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Lect 2. An Introduction To Cell

The document discusses cells and their structure. It defines cells as the basic unit of life and membrane-bound structures that contain the molecules of life. Cells can be single-celled organisms like bacteria or specialized cells that work together in multicellular organisms. While small, cells contain complex internal structures like organelles that carry out specific functions. The structures of animal cells are described, including the nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and other organelles. Cells were first observed under a microscope by Robert Hooke in the 1600s.

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Muhtasham Khan
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10 views10 pages

Lect 2. An Introduction To Cell

The document discusses cells and their structure. It defines cells as the basic unit of life and membrane-bound structures that contain the molecules of life. Cells can be single-celled organisms like bacteria or specialized cells that work together in multicellular organisms. While small, cells contain complex internal structures like organelles that carry out specific functions. The structures of animal cells are described, including the nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and other organelles. Cells were first observed under a microscope by Robert Hooke in the 1600s.

Uploaded by

Muhtasham Khan
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CELL

AN INTRODUCTION

KHALID AMIN
LECTURER
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ABASYN UNIVERSITY PESHAWAR
Cell
• Cell, in biology, the basic membrane-
bound unit that contains the fundamental
molecules of life and of which all living
things are composed.
• A single cell is often a complete organism
in itself, such as a bacterium or yeast.
• Other cells acquire specialized functions
as they mature.
• These cells cooperate with other
specialized cells and become the building
blocks of large multicellular organisms,
such as humans and other animals.
• Although cells are much larger than
 atoms, they are still very small.
• The smallest known cells are a group of
tiny bacteria called mycoplasmas;
• some of these single-celled organisms are
spheres as small as 0.2 μm in diameter
(1μm = about 0.000039 inch), with a total
mass of 10−14 gram—equal to that of
8,000,000,000 hydrogen atoms.
• Cells of humans typically have a mass
400,000 times larger than the mass of a
single mycoplasma bacterium, but
even human cells are only about 20 μm
across.
• It would require a sheet of about 10,000
human cells to cover the head of a pin,
and each human organism is composed
of more than 30,000,000,000,000 cells.
Animal Cell
• Principal structures of an animal cell
Cytoplasm surrounds the cell's specialized
structures, or organelles.
• Ribosomes, the sites of protein synthesis, are
found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the
endoplasmic reticulum, through which
materials are transported throughout the cell.
• Energy needed by the cell is released by the
mitochondria.
• The Golgi complex, stacks of flattened sacs,
processes and packages materials to be released
from the cell in secretory vesicles.
• Digestive enzymes are contained in lysosomes.
• Peroxisomes contain enzymes that detoxify
dangerous substances.
• The centrosome contains the centrioles,
which play a role in cell division. 
• The microvilli are fingerlike extensions found
on certain cells.
• Cilia, hairlike structures that extend from the
surface of many cells, can create movement of
surrounding fluid.
• The nuclear envelope, a double
membrane surrounding the nucleus,
contains pores that control the movement
of substances into and out of the
nucleoplasm.
• Chromatin, a combination of DNA
and proteins that coil into
chromosomes, makes up much of
the nucleoplasm.
• The dense nucleolus is the site of
ribosome production.
Cells
• Smallest living unit
• Most are microscopic
Discovery of Cells
• Robert Hooke (mid-1600s)
– Observed sliver of cork
– Saw “row of empty boxes”
– Coined the term cell

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