Lesson 5.1 Cell The Basic Unit of Life

Cell: The Basic Unit of Life
Objective:
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to

explain how cells carry out functions required for
life.
Have you ever wondered what the inside
of a cell looks like and how its parts
perform functions required for life?
The Basic Unit of Life
All organisms are made up of cells. The cell is the basic
structural unit found in every living organism that performs
several functions throughout life. The zoo animals such as
elephants and snakes, the plants in the garden, and even
yourself, are all living things composed of cells. These cells
can only be seen through the use of a microscope.
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
• There are two types of cells based on the
presence or absence of a nucleus.
• Cells can be eukaryotic or prokaryotic.
Eukaryotic cells -have a nucleus which contains

the genetic material or DNA. They also have
several membrane-bound organelles such as
ribosomes and mitochondria. They include animal
and plant cells.
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells differ in eukaryotic cells
because their DNA is found in a region called
the nucleoid rather than a nucleus. They also
lack most membrane-bound organelles present
in eukaryotes. However, prokaryotes have
cytoplasm where organelles are suspended,
flagella that aids in motility (ability to move),
cell wall made of peptidoglycan, cell membrane
that serves as a selective barrier, and ribosomes
that make proteins.
Learn about it!
• Eukaryotic Cells
There are two types of eukaryotic cells:
animal and plant cells.
Animal Cells
• Aside from the nucleus, the typical animal
cell also have other membrane-bound
organelles such as mitochondria,
lysosomes, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic
reticulum, nucleus, microtubules, plasma
membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.
• The mitochondria is the powerhouse of
the cell because this is where most energy
(ATP) is produced.
• The lysosomes break down large
molecules into smaller pieces and digest
worn out organelles.
• The Golgi apparatus sorts and packages
proteins and lipids produced by the
smooth and rough endoplasmic
reticulum.
• The cis face receives the materials for processing
in transport vesicles.
• The trans face is the discharging end where
molecules are released through the secretory
vesicles.
• The endoplasmic reticulum has two types:
rough ER and smooth ER.
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum is bounded with
ribosomes. It is where most protein synthesis
occurs.
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum has no
ribosomes attached. Its function is mainly for
lipid synthesis.
• The nucleus is the largest organelle that serves
as the control center of the cell. It contains the
hereditary material known as DNA.
• The microtubules are components of the
cytoskeleton and important in a number of
cellular processes.
• The plasma membrane is a semi-permeable
membrane that encloses the cell separating its
contents from the surroundings.
•
• The cytoplasm is a semifluid matrix where
organelles are suspended.
• The ribosomes consist of the large and small
subunits. Their main role is to synthesize
proteins needed by the cell.
Plant Cells
• Plant and animal cells share the same structures
except for the chloroplast, cell wall, and
amyloplast, which are only found in plants.
• The cell wall provides support and protection for
the cell. Special openings called plasmodesmata
are used to communicate and transport
materials between plant cells.
• The chloroplasts convert light energy to sugars
through photosynthesis.
•The vacuole is responsible for storing
food, water, and metabolic and toxic
wastes.
•The amyloplast is responsible for the
production and storage of starch and
the conversion of starch back to sugar
as needed by the plant for energy.
Learn about it!
How do cells carry out functions required for life?
• Cells have different types which are specialized to perform
specific functions. For example, cardiac muscle cells have
numerous mitochondrion because they need a lot of
energy. Nerve cells are long for them to be able to
transmit signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
Cell membrane of cells in the intestine is extended to have
more surface area to absorb food. Mammalian red blood
cells don’t have nucleus to make more room for
hemoglobin, a protein that carries respiratory gases.
Key Points
• The cell is the basic unit of life.
• Prokaryotic cells do not have nucleus. Their genetic
material is found in a region called the nucleoid.
• Eukaryotic cells have nucleus which contains the
genetic material. They can be classified as animal or
plant cells.
Key Points
• Animal cells have a nucleus and other membrane-
bound organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes,
Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum,
microtubules, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and
ribosomes.
• Plant cells have the same structures as animal cells
except for chloroplast, cell wall, and amyloplast
which are only found in plants.
• Cells have different types which are specialized to
perform specific functions.
ANY QUESTIONS?

Lesson 5.1 Cell The Basic Unit of Life

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Lesson 5.1 Cell The Basic Unit of Life

Uploaded by

Cell: The Basic Unit of Life

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to

Eukaryotic cells -have a nucleus which contains

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