Cell

At the end of this lesson…

Explain the postulates of the cell
theory
Describe the structure and
function of major and subcellular
organelles
Show appreciation of biologists’
works
The Cell as the Fundamental
Unit of Life: The Structure
and Function of Cellular
Organelles
 Important events
in the discovery of
the cell and the
development of
the cell theory…..
1665 – Robert Hooke
Observed cells in cork.
Coined the term "cells”.
 1673- Anton van
Leeuwenhoek
l Created a powerful
microscope
 1827-33 - Robert Brown
-noticed that pollen
grains in water
jiggled around
called “Brownian
motion”
-discovered the
nucleus
1838 - Matthias Schleiden
A botanist who concluded that all plants are made of
cells.

Typical Plant Cell

1839 - Theodor Schwann
A zoologist who concluded that
all animals are made of cells.

Nerve Cells
 1855 - Rudolph Virchow
A physician who
did research on
cancer cells and
concluded
“Omnis cellula e
cellula”.
“All cells are from
other pre-existing
cells.”
• The cell is the smallest unit of
life.
• All organisms are composed one
or more cells.
• New cells arise from previously
existing cells.
EachBasic Cell
cell has Structure
four common
components:
1.Plasma membrane
2.Region containing DNA
3.Cytoplasm
4.Biochemical molecules &
biochemical pathways
 Cells
Two fundamental types:
Prokaryotic
No Nucleus
No organelles
Small 100nm-5um
Eukaryotic
True Nucleus
Membrane bound
organelles
10-100um
Some are larger
Three Lineages of Life:
Kingdom Domain Bacteria
Eubacteria
Eu- Archae- Protista Plantae Fungi Animalia
bacteria bacteria

Prokaryotes:
• No true nucleus
• No membrane-bound organelles
Cell Wall composed of peptidoglycan
Reproduce asexually by budding and fission
Very small (1 - 10 µm)
 Kingdom Archaebacteria
Eu- Archae- Protista Plantae Fungi Animalia
bacteria bacteria

Eukaria
Prokaryotes:
No true nucleus
No membrane-bound organelles like
mitochondria or chloroplasts
NO peptidoglycan in cell wall
Reproduce asexually by budding and fission
Very small (1 - 10 µm)
“Extreme” environments (high temperatures)
Prokaryotic
Cells
 Eukaryotes
Eu- Archae- Protista Plantae Fungi Animalia
bacteria bacteria

Eukaryotes:
True nucleus
Membrane-bound organelles
Cell size generally 10 - 100 µm
At least 4 lineages:
Protista, Plantae, Fungi, Animalia
Eukaryotic Cells

Typical Animal
Cell
 Structure and
Function of Major
and
Subcellular
Organelles
Cell Structures
for Protection
 Plasma Membrane/Cell
Membrane
Separates an individual cell
from external environment
Controls the passage of
needed materials into and
out of the cell
 Structure of
phospholipid bilayer
 Structure of the Cell Membrane

Phospholipids
Most abundant lipid
Polar/hydrophilic head(attracted to water)
Pair of nonpolar/hydrophobic tails(repelled by water)
 Hydrophilic
head

Hydrophobic
tails
Phospholipid bilayer:
- Polar heads, outside & inside
- Nonpolar tails in the interior
- Cell Membranes
Various Structures
Embedded in Phospholipid
Bilayer
Cholesterol molecules help
strengthen the cell membrane
making it more flexible but less
fluid, making the less permeable
to water-soluble substances such
as ions or simple sugars.
Carbohydrates attached to
membrane proteins serve as
identification tags, enabling
cells to distinguish one type of
cell from another
 Membrane Proteins
Transport proteins – extend through
one or both phospholipid layers and
help materials cross the membrane
Channel proteins – form tunnels that
help cells to import or export needed
materials and wastes
Cell recognition proteins – cells
distinguish own cells from that of other
organisms such as pathogen (disease-
causing microorganism)
Enzymatic proteins- participate in
metabolic reactions such as degradative
and synthetic reactions
Cytoskeleton proteins – act as muscle
and skeleton to maintain cell shape and
motility
Junction proteins – assist cell
to cell adhesion and
communication between cells
Receptor proteins – facilitate
exchange of signals with other
cells by changing shape to
allow a specific molecule, the
ligand to bind it
Interactions of various
membrane proteins
establish connections and
cell to cell communication
 Fluid Mosaic Model
Cell membrane is said to be flexible and
not rigid like a fluid
Proteins in the membrane stay in their
specific areas
Variety of molecules scattered along the
membrane provides variety of different
textures and patterns making up a
mosaic
Cell Walls
A layer that gives protection,
rigid support, and shape to
the cell
Present in plants
Varies in composition and
related to the different needs
of each type of organism
 Cell Wall
In plants and algae – polysaccharide
cellulose
In fungi – cell walls are made of chitin
In bacteria – cell walls are made of
peptidoglycan (polymer consisting of
sugars and amino acids that forms a
mesh-like layer outside the plasma
membrane of most bacteria, forming the
cell wall)
 Cytoplasm
Fills the space between the nucleus and
the cell membrane
Where different organelles are
embedded
Contains cytosol, a fluid portion
consisting mainly of water
Cytoplasm
Genetic Control
Organelles
 Nucleus
Storehouse of genetic
information in the form of DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) inside
the cells
Nuclear envelope- encloses the
DNA
Nuclear pores – allow large
molecules to pass between the
nucleus and the cytoplasm
Nucleolus – dense region
where small organelles
essential for making proteins
are assembled
 Manufacturing,
Storage, Distribution,
and Breakdown
Organelles
(Endomembrane
System)
Rough and
Smooth ER
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Interconnected network of thin
and folded membranes
Due to size, the ER membranes
are arranged like a maze of
enclosed spaces with creases
and folds
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Lumen- interior part of ER and
site of many processes like
production of proteins and lipids
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
With the presence ribosomes in the
surface
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
•Surfaces of the ER that are not
studded with ribosomes

•Responsible for the production of

lipids and other functions like breaking
drugs and alcohol
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Facilitates the manufacturing

of essential products in the
body such as proteins in the
rough ER and lipid synthesis
in the smooth ER
Golgi Apparatus/Golgi Complex
Layered stacks of membrane-enclosed
spaces
Receives substances
from ER, refines and
packages them
Golgi Apparatus/Golgi Complex

Finished products are

packaged in this organelle
Some are stored,
transported to other
organelles or are carried to
the membrane for secretion
 Ribosomes
Synthesize proteins as directed
in the messenger RNA
Organelles that help produce
proteins with many different
functions in the body
Can be found within the
cytoplasm or the endoplasmic
reticulum.
 Vesicles
Small, membrane-bound sacs
that encloses the protein when
being transported to Golgi
apparatus
Categorized as storage
vesicles, transport vesicles or
secretory vesicles
Vesicles
 Vesicles
Generally short – lived and
are formed and recycled as
needed by the cell
Some developed into
lysosome and vacuoles
 Vacuoles
Fluid-filled sac for the
storage of materials needed
by the cell like water, food
molecules, inorganic ions,
and enzymes
Vacuoles
 Vacuoles
Central vacuoles in plants may also
contain other substances like:
- toxins that would harm predators
and protect the plant
- waste products that may harm
cell itself
- pigments that give colors to cells
 Vacuoles
Central vacuole’s ability to store
water contributes greatly to the
plant’s overall appearance
 Lysosome
Round-shaped, membrane-bound
structures containing chemicals that
can break down materials in the cell
Contain powerful enzymes
lyzozyme that defends a cell from
invading bacteria and viruses
Breaks down damaged or worn-out
cell parts
Lysosome Function
Key
organelles
in
digestion
and
removal of
wastes
inside the
cell
 Peroxisomes
Exist as small vesicles around
the cell
Surrounded by a single
membrane containing digestive
enzymes for breaking down
toxic materials
Carry oxidative enzymes
 Peroxisomes
Peroxisome’s enzymes break
down complex molecules into
smaller molecules like alcohol
What organ in our contains a lot
of peroxisomes?
Endomembrane System
Instructions from the nucleus
pass out through nuclear pores
Endoplasmic reticulum

Transport vesicles travel from

ER to Golgi apparatus then to
other destinations
Liver
Energy-Processing
Organelles
 Mitochondria
Bean-shaped, contain two
membranes that supply energy
to the cell
The inner membrane has many
folds and compartments where
series of chemical reactions
convert molecules from food we
eat into usable energy
 Mitochondria
Contain own ribosomes and
DNA suggesting that they
were originally free-living
prokaryotes
 Chloroplast
Organelles that help a plant
convert solar energy to
chemical energy
Carry out photosynthesis
Chloroplasts contain…
Stroma – liquid portion in the
chloroplast
Thylakoids arranged into
stacks called grana thylakoids
that contain chlorophyll
 Chlorophyll
A light – absorbing molecule that gives
plants their green color and plays role in
photosynthesis
Chloroplasts
Considering the parts of cell below,
make an analogy of their
structures/functions in your home.
nucleus
cell wall/plasma membrane
lytoplasm
mitochodria
lysosome
vacuole
ER
Golgi apparatus
 Organelles for
Structural Support,
Movement, and
Communication
between Cells
 Centrosome
Small dense region of
cytoplasm that serves as the
main microtubule organizing
center where microtubules are
organized and assembled.
 Centrioles
Cylinder-shaped organelles
made of 9 triplets of short
microtubules arranged in a
ring.
Centrosomes and centrioles
play role during cell division
Centrioles organize
microtubules to form cilia
and flagella (used by cell
for locomotion)
 Cilia and Flagella
Locomotory projections in
eukaryotes
Allow cell to move
With structural composition
containing 9 microtubule
doublets arranged in 9+2
pattern
 Cilia
Look like little hairs that
move in coordinated fashion
 Flagella
Look like a whip or tail
Cilia & Flagella

0.1 micrometer
Flagellum
Ciliated Epithelium
Ciliary Movement
Cytoskeleton
 Cytoskeleton
Flexible network of framework,
made up of small protein
subunit forming long threads or
fibers providing sturdy
mechanical support
 3 Flexible
Networks of
Proteins in
Cytoskeleton
 Microtubules
• Polymers of tubulin, they help with cell
transport.
• Long and thickest filaments
• Act as tracks for the movement of
vesicles and other cell components.
• Form permanent structures like whiplike
flagellum
Intermediate Filaments
Smaller in microtubules and
ropelike in appearance
Give tensile strength and ability
to stretch without breaking apart
Important in ensuring the
strength of claws, hairs, and
feathers of animals
 Microfilaments
Thinnest among cytoskeletons
a.k.a. actin filaments
Provide protective meshwork
Allow muscles to contract and
relax
Cell Surfaces and Junctions
Cells doEx.not
WBClive solitary lives,
they work as part of a larger
goal forming tissues
Tissues – collection of cells
performing specific functions
 Cell Surfaces and
Junctions
Cells are joined together by
structures called cell junctions
Plasmodesmata – channels of
communication in plant cells,
play role in sharing of water,
nutrients, and chemical
messages
Plasmodesmata
 3 Types of Adjacent
Animal Cells
Tight junctions – join two cells tightly
together forming a leakproof sheet
Adhesion junctions – act like screws
together with cytoskeletal fibers forming
strong sheets
Gap junctions – like plamodesmata,
allow small molecules to flow between
neighboring cells
Varieties of Cells in
the Body
Bone cells form bone, which is
composed of a matrix of collagen and
calcium phosphate minerals.
 There are three primary
types of bone cells in the
body.
Osteoclasts are large cells that
decompose bone for resorption and
assimilation.
Osteoblasts regulate bone
mineralization and produce osteoid
(organic substance of bone matrix),
which mineralizes to form bone.
Osteocytes aid in the formation
of bone and help maintain
calcium balance
Blood Cells
Red blood cells
determine blood type and are
also responsible for transporting
oxygen to cells.
White blood cells are immune
system cells that destroy
pathogens and provide
immunity.
Platelets help to clot blood and
prevent excessive blood loss
due to broken or
damaged blood vessels
Fat Cells
 Fat Cells
Fat cells, also called
adipocytes, are the major cell
component of adipose tissue.
Contain droplets of stored fat
(triglycerides) that can be used
for energy.
Adipose cells also have
an endocrine function as they
produce hormones that
influence sex hormone
metabolism, blood pressure
regulation, insulin sensitivity, fat
storage and use, blood clotting,
and cell signaling.
 Skin Cells

Composed of a layer
of epithelial tissue (epidermis)
that is supported by a layer
of connective tissue (dermis)
and an underlying
subcutaneous layer.
The skin protects the internal
structures of the body from
damage, prevents dehydration,
acts as a barrier against germs,
stores fat, and produces
vitamins and hormones.
Skin Cells
Nerve Cells or Neurons
Basic unit of the nervous
system. Nerves send signals
among the brain, spinal cord,
and other body organs via
nerve impulses.
 Two Major parts of
Neurons
Cell body - contains the
neuron's nucleus,
associated cytoplasm,
and organelles.
Nerve processes - "finger-like"
projections (axons and dendrites) that
extend from the cell body and are
able to conduct and transmit signals.
Nerve Cells or Neurons
Typical Plant Cell