Cell Structure

& Function

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 Definition of Cell

A cell is the smallest unit that is

capable of performing life
functions.
 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
 Cell theory
• (1839)Theodor Schwann & Matthias Schleiden
“ all living things are made of cells”

• (50 yrs. later) Rudolf Virchow

“all cells come from cells”
 Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of cells.
• Cells are the smallest working units of all
living things.
• All cells come from preexisting cells
through cell division.
 Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus

Plant Stem

Bacteria

Red Blood Cell

Nerve Cell
Cell Size
 Two Types of Cells

•Prokaryotic
•Eukaryotic
 Prokaryotic
• Do not have
structures
surrounded by
membranes
• Few internal
structures
• One-celled
organisms,
Bacteria

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 Prokaryotic Cells
• First cell type on earth
• Cell type of Bacteria and Archaea
 Eukaryotic
• Contain organelles surrounded by membranes
• Most living organisms
Plant Animal

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 “Typical” Animal Cell

http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif
 “Typical” Plant Cell

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
Cell Parts
Organelles
Surrounding the Cell
 Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls movement
in and out of the cell
• Double layer

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Cell Wall
• Most commonly found
in plant cells &
bacteria
• Supports & protects
cells

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Inside the Cell
 Nucleus

• Directs cell activities

• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear
membrane
• Contains genetic material - DNA
 Nuclear Membrane
• Surrounds nucleus
• Made of two layers
• Openings allow
material to enter and
leave nucleus

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 Chromosomes
• In nucleus
• Made of DNA
• Contain instructions
for traits &
characteristics

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 Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to build
proteins

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 Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• Contains hereditary material
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Moves materials around
in cell
• Smooth type: lacks
ribosomes
• Rough type (pictured):
ribosomes embedded in
surface

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 Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on ribosomes
& floating throughout
the cell

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 Mitochondria
• Produces energy through
chemical reactions –
breaking down fats &
carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and
other materials in cell
• Recycles and decomposes
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates

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 Golgi Bodies
• Protein 'packaging
plant'
• Move materials within
the cell
• Move materials out of
the cell

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 Lysosome
• Digestive 'plant' for
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
• Transports undigested
material to cell
membrane for removal
• Cell breaks down if
lysosome explodes

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 Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound
sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste
removal
• Contains water
solution
• Help plants maintain
shape

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 7. Plastids
• Plastids are also type of organelles that
are found only in Plant Cells.
• With double-layered membrane, these
organelles are found in cytoplasm of
the cells. They are of two types
(depending on the colour of the pigment
they contain);
• Leucoplasts: These colourless
organelles store starch or other plant
nutrients. For Example, Starch stores in
potato cells. Leucoplast are of different
types :
– Amyloplast: stores starch
– Elaioplast: stores fat
– Proteinoplast/ Aleuroplast: stores protein
• Chromoplasts: These contain different-coloured
pigments. Most important type of chromoplasts is
chloroplast which contain green-coloured pigments
called Chlorophyll.
• Function of Chloroplast: Chloroplasts are the sites
where photosynthesis takes place. Here, carbon dioxide
and water combine in the presence of energy from the
sunlight to produce food. Hence, chloroplasts help in
synthesis of food by green plants.
• CO2 + H2O → Glucose + Oxygen
• (in the presence of chlorophyll + sunlight)
 Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant
cells
• Contains green
chlorophyll
• Where photosynthesis
takes place

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