General Biology

BIO 1201

Cell structure and function

By AU KURFI
What do you understand by the term

Cell and Organelles?

 What is a Cell?
 A cell is defined as the smallest,
basic unit of life that is responsible
for all life’s processes
 A cell is the structural and
fundamental unit of life. Tiny units of
life that are like specialized
factories, full of machinery designed
to accomplish the business of life.
There are hundreds and different
types of cells in the human body.
 Cells are complex and their
components perform various functions
in an organism. A cell can replicate it
self independently. Hence, they are
known as the building blocks of life.
 An organelle is a membrane bound
structure found within a cell. These
organelles are found in the cytoplasm,
a viscous liquid found within the cell
membrane that houses the organelles.
 I. The history of cell study

A. Robert Hooke—1665— observed a piece of bottle

cork under a compound microscope and noticed
minuscule structures that reminded him of small
rooms, he named these “rooms” as cells.
B. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
• Compound microscope with higher
magnificaton that could visualize single cells
• concluded that these microscopic entities
were “alive.” After a host of other
observations, these entities were named as
animalcules.

C. Robert Brown—1831— provided the first insight into

the cell structure, he discovered the "nucleus“ in
the cells of orchids
I. The history of cell study

D. Theodor Schwann—1838—
viewed animal cells in cartilage
1. He states that along with
plants, animals are composed
of cells or the product of cells
in their structures
E. Mattias Schleiden—Cells are the
fundamental basis of life
F. Virchow—1858—All cells come
from cells
I. The history of cell study

F. Cell theory
1. All living things are composed
of one or more cells

2. Cells are the basic unit of

structure and function
3. All cells come from preexisting
cells
Modern version

1. Energy flow occurs within cells

2. Heredity information (DNA) is
passed on from cell to cell
3. All cells have the same basic
composition
II. Attributes of cells

A. Cell size : 1–100µm

(1 meter = 100 cm = 1,000 mm = 1,000,000
µm = 1,000,000,000 nm)
II. Attributes of cells

B. Cell types (Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic)

1. Prokaryotic cell —no nucleus (or other
membrane-bound organelles)
ribosomes
2. In some prokaryotes such as bacteria genetic
material is freely suspended in a region called
the nucleoid.
3. Prokaryotes are single-celled microorganisms.
Examples include archaea, bacteria, and
cyanobacteria.
4. The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in
diameter.
5. They reproduce asexually by binary fission
A Prokaryotic cell
II. Attributes of cells

B. Cell types
2. Eukaryotic cell —larger, nucleus,
linear chromosomes, membrane
bound organelles
3. The size of the cells ranges between
10–100 µm in diameter.
4. This broad category involves plants,
fungi, protozoans, and animals.
5. They reproduce sexually as well as
asexually.
A Eukaryotic cell
Differences between a Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cell

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

1. Unicellular or multi cellular

1. Unicellular only, 2. Small to large, with lengths
although some form from about 1μm
filaments or colonies (Ostreococcus) to 30m
2. Small, with lengths from (the blue whale)
about 0.1 to 5 μm 3. DNA in nucleus, bounded by
(excluding filaments or nuclear envelope
colonies)
3. DNA is circular, and 4. Genome consists of several
unbounded by a chromosomes
membrane
4. Genome consists of 5. Cell division by mitosis or
single chromosome, but meiosis; sexual
there may be additional reproduction is common
plasmids 6. Mitochondria and other
5. Asexual reproduction, organelles are present
although plasmid
transfer may occur
6. No membrane-bound
organelles
 III. Cell structure
A. All cells (prokaryotes and eukaryotes)
possess a plasma membrane (In plant
cells, cell wall is attached), cytoplasm,
genetic material and ribosomes
1. Plasma membrane (cell membrane) has
phospholipid bilayer, embedded
glycoproteins
a. Isolates cytoplasm from
environment
b. Regulates molecular
movement into and out of
cell
c. Interacts with other
cells/environment
III. Cell structure

2. Genetic material (DNA)—found in

the nucleus (of eukaryotes)
• Within cytoplasm in the nucleoid
region (of prokaryotes)
3. Cytoplasm—
a. The cytoplasm is a thick, clear, jelly-like
substance present inside the cell membrane.
b. Most of the chemical reactions within a cell
take place in this cytoplasm.
c. The cell organelles such as endoplasmic
reticulum, vacuoles, mitochondria,
ribosomes, are suspended in this cytoplasm.
III. Cell structure

B. Organelles
1. Ribosomes : Its main function is
protein synthesis
a. Associated with
the ER in
eukaryotes
b. Composed of RNA and proteins
c. Both prokaryotes and
eukaryotes have ribosomes
d. NOTE: Other organelles are
present only in eukaryotes
 III. Cell structure
B. Organelles (cont.)
2. Endoplasmic reticulum consists of folded
membranes contiguous with outer nuclear
membrane: involved in the transportation
of substances throughout the cell.
a. Rough ER: Embedded with ribosomes
site for protein synthesis and
secretion
b. Smooth ER: lipid synthesis and
secretion also detoxifying the cell. For
example, the liver, which is
responsible for most of the body’s
detoxification, has a larger amount of
smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
III. Cell Sturucture
3. Golgi apparatus: membranous sacs
associated with the ER (Packaging and
sorting proteins)
a. Sorts proteins and lipids by destination
b. Modifies some molecules
c. Packages these materials, then transports
them to appropriate location

4. Lysosomes (protein degradation) are

Golgi-derived vesicles containing digestive
enzymes. Peroxisomes (Fatty acid
breakdown). It also protects the cell from
reactive oxygen species (ROS) molecules
which could seriously damage the cell
5. Cytosol: the proteins that enter the Golgi
by mistake are sent back into the cytosol
 Flow of membrane within the cell
•Follow pathway of
membrane flow
•Nucleus
•ER
•Golgi apparatus
•Lysosomes (and
other packets of
materials)
•Plasma membrane
III. Cell structure

B. Organelles (cont.)
5. Mitochondria provide energy for
cellular functions
a. Membrane-bound (two
membranes)
 Most concentrated in metabolically
active cells (i.e. muscles)
b. Break down molecules to obtain
their energy
 Energy stored “short-term” as ATP
c. Have their own DNA
and ribosomes;
self-replicate
 Structure of a mitochondrion
Note: Different reactions occur in
different parts of the mitochondrion
Plant cells: Have all the organelles
previously mentioned, and also…
III. Cell structure
B. Organelles (cont.)
6. Vacuoles (stores food, water, and
other waste materials in the cell)
a. Large, water-
filled spaces
(cell sap)
b. Can take up
over 90% of
cell volume
c. Surrounded by tonoplast (a
single membrane)
d. Functions:
1) Storage of red/blue
anthocyanins, acids, salts,
wastes
2) Maintain cell pressure (turgor
pressure)—wilting
Maintenance of turgor pressure
III. Cell structure
B. Organelles (cont.)
7. Chloroplasts (primary organelles for photosynthesis.
It contains the pigment chlorophyll)
a. Note double membrane
b. Green—contain chlorophyll pigment
c. Stacks of thylakoids (grana) within stroma (fluid)
a. As for mitochondria, diff. parts have diff. functions
d. Have their own DNA and ribosomes; self-replicate
III. Cell structure
B. Organelles (cont.)
8. Other plastids
a. Storage of materials such as pigments
and starch (as in potatos)
III. Cell structure

B. Organelles (cont.)
8. Nucleus is control center of the
cell
 III. Cell structure
B. Organelles (cont.)
Functions of the parts of the nucleus
a. Nuclear membrane has pores (protects the
nucleus by forming a boundary between the
nucleus and other cell organelles).
 Water, ions and ATP can pass through
pores
 Other materials are regulated by
“gatekeeper” proteins in the pores
b. Nucleolus
 Site of ribosome synthesis. Ribosomes are
assembled in the nucleolus, and exit the
nucleus with nuclear pores.
c. Chromatin
 Between nucleolus and envelope
 Replication and transcription
III. Cell structure

C. Cell walls found in plant cells,

prokaryotic cells, fungi
Function: support, protection

NOTE: Animal cells do not have

cell walls!
III. Cell structure

D. Cytoskeleton
1. Network of protein fibers to which
organelles and even enzymes are
attached

Microfilaments Intermed. Fil. Microtubules

III. Cell structure

Cytoskeleton functions
1. Cell shape
2. Organization of cellular structures
3. Cell movement
 Caused by assembly, disassembly
and sliding of the filaments
4. Organelle movement
 Ex: Endocytosis
 Movement of membrane from ER to
Golgi apparatus, etc…
5. Cell division
III. Cell structure
E. Cilia and flagella are protein
microtubule extensions of the
plasma membrane
1. Cilia: short and numerous
2. Examples: within oviducts to move eggs,
filter-feeding in invertebrates, movement
of particles out of respiratory system
III. Cell structure

2. Flagella: longer and fewer

Differences between Plant and Animal Cells

1. The plant cells have a cell wall which surrounds the

cell membrane. On the other hand, the animal cells
only have a cell membrane.
2. In plant cells, there are chloroplasts which are
helpful in photosynthesis, while its absent in animal
cells
3. In the plant cells, there is a larger vacuole (it’s like a
fluid sack) in comparison to the animal cells where
the vacuole is smaller
4. The animal cells are ‘blobby.’ On the other hand, the
cells in the plants are more structured because of
the presence of a cell wall. It forms a lattice-like
structure which helps with rigidness.
 Functions of Cell

1. Provides Support and Structure: The cell wall and the cell membrane are the
main components that function to provide support and structure to the
organism. For eg., the skin is made up of a large number of cells. Xylem
present in the vascular plants is made of cells that provide structural
support to the plants.
2. Facilitate Growth by Mitosis: In mitosis, the parent cell divides into the
daughter cells. Thus, the cells multiply and facilitate the growth in an
organism.
3. Allows Transport of Substances: Various nutrients are imported by the cells
to carry out various chemical processes going on inside the cells. The
waste produced by the chemical processes is eliminated from the cells
by active and passive transport. Small molecules such as oxygen,
carbon dioxide diffuse across the cell membrane along the
concentration gradient. This is known as passive transport. The larger
molecules diffuse across the cell membrane through active transport
where the cells require a lot of energy to transport the substances.
4. Energy Production: Cells require energy to carry out various chemical
processes. This energy is produced by the cells via photosynthesis
and respiration
5. Aids in Reproduction: A cell aids in reproduction through the processes
called mitosis and meiosis