Cell Structure
& Function
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html
Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of
cells.
• Cells are the smallest working
units of all living things.
• All cells come from preexisting
cells through cell division.
DISCOVERY OF THE CELL
• ROBERT
HOOKE in 1665
• Cells looked
similar to
cellulae (Latin) /
small rooms
which monks
inhabited
• ANTON VAN
LEEUWENHOEK
was the first man to
witness a live cell
under a microscope
• He discovered small
organisms he called
“animalcules” (little
animals) – protists
Definition of Cell
• A cell is the basic unit of life
that is capable of performing life functions.
• Cells are the fundamental structural unit of
which all life is built.
• Each cell has the ability to use and store
chemical energy and reproduce.
• Cells vary greatly in size, shape and general
forms.
• Cells exhibit unique characteristic features.
• They posses these special stuctural
characteristics in relation to the functions
they perform.
Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus
Plant Stem
Bacteria
Red Blood Cell
Nerve Cell
Two Types of Cells
•Prokaryotic
•Eukaryotic
• They are the simplest
form of life Prokaryotic
• No nucleus
• The do not have
structures surrounded
by membranes (
organelles)
• Few internal
structures
• They are
unicellular_(one
celled organisms),
bacteria
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/prokaryotic_cells.html
Eukaryotes
• Are the most complex form of life
• They have nucleus
• Contain organelles surrounded by
membranes
• They are multicellular organisms
(composed of many cells).
• Most living organisms
• Examples: animals and plants
Common characteristics:
• All cells are surrounded by a
barrier called the cell
membrane.
• They contain the molecule that
carries biological information
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Eukaryotic
Plant Animal
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/eukaryotic_cells.html
“Typical” Animal Cell
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif
“Typical” Plant Cell
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
Difference between animal & plant cells
Parts of the Cell
(organelles)
THREE BASIC STRUCTURES
• CELL MEMBRANE/PLASMA
MEMBRANE – outer boundary of
the cell
• CYTOPLASM – the material
between cell membrane and
nucleus
• NUCLEUS – control center of the
cell
I. CELL MEMBRANE/PLASMA
MEMBRANE
The cell membrane function
as:
• The boundary between the
cell and external
environment
• As a structure that
controls the movement of
substances in and out of
the cell.
Cell Wall
• Most commonly found
in plant cells &
bacteria
• Supports & protects
cells
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
II. CYTOPLASM
• “site of chemical reactions”
• It is found inside the cell
membrane surrounding the
nucleus. It is where most life
processes occur.
• It is made up of fluid like
substance where organelles are
located.
Some organelles found in the
cytoplasm:
• MITOCHONDRIA – is the
“powerhouse” of the cell
• sites of chemical reactions that
transfer energy from organic
compounds to Adenosine
Triphosphate(ATP) main
energy source for cells
• It converts food molecules into energy. The
energy produced is important for the vital
activities of the cell such as growth &
reproduction
• RIBOSOMES – “protein factories”
• involved in the production of proteins, a
process called protein synthesis
• Each cell contains thousands of
ribosomes
• ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM -- are
folded membrane that divide the cell
into compartments
• They serve as channels through
which materials are transported in the
cell
-- Types:
• Rough ER – covered with ribosomes
• Smooth ER – no ribosmes
Rough ER – manufactures proteins
that will be secreted from the cell
Smooth ER - functions depends on
cell type but includes tasks such as
detoxifying harmful substances and
synthesizing lipids.
• GOLGI APPARATUS –
“packaging center”
• serves as the packaging factories
of the cell
• LYSOSOMES – “Suicidal sacs”
• are spherical sacs that contain powerful
digestive enzymes. They destroy bacteria
and other microorganisms that invade the
cell
• Rare in plant cell
• PLASTIDS – are energy converters.
They harvest solar energy and produce
food in the process of photosynthesis.
• Chloroplasts – usually found in plant cells
- contains green chlorophyll
- photosynthesis takes place
• VACUOLES – for the storage of
food, enzymes, and other materials
needed by cell. Plant cell contains
cell sap.
• VESICLES – carry substances in
and out of the cell like food
particles
• MICROTUBULES – provide
support and movement to the cell
• CYTOSKELETON – maintains the
shape and size of the cell
• Major components:
Microfilaments – threads made of
actin(protein)
Microtubules – largest strands that
are hollow tubes
- help the cell divide by
forming spindle fibers that extend
across the cell
III. NUCLEUS
• It controls all the
activities of the
cell
• Contains genetic
material – DNA
(deoxyribose
nucleic acid)
Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to
build proteins
• Site where
ribosome are
synthesized
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Activity time !
