Lesson 2:

Cell Types, Cell Structure

and Functions
Joesilo C. Dulhao
Science Teacher
At the end of the lesson, I will be able to:
 Differentiate prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 Compare and contrast animal cells from plant cells.
 Describe the structure and function of major and
subcellular organelles
Are all cells the same?

What if yes? What will happen?

Basic Cell Types
Before we proceed, how do we classify
organisms?
 Motivation
 Think of the members of your
family and try to remember the
specific roles that they play in
your household.
 Do you think that each member
of your family is important?
 Are the specific roles of each
member of your
family/household necessary?
 What do you think will happen if
anyone of them will be missing?
 Cellular Components
• Just like your family, our cell is
composed of several "members"
which we call cellular
components.
• All of them must work in harmony
to maintain normal cell functions.
• Some cellular components are
unique to a particular cell type,
but some are common to all.
• Those structures are called
Organelles.
 Cellular Components
• Organelles are those organized
or specialized structures that are
found in a living cell.
• They could be enclosed in a
membrane or not.
• Several organelles are
commonly found in all types of
eukaryotic cells and there are
also those that are uniquely
found in certain types of
eukaryotic cells.
 Cell Parts
The 3 basic parts of the cell are:
1. Cell membrane or plasma membrane
– regulates the passage of materials into
and out of the cell
2. Cytoplasm – a gel-like substance
making up the cell’s internal
environment
3. Nucleus – a central genetic region
containing the genetic material in the
form of DNA that provides instructions to
make proteins, regulates activities, and
enables cells to reproduce.
 Cell Parts
The organelles are classified to:
1. Cell structures for protection
2. Genetic Control Organelles
3. Manufacturing, storage, distribution,
and breakdown of organelles
4. Energy-processing organelles
5. Organelles for structural support,
movement, and communication
between cells
1. Cell structures for protection
Plasma membrane/cell membrane
 a boundary separating an individual
cell from external environment.
 It is phospholipid bilayer consisting the
head and the tail.
 The head is composed of a charged
phosphate group and glycerol while
the tail is composed of two-fatty acids.
The head is hydrophilic (polar) which
allows the water to pass through
 The tail is hydrophobic (nonpolar)
which prohibits the water to pass
through the membrane.
1. Cell structures for protection

The membrane structures:

 Cholesterol – helps strengthen the

cell membrane, making it more
flexible but less fluid which makes the
membrane less permeable to water-
soluble substances
 Carbohydrates – serve as
identification tags, enabling the cells
to distinguish one type of cell from
another
1. Cell structures for protection
Membrane proteins:
 transport protein – help materials across the
membrane
 channel proteins – forms tunnels that help
cells to import or export needed materials
and wastes
 cell recognition proteins – distinguish own
cells from that of other organisms
 enzymatic proteins – participate in
degradative and synthetic reactions
 Cytoskeleton – act as muscle and skeleton to
maintain cell shape and motility
 junction proteins – assist cell-to-cell adhesion
and communication between cells
 receptor proteins – facilitate exchange of
signals
1. Cell structures for protection

 Cell wall – it is found in plant cells,

algae, fungi and bacteria that is a
rigid layer that gives protection, rigid
support and shape of the cell.
 Cytoplasm – it fills the space
between the cell membrane and the
nucleus. It contains cytosol – a fluid
portion consisting mainly of water. It is
where the cell organelles are
embedded.
2. Genetic Control Organelles
 Nucleus – storehouse of
genetic information in the
form of DNA. It controls all
the cellular activities. The
parts of the nucleus involve:
 nuclear envelope – covering
of the nucleus that
encloses the DNA
 nuclear pore – allow large
molecules to pass between
the nucleus and cytoplasm
 nucleolus – it assembles the
ribosomes and RNA
2. Genetic Control Organelles
 Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) –
long chain of molecules which can
be segmented into genes that
contain instructions for making
proteins. It is packed by a group of
proteins called histone forming a
chromatin that condenses to a
tightly coiled structure called
chromosome. DNA is the blueprint of
life.
 Ribosomes – where protein
synthesis occurs
3. Manufacturing, Storage, Distribution, and
Breakdown Organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum – interconnected

network of thin and folded membrane
that fills much of the large portion of the
cytoplasm. There are two types:
 rough endoplasmic reticulum – it has
ribosomes where proteins are
synthesized
 smooth endoplasmic reticulum – it
does not contain ribosomes but it is
responsible for the production of lipids
and breakdown drugs and alcohol
3. Manufacturing, Storage, Distribution, and
Breakdown Organelles

 Golgi Apparatus – also known as Golgi body or

Golgi Complex, it is where proteins are
processed, sorted, and delivered. It contains
enzymes that further modify the proteins.
 Vesicles – organelles that are physically
interconnected with each other by means of
membranes or by the transfer of materials
through vesicles. It can be categorized as
storage, transport or secretory vesicles.
 Lysosomes – contains powerful digestive
enzymes and chemicals that can breakdown
materials in the cell.
3. Manufacturing, Storage, Distribution,
& Breakdown Organelles
 Vacuoles – a fluid-filled sac for the
storage of materials needed by the cell
that includes water, food molecules,
inorganic ions and enzymes. In plans, it
contains toxins to protect them from
predators.

 Peroxisomes – contains digestive enzymes

for breaking down toxins and alcohol.
4. Energy-Processing Organelles
 Mitochondria – supplies energy  Plastids/chloroplast – help plants to convert
to the cell called Adenosine solar energy to chemical energy through
Triphosphate (ATP). photosynthesis. It includes several parts
thylakoids, granum, stroma, outer and inner
membrane.
5. Organelles for Structural Support, Movement,
and Communication Between Cells

 Centrosome – a small dense region

of cytoplasm that serves as the main
microtubule organizing center
(MTOC). It contains the centrioles
that form spindle fibers.
 Centrioles – are cylinder-shaped
organelles made of nine triplets of
short microtubules arranged in a
ring. It also forms cilia and flagella.
5. Organelles for Structural Support, Movement,
and Communication Between Cells

 Cilia and Flagella –

locomotory
projections. They
allow the cells to
move. Cilia look like
hairs and move in
coordinated
fashion. Flagella
looks like a tail for
swimming.
5. Organelles for Structural Support, Movement,
and Communication Between Cells

 Cytoskeleton – provides
mechanical support and serves as
flexible network of framework. It has
three types:
 Microtubules – a lengthy and
thickest among the filaments. It
gives shape of the cell and serves
as an anchorage. It also acts as a
track for the movement of vesicles.
It forms spindle fibers during cell
division.
5. Organelles for Structural Support, Movement,
and Communication Between Cells

 Intermediate filament – rope-like in

appearance. It gives tensile strength
and ability to stretch without
breaking apart. It is present in skin,
claws, hairs, and feathers of animals.

 Microfilaments or actin filaments –

thinnest among the cytoskeleton.
These are tiny flexible filaments that
provide protective meshwork under
the plasma membrane. They allow
muscles to contract and relax.
5. Organelles for Structural Support, Movement,
and Communication Between Cells
 Cell surfaces and Junction – cells are joined
together by structures called junctions. Adjacent
cells in plants function in coordinated way by
communicating through numerous channels. It is
used to share water, nutrient, and chemical
messages. Extracellular matrix act as a glue to bind
the cells together in tissues and provide mechanical
strength.
 Tight junctions – join two cells tightly together to
form a leak-proof sheet.
 Adhesion junction – act like screws together with
cytoskeletal fibers to form string sheets
 Gap junctions – allow small molecules to flow
between neighboring cells.
 Varieties of Cells in the Body
Cell Function
Hepatocytes Found in the liver that detoxify
drugs
Nerve cells Facilitates transmission of
messages for the brain to
function
Sperm cell Male reproductive gamete
Egg cell Female reproductive gamete
RBC Transports oxygen
WBC Produce antibodies to fight
infections
Muscle cells For movement

Gland cells Produce and secrete hormones

 References
RAMOS, Anna Cherylle M., et.al. (2017). Exploring Life Through
Science Series. General Biology 1. Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
pp 53 - 90