Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

Module 1

• 1. Explain
2. Describe the structure and function
the postulates of major
of the cell and subcellular organelles.
theory.
• Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.
• Explain the postulates of the cell theory.
• Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.

3. Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.

Image retrieved from phys.org

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.1. Explain the postulates of the cell theory.

1.2. Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.
1.3. Differentiate prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells according to their distinguishing features.

THE BIG IDEA

The invention of the microscope led scientists and biologists to study living organisms and
they have concluded that organisms are made of structural and functional units called cell. A cell is
the basic unit of life as it has various organelles that conduct biochemical reactions to carry on basic
biological functions. As building blocks of life, cells come in different types, sizes, forms and shapes.
Different types of cells carry out different functions. In this module, you will have an in depth
understanding about the cell. How do different types of cell differ in structures and functions? What
are the postulates of the cell theory? How does the cell carry out its functions?

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 Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING

In the previous activity, you might have recalled some types of cells such as red blood
cells and nerve cells which are found in multicellular organisms and even those cells of
unicellular organism such as an amoeba. They carry specific functions. As we go further, we
are going to discuss other specialized type of cells and their functions and all the organelles
which help the cell carry its function.
Cells are the smallest unit of life that can perform independently. It was initially named
by Robert Hooke when he studied a slice of cork and he observed cubicle-like patterns which
turns out to be the outline of cells.

CELL THEORY
Upon the gradual development of the microscope, scientists were able to come up with the
basic statements about the basic unit of life.
All organisms are made up of one or more cells. All living organisms are made up of functional
units known as cell. Matthias Schleiden proved that plants have cells while Theodore Schwann
studied animals as well are made up off cells.
Cells are the fundamental unit of life. This means that every living organism have various
cells that have their respective functions.
Specialized cells are cells that have their respective functions for the organism. Together,
these cells form tissues and organs which are vital for the totality of the organism for it to
function as a whole. Their total structure has something to do with their function. Not all
animal cells look the same since they have diverse functions.

Types of Specialized Cells Functions

Epithelial Cells They serve as the protection of
the underlying tissues since
they line up these tissues.
These are present in the skin
and glandular tissues.
Connective Tissue Cells These are the cells that are
responsible for connecting
tissues and organs together.
They have little or no
extracellular space in between
them. Examples of which are
ligaments, tendons, bones, and
fibroblasts.

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 Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

Nervous Cells These are the cells responsible

for transmitting of information
obtained from a stimulus such
as heat in order to elicit the
appropriate response.
Muscle Cells It can be attached to your
bones (skeletal muscle cells), to
your heart (cardiac muscle
cells) or to your blood vessels
and various organs (smooth
muscle cells).

These specialized cells originated from

unspecialized cells (such as stem cells which can be
found in the bone marrow among adults) and undergo
the process of differentiation to attain their complex Why do you think is
functions. Cells joined together form tissues, tissues stem cell therapy a
combined form organs and organs that have the same controversial issue in
therapeutic medicine?
field of work form an organ system which all living
organisms have.
Cells came from pre-existing cells. According to Rudolf
Virchow, no cell today can arise from non-cellular materials. This postulate is supported by
the concept of cell division of existing cells.

Different specialized cells and their structure

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 Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

Cell Types

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
Nucleus No nucleus Has nucleus
DNA Circular Linear
molecules
Organization Usually single Some are
cells single, some
are multi-
cellular and
much complex
Cell division Binary fission Mitosis/meiosis
Organisms Bacteria, Plants, animals,
archaebacterial fungi, protists

Cell Organelles
Cell/Plasma Membrane selectively allows necessary molecules and fluids to pass through
and into the cell. It is considered to have a phospholipid by layer which by nature is
amphipathic (has a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail)
Cell Wall is a protective structure found in plants, algae, fungi and bacteria to maintain
cellular and tissue integrity
Cytoplasm is the ground substance where the biochemical reactions happen as it contains
viscous fluids called as cytosol.
Endoplasmic Reticulum is the continuous single membrane system structure that is a site
for some molecular biosynthesis including steroidal hormones of the endocrine cells. It
may be classified as either rough endoplasmic reticulum or smooth endoplasmic
reticulum. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum obtained its name due to the presence of
ribosomes which are the sites of protein synthesis and it is also responsible for some
covalent modifications such as glycosylation (addition of sugar group) and
phosphorylation (addition of phosphate group). Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum, on the
other hand, does not contain ribosomes and is tabular and non-granular since if functions
for protein transport.
Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the eukaryotic cell since it is the site of ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) synthesis. ATP is known as the energy carrier molecule. Mitochondria is
present in eukaryotes but not in prokaryotes and it has its own DNA.
Golgi Complex is used to modify and transport molecules.
Lysosomes is responsible for internal cellular digestion and clearing of unnecessary and
old proteins since it contains hydrolytic enzymes exemplified by hydrolases.

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 Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

Vacuoles are important in storing over secreted toxic secondary metabolites and it is
noticeably prominent in plants than in animals.
Centrioles are composed of 9 groups of parallel subunits, made up of microtubules
arranged to a longitudinal manner and usually found close to the nucleus since they
participate in cell division during the formation of spindle fibers that pull the chromatid
structure at the centromere.
Cytoskeleton is framework of the cell and provides internal support that maintains the
structure and appearance of the cell
Nucleus is the main control processing organelle of the cell as it contains hereditary
materials (DNA).
PROKARYOTIC EUKARYOTIC
BASIS
Bacteria Archea Plants Animals Fungi Protists
Cell Bilayer monolayer Bilayer
Membrane
Number of Unicellular Multi-cellular Unicellular or
cells multicellular
Cell Wall Present (cellulose) Present absent Present
(cellulose) (chitin)
Endoplasmic Absent Present
Reticulum
Golgi Absent Present
Apparatus
Mitochondria Absent Present
DNA Circular Linear

Plant and Animal Cell

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 Module 1 – Cell Theory, Ultrastructure and Types

LEARNING RESOURCES

Books

Rea, M.A., et. al., (2018) General Biology 1, First Ed. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City.
Rex Book Store, Inc.

Hoefnagels, M. (2016). General Biology (Books 1 & 2). United States of America.
McGrawHill Education.

Ramos, A.C.M. (2017). Exploring Life through Sciences: General Biology 1. Quezon
Ave., Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing House Inc.

Dela Pena, et. al., (2016). General Biology. Pasay City, Philippines. JFS Publishing
Services.

Images

Difference Between Plant and Animal Cell (2020). Byju’s Learning App.
https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-plant-cell-and-animal-cell/

Crowded Human Cell (Image). (2018). PhysOrg. https://phys.org/news/2018-06-

crowding-cells-functions-major-diseases.html

Cell Differentiation (Image). (2017) ICGSE Biology. http://igcse-biology

2017.blogspot.com/2017/06/25b-explain-importance-of-cell.html

ABOUT MODULE

Module Creator/Curator: Ms. Larisa Mae C. Agtay

Template and Layout Designer: Mr. Florence Somoria

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