THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
● made up of cells PROKARYOTIC CELL
● form and structure (size, shape)
● respond to stimuli (thigmotropism, geotropism)
● acquire and utilize energy (photosynthesis,
respiration)
● ability to reproduce (sexual and asexual
reproduction)
● can adapt and adjust to environment -have
chemical component
● exhibit growth and development exhibit
metabolism
● possess a genetic program

● All cells fall into one of these two

CELL THEORY broad categories.
● Only the single-celled organisms
● Cells are the building block and the
of the domains Bacteria and
functional unit of all living organisms; it
Archaea
includes the life cycle, metabolic activities
● are classified as prokaryotes— pro
and the ability to transfer character traits.
means before and kary means
(UNITY)
nucleus.
● All living organisms are containing one or
more cells. (FUNCTIONALITY)
● Cells arise from the pre-existing cells.
(REPRODUCIBILITY) EUKARYOTIC CELL

MODERN CELL THEORY

● All living organisms are composed of
trillions of cells in their body.
● Cells are fundamental and building
blocks of all living organisms.
● Cells come from other cells by cell
division.
● The cell consists of genetic material ● Animals, plants, fungi, and
which is passed from generation up to protists are all eukaryotes— eu
the last generation. means true—and are made up of
● All cells are made up of the same in eukaryotic cells.
chemical composition.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells
● Less complex
● No nucleus Functions of Cytoplasmic membrane or Cytoplasm:
● Mostly unicellular A. Active transport of molecules in the
● Bacterial cell wall –Peptidoglycan cell
● Has a long single strand of DNA plus B. Energy generation by oxidative
● 70’s ribosomes phosphorylation
● Asexual reproduction by fission, Sexual C. Synthesis of precursors of the cell wall
production unknown D. Secretion of enzymes and toxins
● Kingdom Monera (bacteria and
cyanobacteria)

Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells Mesosome • refers to the

● More complex
invagination of the cytoplasm
● True nucleus
● Either unicellular or multicellular membrane that is important during
● Plant cell wall-cellulose Fungi –chitin cell division
● Has two to hundreds of chromosomes per
cell 80’s ribosomes
● Asexual reproduction by mitosis and
Sexual reproduction by fusion of gametes
● Kingdom of Animalia, Kingdom of Plantae
and Kingdom of Fungi

PROKARYOTIC CELLS

Functions of Mesosome
● It is the origin of the transverse
Cytoplasmic membrane - is located septum that divides the cell in
just inside the peptidoglycan layer of the half and the binding site of the
cell wall, which is composed of a DNA that becomes the genetic
phospholipid bilayer. material of each daughter cell.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
PROKARYOTIC CELLS Transposons
● are pieces of DNA that move readily
from one site to another, either between
DNA of bacteria, plasmids, and
bacteriophages.
● Functions of Transposons is to code for
the drug resistance enzymes, toxins or a
variety of metabolism.

Capsule
Amorphous Matrix ● is a gelatinous layer covering the entire
bacteria.
• It contains ribosomes, nutrient granules,
● It plays a role in adherence of bacteria
metabolites and plasmids.
to human tissues, which is an important
step in causing infection.

Nucleoid region
• Found inside the cell which is
composed of DNA. Flagella
• are long
whip-like
appendages that

Plasmids move the

bacteria toward
• are extrachromosomal, double stranded, nutrients and
circular DNA molecules that are capable of other attractants
replicating independently of the bacterial and a process
called
chromosome
“chemotaxis”.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
Pili (Fimbriae)
• are hair-like filaments that extend to
the cell surface.
• It forms the attachment between the
male (donor) to the female (recipient)
bacteria during conjugation..

Cell wall
● External covering of bacteria,
fungi and plants.
● Bacterial cell wall is composed of
peptidoglycan - Plant cell wall is
composed of cellulose.
Glycocalyx (slime layer) ● The Fungi cell wall is composed of
chitin.
• is a polysaccharide coating which is
secreted by may bacteria and mediates Function
adherence of certain bacteria.
It provides rigid support for the cell that
maintains shape and allows the cell to
withstand media of low osmotic pressure

Eukaryotic Cells
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
● Middle lamella or intercellular layer Consisting Functions
primarily of pectin (calcium pectate) for a. It envelopes the cell
cementing adjacent cells together - b. To maintain the structures and
Normally shared by two adjacent cells - functions c. Has a sensory device that
Contains a network of cellulose (microfibrils permits the cell to recognize and be
and microfibrils) recognized by the other cells and
● Primary wall - Layer of cell wall secreted macromolecules.
against the middle lamella mainly composed d. Has semi-permeable membranes
of cellulose - Contains cut that makes up the between the cytoplasm and external
cuticle (outer walls of cells forming the environment.
exterior surface of land plants; impermeable
to water and protect leaves and stems Cytoplasm
against water loss) • pertains to the fluid portion of the cell
● Secondary wall - Found internal to the primary which contains the three main structural
components: cytoskeleton, organelles and
wall in cells with very thick walls - Made up
inclusions
of cellulose with the addition of lignin
. • Also called “soup” of the cell.
(hardness and decay-resistance) and suberin
- Organelles are the structures that carry
(impermeability to water and gases)
out specific metabolic function.

Organelles Bounded by Single

Membrane
Plasma membrane - Is composed of Endoplasmic Reticulum
lipid bilayer (phospholipids and associated - Is a complex network of flattened sacs
proteins (Integral and Peripheral protein) and tubes extending from the nuclear
together with oligosaccharide side chains. membrane to the plasma membrane.
Function: It transports substance
through the inside of the cell,
synthesizes lipids, enzymes and
proteins.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
Types - GLYOXYSOMES are the largest micro body
that contain enzymes. Conversion of fats to
1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) - studded carbohydrates during germination of fat
storing seeds.
with ribosome for protein synthesis
- SPHAEROSOMES are associated with fat
storage and synthesis.
FUNCTION:This transmission electron
FUNCTION: Peroxisomes are membrane-bound
micrograph shows the rough endoplasmic
organelles that contain an abundance of
reticulum and other organelles in a
enzymes for detoxifying harmful substances
pancreatic cell.
and lipid metabolism.

2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) - System of

sac that has no studded ribosome. Mostly it
synthesizes the lipids.
Organelle Bounded by
Double Membrane
Golgi Apparatus/Golgi Complex/Golgi Bodies
/Dictyosomes.
- are flattened stacks of membranes that Mitochondria
modify the proteins (polypeptides) and lipids • ATP or Adenosine triphosphate -
then packages into a small, Contains DNA and ribosome
membrane-enclosed organelle called “vesicle”.
THE MIGHTY MITOCHONDRIA! POWERHOUSE
Lysosome
OF THE CELL
- is a small membrane bordered structure that
contains powerful enzymes necessary for
cellular digestion. - Garbage disposal of cells. Mitochondrial structure This electron
FUNCTION: Lysosomes digest foreign substances micrograph shows a mitochondrion as
that might harm the cell A macrophage has viewed with a transmission electron
engulfed (phagocytized) a potentially microscope. This organelle has an outer
pathogenic bacterium and then fuses with membrane and an inner membrane. The
lysosomes within the cell to destroy the inner membrane contains folds, called
pathogen. Other organelles are present in the cristae, which increase its surface area.
cell but for simplicity are not shown.
The space between the two membranes is
called the intermembrane space, and the
Vacuoles
- are the sac-like structures by a membrane space inside the inner membrane is
called tonoplast. called the mitochondrial matrix. ATP
- Plant stores the materials such as water, synthesis takes place on the inner
food, enzymes, pigments, ions and nutrients. - membrane.
Animals for disposing of materials, debris and
toxic substances.

Microbodies/Peroxisome
- is a membrane-bound vesicle containing
oxidative enzymes.
- SOGAERISINES are plant lysosomes for fat
synthesis.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
a plant a yellow-green color, even
during the summer.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
● This transmission electron micrograph ORANGE & YELLOW
shows the rough endoplasmic reticulum • Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables
and other organelles in a pancreatic cell. contain carotenoid pigments that are
converted into vitamin A to reduce

PLASTIDS macular degeneration risk and keep

your eyes and heart healthy.
● Largest organelle in plant cells. Are

2. Anthocyanin
disk-shaped pigment containing storage
organelles found only in plant cells and
some photosynthetic protists DNA ● Anthocyanin pigments are responsible
containing Parts : Thylakoids, Grana, for the red, purple, and blue colors of
Stroma many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains,
● All plastids develop from proplastids and and flowers.

are interconvertible
● All plastids arise only from preexisting BLUE & PURPLE
-Blue and purple fruits and vegetables also
plastids

PLASTIDS
contain anthocyanins to protect the body
against cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Contain pigments or storage products Red fruits and vegetables
● Chloroplasts - contain anthocyanins and lycopene, a plant
● Chromoplasts pigment that reduces cancer risks and
provides the antioxidants to prevent cell
● Amyloplasts

Thylakoids
damage. These foods also support heart and
memory health as well as reducing free
● Contain photosynthetic pigments radical damage. "An apple a day keeps the
doctor away" is right!
● They are surrounded by a gel-like matrix
called “stroma”
● The stacks of thylakoids are called“grana'' 3. Anthoxanthin
(singular: granum) •Anthoxanthins Are water soluble pigments
which range in color from white or colorless
4 TYPES OF COLORED PLASTIDS to creamy to yellow, often on petals of
flowers.
1. Carotenoids
● These pigments are also found in Eat Something White! Yes, even white fruits
and veggies are loaded with health benefits.
plastids.
The white pigment produced is caused by
● The carotenoids occur, along with
anthoxanthins. Anthoxanthins Are thought to
the chlorophyll pigments, in tiny be protective against heart disease by
structures called plastids -within the lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. They
cells of leaves. also may help prevent stomach cancer. So,
● Sometimes they are in such today eat something white and talk about
abundance in the leaf that they give how you're keeping your heart healthy.
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS

4 TYPES OF COLORED PLASTIDS Elaioplasts

4. Xanthophylls • specialized for the storage of lipids in
• are yellow pigments that form one of two plants
major divisions of the carotenoid group. • Elaioplasts House oil body deposits as
• Their molecular structure is similar to rounded plastoglobuli, which are
carotenes, which form the other major
essentially fat droplets.
carotenoid group division, but xanthophylls
contain oxygen atoms, while carotenes are
purely hydrocarbons with no oxygen. Aleuroneplasts/ Proteinoplasts
• They contain crystalline bodies of protein

Leucoplasts
and can be the sites of enzyme activity
involving those proteins.
• are colorless plastids • are found in many seeds, such as brazil
• They are white and colorless, so they are nuts and peanuts.
predictably located in roots and non
photosynthetic tissues of plants. ORGANELLES (WITHOUT ANY
• They may become specialized for bulk
storage of starch, lipid or protein and are MEMBRANES)

RIBOSOME
then known as amyloplasts, elaioplasts,or
proteinoplast
• Site of protein synthesis

Amyloplasts • Found attached to rough ER or floating

free in cytosol
• They are responsible for the synthesis and
• Produced in a part of the nucleus
storage of starch granules, through the
called the nucleolus
polymerization of glucose.
• Convert this starch back into sugar when the
Ribosomes are responsible for protein
plant needs energy. synthesis
• Large numbers of amyloplasts can be found Ribosomes are made up of a large
in fruit and in underground storage tissues of subunit (top) and a small subunit
some plants, such as in potato tubers. (bottom). During protein synthesis,
• Amyloplasts are starch grains. ribosomes assemble amino acids into
proteins.
AMYLOPLASTS STORE STARCH
Cytoskeleton
- is a system of interconnected protein
filaments and fibers that support cell
structure.
• Acts as skeleton and muscle
• Provides shape and structure
• Helps move organelles around the cell
• Made of three types of filaments
 THE CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
C. Intermediate Filament
Microtubule - includes keratin, desmin, vimentin
-is the hollow cylinders made out of and neurofilaments.
protein tubulin.
- support for cell shape. Stained Keratin Intermediate
- spindle fiber for cell division filaments Keratin cytoskeleton
intermediate filaments are

Microtubule Structure concentrated around the edge of the

cells and merge into the surface
Microtubules are hollow, with walls membrane. This network of
consisting of 13 polymerized dimers of intermediate filaments from cell to
αtubulin and β-tubulin (right image). cell holds together tissues like skin.
The left image shows the molecular
structure of the tube 3. Inclusions - not metabolically
active. - provides mechanical stability
Microtubules are the structural component to cells. e.glycogen, lipid droplets and

of flagella
lipofuscin s

This transmission electron micrograph

of two flagella shows the 9 + 2 array
of microtubules: nine microtubule
doublets surround a single
microtubule doublet.

B. Microfilament
- long, thin fibers
- subunits of protein actin
- its function is for cell
movement,cytoplasmic streaming and
muscle contraction.

Microfilaments are the thinnest

component of the cytoskeleton.
Microfilaments are made of two
intertwined strands of actin.