The document summarizes cell structure and function. It discusses the history of cell theory and key scientists who developed it. It then describes the structure and function of the main organelles in eukaryotic cells, including the cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton, ribosomes, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and cilia/flagella. It also compares the key differences between plant and animal cells.
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Cell Structure and Function
The document summarizes cell structure and function. It discusses the history of cell theory and key scientists who developed it. It then describes the structure and function of the main organelles in eukaryotic cells, including the cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton, ribosomes, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and cilia/flagella. It also compares the key differences between plant and animal cells.
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Cell Structure and Function
Prepared by Yousaf Khan
History of Cell Theory • mid 1600s – Anton van Leeuwenhoek – Improved microscope, observed many living cells • mid 1600s – Robert Hooke – Observed many cells including cork cells The Cell Theory • Who developed the cell theory? – Matthias Schleiden (1838): concluded that all plants are composed of cells – Theodor Schwann (1839): concluded that all animals are composed of cells – Rudolph Virchow (1855): determined that cells come only from other cells Cell Theory 1. All organisms consist of 1 or more cells. 2. Cell is the smallest unit of life. 3. All cells come from pre-existing cells. Light microscope • Specimen preparation normally takes a few minutes to few hours • Live or dead specimens may be seen • Light rays are used to illuminate the specimen • Light microscope has low resolving power i.e., below 0.25 μm to 0.30 μm. • It has a useful magnification of 500x to 1500x. • In light microscope the image formation depends upon of light absorption in different zones of the objects. Electron Microscopes • Specimen preparation often takes several days • Only dead and dried specimens can be seen • Good surface details (SEM) or internal details (TEM) can be seen. • Electron beam produced by the cathode is used • Electron microscope has high resolving power i.e., about 250 times more than light microscope. Thus it can resolve down to 0.0001 μm. • EM has direct magnification as high as 160,000x and photographic magnification is 1000,000x or more • In electron microscope, it is due to electron scattering Eukaryotes vs. Prokaryotes Eukaryotes (animals, plants, fungi, protozoa) and prokaryotes (bacteria) differ greatly in structure. Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
nucleus? NO (nucleoid) YES
membrane- NO YES (Many) bound size 1 - 10 mm 10 - 50 mm
cytoplasm? YES YES
cell membrane? YES YES
cell wall? Some Do Plants
ribosomes? YES YES
Circular DNA? Chromosomes in Nucleus Free Floating Plants, Animals, Fungi, examples Bacteria and Protists General characteristics of cell • Needs nutrition and oxygen • Produce its own energy • Eliminates carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste. • Maintains the medium • Show immediate response to the entry of invaders like bacteria or toxic substance into body. • Reproduces by division. Cell Structure The Structure and Function of the following organelles will be discussed: – Cell Membrane – Nucleus – Cell Wall – Cytoplasm – Cytoskeleton – Ribosomes – Endoplasmic Reticulum – Golgi Apparatus – Mitochondria – Lysosomes – Peroxisomes – Cilia and Flagella – Centrioles – Vacuoles – Plastids Cell Membrane • Protective sheath • Protein (55%), lipid (40%) and carbohydrates (5%) • Structure: phospholipid bilayer with proteins • Selective permeability, absorptive function, excretory function • Exchanges of gases and maintenance of shape and size of the cell Cell Wall • Structure: rigid wall made up of cellulose, proteins, and carbohydrates • Function: boundary around the plant cell outside of the cell membrane that provides structure and support Cytoplasm • Structure: gelatin-like fluid that lies inside the cell membrane • Function: -contains salts, minerals and organic molecules -surrounds the organelles Endoplasmic Reticulum • Structure: a system of membranous tubules and sacs • Function: intercellular highway (a path along which molecules move from one part of the cell to another) • Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Synthesis of proteins and degradation of worn out organelles
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Synthesis of lipids and steroids, role in cellular metabolism, storage and metabolism of calcium and catabolism and detoxification of toxic substance. Golgi Apparatus • Involved in the processing of protein, present in all cell except RBC. • Golgi body consists of 5 to 8 flattened membranous sac – sisternea. • Function: processing, packaging, labeling and delivery of protein and lipids Lysosomes • Formed by golgi apparatus, thickest covering membrane. • Hydrolytic enzyme • Primary lysosome- inactive lysosome • Secondary lysosomes – active lysosomes • Function: degradation of macromolecules, degradation of worn – out organelles, removal of excess of secretory product and secretion of perforin, granzymes, melanin and serotonin Peroxisomes • Microbodies are pinched off from endoplasmic reticulum • Contain some oxidative enzymes such as catalase, urate oxidase and D- amino acid oxidase. • Function: breakdown of excess fatty acids, detoxification of hydrogen peroxide and other metabolic products, oxygen utilization, acceleration of gloconeogenesis, degradation of purine to uric acid, role in the formation of myelin, role in the formation of bile acids. Centrioles • Structure: composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules arranged in a ring – Exist in pairs • Function: centrioles play a major role in cell division (mitosis) Mitochondria • Structure: folded membrane within an outer membrane – The folds of the inner membrane are called cristae • Function: production of energy, synthesis of ATP and initiation of apoptosis • Other function of mitochondria include storage of calcium and detoxification of ammonia in liver Ribosomes • With out limiting membrane, granular and small dot- like structure with diameter of 15 nm. • 35% protein and 65% ribonucleic acid. • Attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes • Function: synthesis of protein Cytoskeleton • Structure: a network of thin, fibrous elements made up of microtubules (hollow tubes) and microfilaments (threads made out of actin) • Function: -acts as a support system for organelles -maintains cell shape Nucleus • Structure: the nucleus is a sphere that contains another sphere called a nucleolus • Function: control of all activities of the cell, synthesis of RNA, sending genetic instruction to cytoplasm for protein synthesis, formation of subunits of ribosomes, control of cell division and storage of hereditary information in genes (DNA) Cilia and Flagella • Structure: hair-like organelles that extend from the surface of cells – When they are present in large numbers on a cell they are called cilia – When they are less numerous and longer they are called flagella – Both organelles are composed of nine pairs of microtubules arranged around a central pair. • Function: cell motility Vacuoles • Structure: a sac of fluid surrounded by a membrane – Very large in plants • Function: used for temporary storage of wastes, nutrients, and water Plastids • There are three types of plastids in plant cells: – Chloroplasts (discussed on next slide) – Chromoplasts: synthesize and store pigments – Leucoplasts: store food such as starches, proteins, and lipids Leucoplasts Chromoplasts Chloroplasts • Structure: stacked sacs (thylakoids) that contain chlorophyll surrounded by a double membrane • Function: photosynthesis (conversion of light energy to chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose) Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells • Animal cells are very similar to plant cells except for the following major differences: – Animal cells do not contain chloroplasts – Animal cells are not surrounded by cell walls – The vacuoles in plants are much larger than those of animals