelle
(Cell Model Project)
should be provided and indicated in your model. BE
UNIQUE AND CREATIVE!

Guide Question:

1. Based from table, assess which of the following organelle is being described?

A. Power generator C. Suicide Bag E. Production line

B. Command Center D. Loading Duck F. Warehouse

2. Why is a cell often compared to a city?

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 Remember
As stated in the postulates of cell theory, both plants and animals are made up of cells. Each
of them has organelles that carry out cellular processes. The organelles of a plant cell and their
functions are almost similar to those found in animal cells (refer to activity 1). Thus, there are only
few organelles that can be exclusively seen in a plant cell for they have specialized functions.

ORGANELLE FUNCTION/S

 Located outside the cell

membrane and is
primarily made of
Cell Wall cellulose
 Maintains the shape and
protects the plant cell
 Substances inside the
chloroplast help a green
plant cell trap the sun’s
energy and then produce
food.
 Contains chlorophyll,
Chloroplast which is the green
pigment responsible for
capturing light during
photosynthesis
 The lumen is the space
inside the thylakoid
 Maintains the turgor
Central Vacuole pressure to keep the
Figure 3. Parts of a Plant Cell plant cell from wilting
 Traverse the cell walls of
plant cells and some
algal cells, enabling
Plasmodesmata
Chloroplasts convert solar energy to transport and
communication between
chemical energy. Most of the living world runs them
 Converts fatty acids to
on the energy provided by photosynthesis, sugar and assisting
Peroxisome
chloroplasts in
which is the conversion of light energy from the photorespiration

sun to the chemical energy of sugar molecules. It is also enclosed by an inner and outer
membrane separated by a thin
intermembrane space. The compartment
interior the inmost membrane holds a
tenacious fluid called stroma, which
carries chloroplast DNA and ribosomes.
Thylakoids are network of interconnected
sacs inside the chloroplast and these are
stacked like poker chips; each stack is
called granum. It is known to be the solar
power sac of the chloroplast. The site
where the green chlorophyll traps solar
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Features_of_a_chloroplast.jpg energy.
Figure 4. Parts of Chloroplast
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 Check Your Understanding

PICTURE ANALYSIS

Directions: Write your answers on a separate paper to be attached in this module.

1. Describe the condition of the plant?
2. What is the role of the environment in the state of the plant?
3. Correlate the function of the central vacuole in maintaining the healthy state of
a plant.
4. When the turgor pressure decreases, what happens to the plant? Explain your
answer.
5. Analyze what will happen to the plant if the central vacuole will lose too much
water?
6. What general function do chloroplast and mitochondrion have in common?

Post-Test
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank
provided before the number.

____1. Which characteristic of the cell membrane is described as the capacity to regulate what
goes in and out of the cell?
A. high permeability C. permeability
B. selective permeability D. none permeability
____2. Which of the following statements is always TRUE?
A. All cells have cell wall. C. All cells contain a chloroplast.
B. All cells contain nucleus. D. All cells have cell membrane.
____3. Cell membranes are constructed mainly of _________________________.
A. lipid bilayer C. calcium ions
B. protein pump D. carbohydrate gates
____4. How do cells arise from pre-existing cells?
A. through reproduction C. through metabolism
B. through adaptation D. through growth and reproduction
____5. Which of the following is NOT a component of cell theory?
A. All living things are composed of one or more cells.
B. Cell is the basic unit of life.
C. All cells are membrane bound.
D. All cells came from pre-existing cells. 7
 Reflection

Direction: Reflect on the situations given below. Share your plan of actions and insights on the
following scenario.

SCENARIO 1:
Your father’s friend is a chain smoker, but your friend seems to be untroubled about this.
You are fully aware on the effects of cigarette smoking to the respiratory system. What is
your plan of action?

SCENARIO 2:

Ms. Aumentado mentioned in her biology class that an animal cell contains about 10 to
20 Golgi bodies, while a plant cell contains several hundreds. If you will be called to give
an explanation to this, how would you explicate the difference in such number for each
cell.

SCENARIO 3:

Mr. Mark Cruz is one of our volunteer barangay sweeper. I noticed that despite of daily
exposure to dust, smoke and even bacteria and viruses, he never showed signs and
symptoms of allergies such as sneezing and coughing. How come all of these did not
accumulate in his lungs nor clog his air passages? State your assessment and rationalize
your answer.

SCENARIO 4:

"People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating, we seek
to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active state, an act of expressing
reverence or appreciation. To be entertained is a passive state - it is to receive pleasure
afforded by an amusing act or a spectacle... Celebration is a confrontation, giving
attention to the transcendent meaning of one's actions." Abraham Joshua Heschel
In reference to the module title, the excerpt above depicts celebration. How do you

celebrate life amidst of the current situation?

You have done well in accomplishing all the tasks in this module.
CONGRATULATIONS! You can now CELL–ebrate…