Cell The Basic Unit of Life 1

CELL :
The
Basic
Unit of
Life
The cell is the simplest unit of matter
that is alive. From the unicellular
bacteria to multicellular animals, the
cell is one of the basic organizational
principles of biology.
MICROSCOPE
The Cell Theory
1665 – the cell was first discovered by
Robert Hooke
⮚ He observed very thin slices of bottle
cork using a compound microscope,
where he discovered a multitude of
tiny pores that he named “cells”
(from the Latin word cella which
means small room.
The Cell Theory
1676 – Anton van Leeuwenhoek coined
the term “animalcules” – which
pertains to cells as living organisms
because of the characteristic of
motility
⮚ He used an improved compound
microscope that could magnify
objects/specimens 270x
⮚ Example of animalcules – protozoa ,
The Cell Theory
1838 – Matthias Jakob Schleiden
suggested that every structural part of
a plant was made up of cells
1839 – Theodor Schwann stated that along

with plants, animals are composed of cells
or the product of cells in their structure.
The 3 Fundamental Postulates of the
Cell Theory
1. The cell is the basic unit of life.

2. All living organisms are composed of
cells
3. New cells are created from pre-existing
cells.
⮚ “Omnis cellula e cellula”
⮚ Rudolph Virchow - 1855
The Modern Cell Theory
1. All known living things are made up of
one or more cells.
2. All living cells arise from pre-existing cells
by division.
3. The cell is the fundamental unit of
structure and function in all living
organisms.
4. The activity of an organism depends on
the total activity of independent cells.
5. Energy flow (metabolism and
biochemistry) occurs within cells.
The Modern Cell Theory
6. Cells contain DNA which is found specifically
in the chromosome and the RNA found in the
cell nucleus and cytoplasm.
7. All cells are basically the same in chemical
composition in organisms of similar species.
8. Heredity information (DNA) is passed on
from cell to cell.
9. All cells have the same basic chemical
composition.
10. All living organisms are composed of and
depend on cells to function normally.
The Cell Structure
and Functions
The Cell Structure & Functions
Organisms are composed of cells, and

these cells have specific structures
within them that allow them to carry out
their functions. These structures are
called organelles. Organelles perform
different functions within a cell.
CELL MEMBRANE – is a double
layered, thin barrier, surrounding the
cell to control the entry and the exit of
certain substances. It has the role of
protecting the cell and its contents.
CYTOPLASM – it is a membrane which
protects the cell by keeping the cell
organelles separate from each other.
This helps to keep the stability of the
cell. Cytoplasm contains semi-fluid
translucent substance known as
cytosol. Cytoplasm is the site where
many vital biochemical reactions take
NUCLEUS – it is the largest organelle
in a cell. It contains nearly all of the
cell’s genetic material.
NUCLEAR MEMBRANE – is a bilayer
membrane, which protects the nucleus
by acting as a barrier from the
organelles.
NUCLEOLUS – is an important
membrane found inside the nucleus
that produces a cell’s ribosomes.
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (ER) –
found near the nucleus.
ROUGH ER – has a lot of ribosomes
attached to its outer surface. It
transports proteins that are
synthesized in the ribosomes.
SMOOTH ER – does not have
ribosomes. It synthesizes lipids.
GOLGI APPARATUS – also known as
Golgi body or Golgi complex. It is
responsible for the modification,
transportation and packaging of
proteins and lipids.
LYSOSOMES – spherical sacs which
contain digestive enzymes used to break
down materials. They digest excess or
worn out organelles, food particles, and
engulfed viruses or bacteria.
MITOCHONDRIA – these are round double
membrane-bound organelles responsible
for Aerobic Respiration. During aerobic
respiration, ATP is produced in the
mitochondria. ATP captures chemical
energy obtained from the breakdown of
food molecules and releases it to fuel
other cellular processes. The
mitochondrion is also known as the
CHROMOSOMES – made up of DNA

and stored in the nucleus, which
contains the instructions for traits and
characteristics.
CELL WALL – helps in protecting the
plasma membrane and plays a vital role in
supporting and protecting the cells. It is a
thick outer layer made of cellulose that
gives the cell its shape. It is present in
plants, algae, bacteria and fungi.
VACUOLE – large vesicle formed by the
joining together of many vesicles. This is
a membrane-bound organelle that have
no specific shape and contain water with
a number of different compounds within
it. This is extremely important in
providing structural support, as well as
serving functions such as storage, waste
disposal, protection, and growth.
VESICLES - are membrane-bound
sacs that are used to store or transport
substances around the cell
PLASTIDS - are the double-membrane
organelle found in the cells of plants
and are the main sites of
photosynthesis (chloroplasts) in all
eukaryotic cells. Plastids are
responsible for manufacturing and
storing of food. These often contain
pigments (like chlorophyll) that are
used in photosynthesis and different
types of pigments that can change the
VIDEO LINK : The Cell Structure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URUJD5NEXC8

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CELL :

1839 – Theodor Schwann stated that along

1. The cell is the basic unit of life.

Organisms are composed of cells, and

CHROMOSOMES – made up of DNA

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