SA’ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY BAUCHI
DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY
SECOND SEMESTER 2024/2025
BCH 202
GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY II
By
Mubarak Idris
CELL
The cell is the structural and functional unit of life. it may
be also regarded as the basic unit of biological activity.
The first cells were observed and named by Robert Hook
In 1665 from a slice of cork.
The Cell Theory
Proposed by Matthais Schleiden and Theodor
Schwann in 1839.
i. All living organisms are made up of one or more
cells.
ii. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in
living things.
iii. All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Types of cell
The cells of the living kingdom may be divided into
two categories;
1. Prokaryotes (Greek : pro - before; karyon - nucleus)
lack a well defined nucleus and possess relatively simple
structure. These include the various bacteria.
2. Eukaryotes (Greek: Eu-true; karyon nucleus) possess a
well defined nucleus and organelles and are more
complex in their structure and function. The higher
organisms (animals and plants are composed of
eukaryotic cells.
EUKARYOTIC CELL
There are about 250 types of specialized cells in the
human body e.g. erythrocytes, nerve- cells, muscle
cells, B cells of pancreas.
The plant cell differs from an animal cell by possessing
a rigid cell wall (mostly composed of cellulose) and
chloroplasts. The latter are the site of photosynthesis
Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell
ANIMAL CELL
PLANT CELL
MAJOR CELL COMPONENTS
o Cell membrane – Controls entry/exit of substances.
o Cytoplasm – Fluid where organelles are suspended.
o Nucleus – Contains DNA; controls activities.
o Mitochondria – Produces energy (ATP).
o Ribosomes – Protein synthesis.
o ER – Rough (with ribosomes), Smooth (lipid synthesis).
o Golgi apparatus – Packages and transports proteins.
o Lysosomes – Digests waste.
o Chloroplasts – Photosynthesis (plants only).
o Cell wall – Structure and support (plants only).
CELL MEMBRANE
It’s a thin elastic outer most structure which envelops the cell.
It consists of bilipid layer with embedded proteins that are Integral Proteins
and Peripheral proteins.
Cell Types
Cells are basic units of life. Though all cells share some
common features ( constancy), they can also be very
different in structure and function (diversity).
CONSTANCY
This refers to a similar fundamental structure and
function of cell in an organisms. In other word, it
means that all cells have some features in common,
such as;
Basic functions: such as growth, reproduction,
response to stimuli and metabolism
Basic structural component: all cells have
cytoplasm, plasma membrane and genetic
material (DNA).
Energy Use: cells require and utilize energy in the form of
ATP.
Genetic code: all cells use DNA to store genetic
information and RNA to express it.
These common features are found in ALL CELLS, whether
they are plant, animal or bacterial cell.
DIVERSITY
Despite the similarities that exist in between the cells,
they greatly vary depending on their type and function
and shape. This diversity allows for specialization and
adaptation. It occur in several ways;
STRUCTURE (organism type)
Prokaryotic cells: simple cells without nucleus e.g.
Bacteria
Eukaryotic cells: complex cells with a true nucleus e.g.
plant and animal cells
FUNCTION
❖ Blood cells: for transport e.g. RBC carry O2
❖ Nerve cells: for transmission of electrical impulses.
❖ Plant cells: for photosynthesis
❖ Muscle cells: for movement and contraction
SHAPE AND SIZE
▪ Some cells are round e.g. RBC
▪ Some are long and thin e.g. nerve cells
▪ Some have special structures like cilia and flagella for
movement
IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY
❑ Facilitates adaptation to different environments e.g. heat resistant
bacterial cells, salt tolerant plant cells.
❑ Enables division of labor in multicellular organisms
❑ Supports organ and tissue specialization
❑ Cell diversity allows for intercellular communication, e.g., through
hormones and nerve impulses.
❑ Each cell type utilizes resources which includes nutrients and oxygen
differently.
PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELL
Summary
i. Cells are the basic unit of life.
ii. Cell Theory explains their role.
iii. Organelles have specialized structure and functions.
iv. Prokaryotic cells are simpler than eukaryotic cells.
v. All cells share common structures, but are diverse in form and
function.
