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Cell: Structure and Function

Principles of Cell Theory

 All living things are made up of cells (Schleiden & Schwann)
 Cells are the basic units of life (Schleiden & Schwann)
 Cells only come from pre-existing cells (Virchow)

Development of Cell Theory

Year of Scientist Contribution
Discovery
1595 Hans & Zacharias Developed the first compound microscope by combining 2
Janssen convex lenses within a tube
1665 Robert Hooke Discovered small, hollow compartments in a cork of an oak
tree - pores/cells
1676 Anton van Leeuwenhoek Observed tiny living organisms in pond water, discovered
single celled organisms - animalcules
1683 Anton van Leuuwenhoek Discovered bacteria from a sample of saliva from his mouth
1836 Theodor Schwann Stated that all animal tissues are made up of cells
1838 Matthias Schleiden Discovered that plants were made up of cells
1840 Jan Evangelista Purkinje Named the cellular content ‘protoplasm’
1855 Rudolf Virchow Suggested that all cells come from cells

Cell
 Basic structural and functional unit of life
 Simplest entity capable of carrying out life’s processes
 Can exist alone (unicellular) or as a complex organism (multicellular)
 To be composed primarily of C, H, O, N
 Contains over 60% water — homeostasis
 Major biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
 Vary in size — ranges from 0.2μm to 2mm
 Vary in shape — fixed or variable

Differences Similiarities
Prokaryotic Eukaryotic Both
“before nucleus” “true nucleus” Plasma Membrane
No nucleus With nucleus Cytoplasm
No organelles With organelles DNA
With Nucleoid Ribosomes

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cell

1. Plasma Membrane
 Structural barrier separating the cell from the outside environment
 With protective and regulatory functions
2. Cell Membrane
 Acts as a boundary
 Controls what enters and leaves cell
 Regulates chemical composition
 Maintains homeostasis
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3. Cytoplasm
 Space in the cell where most cellular activities take place
 Contains an intracellular matrix called cytosol where all other cellular components are suspended
 Organelles - membrane-bound structures in eukaryotic cells
 Inclusions - non-permanent and inactive substances/materials in the cell
4. DNA (Genetic Material)
 Blueprint of an organism
 Carries all the information necessary for the growth, development and survival of an organism
5. Ribosomes
 Small non-membrane bound structures that act as sites for protein synthesis in the cell

Prokaryotic Cell
1. Capsule - a sticky outer layer that provides protection
2. Cell wall - a structure that confers rigidity and shape to the cell
3. Plasmid - a genetic material; extrachromosomal ring of DNA
4. Nucleoid - a DNA-containing region within the cytoplasm
5. Pilus (pili) - a hair-like appendage that functions in adhesion
6. Flagellum - facilitates movement of bacteria

Organelles (Little Organs)

 Membrane-bound structures performing a specific function in eukaryotic cells
 Distribution of work in the cell — maximizes time and space

Organelles Structure Function

Nucleus  Double-membraned structure with  Directs RNA and protein synthesis
nuclear pores that connect the  Stores the genetic information
nuclear components to the cytoplasm (DNA)
 Control center of the cell
Nucleolus  Spherical organelle within the  Assembles ribosomes
nucleus
Endoplasmic  Network of internal membranes  Compartmentalizes the cell
Reticulum  Divided into two regions: rough ER creating a greater surface area for
(with ribosomes) and smooth ER cellular processes
(without ribosomes)  Serves in the transport of cellular
products via the formation of
vesicles
Golgi Bodies  Stacks of flattened membranous  Modifies and packages cellular
sacs called cisternae products
 Cis face - accepts incoming transport
vesicles from the ER
 Trans face - releases secretory
vesicles containing the finished
product

Lysosome  Small spherical bodies containing  Digests macromolecules, cellular

digestive or acidic hydrolytic debris, old organelles and foreign
enzymes substances
Peroxisome  Small spherical bodies containing  Neutralizes toxic substances and
oxidase enzymes breaks down fatty acids
Vesicles  Membrane-bound sacs  Store and transport substances
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Vacuole  Membrane-bound sacs  Store water, enzymes, pigments,
 In animals, many but small in size waste products
 In plants, one big central vacuole

Mitochondrion  Hotdog-shaped structure with smooth  Produces ATP (aerobic

outer membrane, folded inner respiration)
membrane and many respiratory
enzymes
 Intermembrane space separates the
outer and inner membranes
 Folds of the inner membrane are
called cristae
 Matrix is the space within the inner
membrane
Chloroplast  Double-membraned, green oval  Facilitate food production in
structure with stacks of sac-like photosynthetic organisms
structures within
 Thylakoid refers to the sac-like
structure containing pigments such
as chlorophyll and carotenoids
 Thylakoids stack together to form a
granum
Cytoskeleton  Network of protein filaments including  Provides structural support and
microfilaments, intermediate  Movement (in some) to the cell
filaments, microtubules
 Cilia and flagella - motility
 Centriole - anchor and assemble
 Spindle fibers in animal mitosis

Cell Wall  Rigid structure in plants and  Provides structural support to the
members of the kingdom fungi made cell
up of cellulose or chitin, respectively

Animal Cell Plant Cell