THE CELL THEORY, STRUCTURE AND

FUNCTIONS
for General Biology 1 Grade 11
Quarter 1/Week 1

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NegOr_Q1_GenBio1_SLKWeek1_v2
 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit (SLK) is the first among the series of SLKs in
General Biology 1. SLKs are designed for Senior High School
learners to gain knowledge independently in the absence of
face-to-face learning instruction.

Cell theory is an essential lesson in the curriculum guide to be

learned by learners before moving to other topics. Cell theory
provides information where the word “cell” was obtained. It also
includes the role of cell in living organisms and how cell was made
known in the world of science. The learners will know the scientists
who have made significant contributions in the discovery of cell
and the development of cell theory. The structures of the major
subcellular organelles are described and the function of each is
identified.

Pictures are shown to instill concrete knowledge on how a

cell looks like. Activities and diagrams are used to guide students
in organizing concepts for better understanding of the lesson.

With the guidance of parents or guardians, the learners are

advised to go through the learning kit page by page in an
ascending manner for an effective organization of concepts, do
every activity, and answer every question honestly and sincerely. It
is hoped that this SLK will make authentic learning possible.

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 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, learners shall be able to:

K: explain the postulates of the cell theory and the function of every cell
organelle;
S: make a model of either a plant cell or animal cell, and;
A: appreciate the importance of cell and its organelles by observing a
healthful diet.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
✓ 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)

I. What Happened
Direction: In your notebook, write the letter of the best answer.

1. What are living things structurally made of?

a. organs b. cells c. tissues d. all of the above
2. What is the basic unit of life?
a. organs b. cells c. tissues d. all of the above
3. Where do cells come from?
a. plants b. animals c. preexisting cells d. mitosis
4. What was used to study about cells?
a. hand lens c. telescope
b. electron microscope d. compound microscope
5. Where was the term “cell” coined from?
a. plant tissue c. sperm specimen
b. box-like structure in cork tissue d. animal tissue
6. The following are the three main parts of a cell except _______.
a. nucleus b. cytoplasm c. cell wall d. cell membrane
7. What is the common shape of an animal cell?
a. round b. rectangular c. square d. no fixed shape
8. Where are the organelles of a cell located?
a. nucleus c. cell membrane
b. cytoplasm d. scattered anywhere
9. What organelle is known as the “control center” of the cell?
a. cell membrane b. mitochondria c. cytoplasm d. nucleus
10. What regulates the passage of materials into and out of the cell?
a. cell wall b. cell membrane c. nucleus d. proteins
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II. What I Need To Know
Cell Theory
(Adapted from Gen. Bio. 1 by Belardo et al., Functional Biology by L.M. Rabago, and Biology by Capco &
Yang)

A theory is a set of propositions describing the operation and causes of

natural phenomena. Cell theory describes where the term “cell” and the
other basic information about the cell came from. Cell is the basic unit of life.
It is the building block of all organisms. There are organisms that are made up
of only one cell called unicellular organisms. Others are composed of many
cells known as multicellular organisms. But, even the life of a very huge
multicellular organism begins with a single cell – a sperm cell and an egg cell.

How are these concepts about the cell made known?

The idea about the cell came up as a result of different studies conducted by
several biologists from different countries of the world for about 300 years. A
few of these significant studies are as follows:

➢ Hans and Zacharias Jansen, Dutch inventors,

made the first simple microscope in 1590.

➢ Robert Hooke, an Englishman, gave the term

“cell” for the box-like structures observed in a
Figure 1: Cork cells
cork tissue under the microscope in 1667. Photo taken by L. A. De La Zerna

➢ Around 1675, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch naturalist, observed

sperm cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms in
rainwater after his invention of a more powerful microscope. A nucleus was
observed within some of the red blood cells.

➢ Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist,

studied plant structures under the
microscope. In 1838, he stated that all
plants are composed of cells.

➢ In 1839, it was concluded that all animals Figure 2: Plant cells

Photos taken by L.A. De La Zerna
are composed of cells by Theodore
Schwann, a German zoologist. He studied on animal tissues.

Jointly, Schleiden and Schwann proposed that all living things are made up
of cells.

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➢ Roughly, 20 years later, in 1855, Rudolf Virchow, a German biologist,
observed dividing cells during his work. Such observation made him conclude
that all living cells come from preexisting cells.
➢ Eventually, unifying all the discoveries and other advanced studies
conducted, the cell theory was formulated stating that:

1. All living things are structurally made up of cells.

2. The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
3. Cells come from the division of preexisting cells.

Clincher: The study of cell which started from the invention of simple
microscope until the development of cell theory was conducted for about
300 years by several scientists. From then on, further developments and
many technologies were made that had helped humanity.

Cell Structure and Functions

(Adapted from Gen. Bio.1 by Belardo et al., Functional Biology by L.M. Rabago, and Biology
by Capco & Yang)

All cells have three main parts: the cell membrane or plasma membrane,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.

cytoplasm nucleus

Cell
membran
e
Figure 3: The three main parts of a cell

Cell membrane separates the internal contents of the cell from its environment. It is a
phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it. As a selectively permeable
membrane, some substances can readily pass through it while others cannot. The
three major functions performed by the cell membrane are as follows: (1) separates
the contents of the cell from its environment, (2) regulates the passage of materials
in and out of the cell, and (3) permits communication with other cells.

The whole region within the cell membrane is the cytoplasm. Organelles are
found and perform their functions in the jelly-like substance called cytosol.
Various metabolic reactions like protein synthesis and breakdown of sugar
into ATP take place in the cytoplasm. Other organic materials are found in
the cytoplasm such as glucose and other simple sugars, polysaccharides,
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amino acids, nucleic acids, fatty acids, etc. Sodium, potassium, and calcium
ions are also dissolved in the cytoplasm. Centrioles, cytoskeleton, and plastids
are the specialized organelles in the cytoplasm.
Nucleus is the third main part of the cell. It is generally oval in shape,
covered with a nuclear membrane or envelope. It is the control center of
the cell that regulates and coordinates all activities of the cell.
Chromosomes are found in the nucleus. Within the chromosomes are DNA
that make up the gene that bears the hereditary traits.

The cell theory states that the cell is the basic unit of life. To be able to
perform its function, the cell contains cytoplasm structures called organelles.

The following are the basic organelles found in the cytoplasm.

• Mitochondria are the sites for the breakdown of sugar molecules into
adenosine triphosphate or ATP, which is the main source of energy in the
body.

• Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. The coded message from DNA
as to what kind of protein is to be synthesized is carried by the mRNA from
the nucleus to the ribosome.

• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of flattened sheets, sacs, and tubes of

membranes that extend throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is
structurally continuous with the nuclear membrane, and it specializes in
the transport of lipids and membrane proteins.

• A system of flattened, membrane-bound sacs that looks like stack of

pancakes is the Golgi apparatus. Its function is to modify, sort, and pack
macromolecules for secretion or for transport to other organelles.
Rounded vesicles are associated to the Golgi apparatus that pinched off
from its flattened sacs and carry the materials to other parts of the cell.

• Lysosome is also produced by the Golgi apparatus. It is a membrane-

bound organelle that comes in various sizes and shapes. Lysosomes
contain numerous hydrolytic or digestive enzymes for the breakdown of
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats within the cell. Thus, they are known as
“digestive sacs.” Destruction or repair of defective parts of the cell is
another function of lysosomes.

• Another membrane-bound vesicle that contain oxidative enzymes are the

peroxisomes. Enzymes responsible for oxidizing certain molecules to form
hydrogen peroxide are found in peroxisomes. They are abundantly found
in liver cells, where fats and lipids are metabolized. In plants, they convert
fatty acids into sugars needed by growing seedlings during seed
germination.
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• Vacuoles are large storage sacs in cells. The smaller ones are called
vesicles. In animals, some vacuoles function for storage of water or food,
while others are for excretion of waste materials. Vacuoles in plants
occupy up to 95% of the cell volume. Intracellular digestion, space filling,
and control of cell turgor are some of the functions of vacuoles in plants.
They contain water, sugar, salts, and anthocyanin pigment. Toxic
molecules are present that protect plants from herbivorous animals.

• Outside the nucleus of animal cells is found the centrosome. It consists of

two rod-shaped centrioles which are at right angle to each other. They
replicate before cell division resulting into two pairs of centrioles that later
move apart becoming part of the newly formed cells. They are believed
to function in the formation of spindle fibers.

• A network of interconnected protein filaments that extends throughout

the cytoplasm is the cytoskeleton that provides the cell’s structural
support. It is responsible for cell shape and motility.

• Plastids are large membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells. They

have three classifications. The first is the chloroplast, the green-colored
plastid which is caused by the green pigment called chlorophyll and is the
site for photosynthesis. The second are chromoplasts, colored plastids
other than green. These are specialized to synthesize and store carotenoid
pigments such as red, orange, and yellow. The third are leucoplasts, the
colorless plastid that contain stored food.

• Another organelle found in plant cells only is the cell wall. It protects and
supports the cells of the plants.

Figure 4: Animal Cell

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 Figure 5: Plant Cell

Interesting Facts about Cells

• An average adult has around 30 trillion cells in the body.

• Thousands of new cells are replicated (copied) from old ones every day.
• Old cells that are worn-out or damaged are replaced by the new cells.
• To sustain the cellular and overall health is to provide raw materials which
are obtained from the nutrients in the food eaten for the creation of new
cells.
• Certain nutrients also protect the cells from damage, and nutrients in
foods support the body's energy production machinery.

Clincher: How well the cells function, the quality and integrity of the new cells
created in the body, depend on the nutrients provided to the cells on a daily
basis. In short, following a healthful diet help maintain cells and avoid chronic
diseases.

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 Performance Task:

1. Using indigenous materials or any recyclable

materials available at home make a 3D
model of either an animal cell or a plant cell.
2. Label the organelles in the model made.

Rubrics in rating the output:

Correctness - 10 pts.
Originality - 10 pts.
Creativity - 5 pts.
Durability/ Workmanship - 5 pts.
TOTAL = 30 pts.

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 III. What I Have Learned

Multiple Choice. In your notebook, write the letter of the best answer.

1. How did the idea about the cell begin? By the invention of_____.
a. hand lens c. microscope
b. telescope d. periscope
2. Who are the three main contributors of the cell theory?
a. Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow
b. Virchow, Hooke, Einstein
c. Schwann, Leeuwenhoek, Darwin
d. Jansen, Newton, Virchow
3. Who first saw a cell under the microscope?
a. Jansen c. Leeuwenhoek
b. Hooke d. Schleiden
4. Who concluded that plants are made up of cells?
a. Hooke c. Schwann
b. Virchow d. Schleiden
5. Which was discovered first?
a. cell c. plant cell
b. animal cell d. microscope
6. Where is the site for the breakdown of food molecules to produce
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
a. cytoplasm c. Golgi apparatus
b. mitochondria d. nucleus
7. Which of the following structure in plant cell is NOT found in animal cell?
a. Golgi bodies c. plastids
b. ribosomes d. endoplasmic reticulum
8. Which of the following structures is found in both plant and animal cells?
a. nucleus c. cell wall
b. plastids d. centrioles
9. What organelle is known as the “digestive sac” which is capable of
destroying old and damaged cells?
a. ribosome c. vacuole
b. mitochondrion d. lysosome
10. What occupies the largest part of the cytoplasm in a plant cell?
a. ribosome c. vacuole
b. mitochondrion d. nucleus

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REFERENCES

Belardo, Gisselle Millete M. (2016). General Biology 1. Quezon City:

Vibal Group, Inc.

Capco, Carmelita M. and Gilbert C. Yang. (2000). Biology Textbook.

Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

“Nurture Your Cells to Stay Healthy.” General, Bariatric, & Vascular Surgery |
Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.
https://www.murrietavalleysurgery.com/bariatric-surgery/the-bariatric-
surgery-blog/2017/5/8/3-nurture-your-cells-to-stay-healthy/.
Published:May 8, 2017.

Rabago, Lilia M. (2010). Functional Biology. Quezon City: Vibal

Publishing House, Inc.

Sandoiu, Ana. “How Your Diet Can Keep Cells Healthy and
Young.” Medical and Health Information, Medical News
Today, 22 Aug. 2018,
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322845.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS EdD JD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent / CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS- Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
WRITER

ALEXA L. BORBON
LAYOUT ARTIST
_______________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
EUFRATES G. ANSOK, JR.
JOAN Y. BUBULI
MA. OFELIA I. BUSCATO
DEXTER D. PAIRA
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA

BETA QA TEAM
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA LIEZEL A. BESAS
DORIN FAYE D. CADAYDAY LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
MERCY G. DAGOY PETER PAUL A. PATRON
RANJEL D. ESTIMAR THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO
MARIA SALOME B. GOMEZ JOAN B. VALENCIA
ARJIE T. PALUMPA

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible
learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this
module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies.
The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to
substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form
without expressed written consent from the division.
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SYNOPSIS

This self-learning kit discusses about the cell theory.

Specifically, it deals with the origin of the cell and how
it was discovered. Scientists who made significant
contributions in the formulation of the cell theory are
given emphasis. The year when a certain discovery
and development of the cell theory was made is also
included.

The different cell organelles and their functions are

given emphasis. Illustrations are used to aid in learning.
Expected output from the learners will serve as an
application of the knowledge gained from this SLK,
helping them establish life-long learning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ ILLUSTRATOR

Writer: LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA, finished BSEd major in Gen.

Science at St. Paul Univ. of Dumaguete, formerly named St.
Paul College of Dumaguete, and graduated MAEd major in
Science Education at University of Southern Phils. Foundation
in Cebu City. Currently, she is teaching senior high school at
Sibulan Science High School.

Illustrator: ALEXA L. BORBON, a Grade 10 completer at Sibulan

Science HS in the SY 2019-2020. She is the school’s pride when it
comes to arts competition. The following are some of her
achievements as an artist during her Grade 10 only: Modulo Art
(Congreional level) - 1st place; Editorial Cartooning (Division Level)
– 2nd place; and Science Fair Poster Making (District Level) – 1st
place. NegOr_Q1_GenBio1_SLKWeek1_v2

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