Biotechnology

Quarter 1 Module 1
Cell Function
Topics:
Cell Theory
Cell Part
Cell Function
• PLANT AND
• ANIMAL
CELL PARTS
 Plant Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Cell Wall • Cell membrane
• It is a rigid layer which is • It is the semi-permeable
composed of polysaccharides membrane that is present within
cellulose, pectin and the cell wall. It is composed of a
hemicellulose. thin layer of protein and fat.
 Plant Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Nucleus • Nucleolus
• • The nucleus is a membrane- • It manufactures cells’ protein-
bound structure that is present producing structures and
only in eukaryotic cells. The vital ribosomes.
function of a nucleus is to store • Nuclear membrane is
DNA or hereditary information perforated with holes called
required for cell division, nucleopore that allow proteins
metabolism and growth. and nucleic acids to pass
through.
• Nucleopore
 Plant Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Plastids • Chloroplasts

• They are membrane-bound • It is an elongated organelle enclosed

by phospholipid membrane. The
organelles that have their own chloroplast is shaped like a disc and
DNA. They are necessary to the stroma is the fluid within the
store starch and to carry out the chloroplast that comprises a circular
process of photosynthesis. It is DNA. Each chloroplast contains a
also used in the synthesis of green coloured pigment called
many molecules, which form the chlorophyll required for the process of
photosynthesis. The chlorophyll
building blocks of the cell. absorbs light energy from the sun and
uses it to transform carbon dioxide
and water into glucose.
 Plant Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Central Vacuole • Golgi Apparatus
• It occupies around 30% of the • They are found in all eukaryotic cells,
cell’s volume in a mature plant which are involved in distributing
synthesised macromolecules to
cell. Tonoplast is a membrane various parts of the cell.
that surrounds the central
vacuole. The vital function of the •
central vacuole apart from • Ribosomes
storage is to sustain turgor • They are the smallest membrane-
pressure against the cell wall. The bound organelles which comprise RNA
central vacuole consists of cell and protein. They are the sites for
sap. It is a mixture of salts, protein synthesis, hence, also referred
to as the protein factories of the cell.
enzymes and other substances.
 Plant Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Mitochondria • Lysosome
• They are the double- • Lysosomes are called suicidal
membraned organelles found in bags as they hold digestive
the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic enzymes in an enclosed
cells. They provide energy by membrane. They perform the
breaking down carbohydrate function of cellular waste
and sugar molecules, hence they disposal by digesting worn-out
are also referred to as the organelles, food particles and
“Powerhouse of the cell foreign bodies in the cell. In
plants, the role of lysosomes is
undertaken by the vacuoles.
 Animal Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Nucleus • Cell Membrane
• It is an organelle that contains • A thin semipermeable membrane
several other sub-organelles such as layer of lipids and proteins
nucleolus, nucleosomes and surrounding the cell. Its primary
chromatins. It also contains DNA role is to protect the cell from its
and other genetic materials. surrounding. Also, it controls the
• entry and exit of nutrients and
other microscopic entities into the
• Nuclear Membrane cell. For this reason, cell
• It is a double-membrane structure membranes are known as semi-
that surrounds the nucleus. It is also permeable or selectively permeable
referred to as the nuclear envelope. membranes.
 Animal Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Centrosome • Cytoplasm
• Lysosome • A jelly-like material which contains all the
• They are round organelles cell organelles, enclosed within the cell
surrounded by a membrane and membrane. The substance found within
comprising digestive enzymes the cell nucleus, contained by the nuclear
which help in digestion, excretion membrane is called the nucleoplasm.
and in the cell renewal process. •
• It is a small organelle found near • Golgi Apparatus
the nucleus, which has a thick • A flat, smooth layered, sac-like organelle
centre with radiating tubules. which is located near the nucleus and
involved in manufacturing, storing,
The centrosomes are where packing and transporting the particles
microtubules are produced. throughout the cell.
 Animal Cell Parts and Descriptions
• Mitochondrion • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
• They are spherical or rod-shaped • This cellular organelle is composed
organelles with a double membrane. of a thin, winding network of
They are the powerhouse of a cell as membranous sacs originating from
they play an important role in the nucleus.
releasing energy.
•
•
• Ribosome • Vacuole
• They are small organelles made up of • A membrane-bound organelle
RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules, and present inside a cell involved in
they are the sites of protein maintaining shape and storing
synthesis. water, food, wastes, etc.
• PLANT AND
ANIMAL
CELL TYPES
What are different types of • Those three types of plant cells we
plant cells? Well we have have are:
three types of plant cells. • Collenchyma Cells
They are hard or rigid cells, which play a primary role in providing support
to the plants when there is restraining growth in a plant due to lack of
hardening agent in primary walls.

Sclerenchyma Cells
These cells are more rigid compared to collenchyma cells and this is
because of the presence of a hardening agent. These cells are usually
found in all plant roots and mainly involved in providing support to the
plants.

Parenchyma Cells
Parenchyma cells play a significant role in all plants. They are the living
cells of plants, which are involved in the production of leaves. They are
also involved in the exchange of gases, production of food, storage of
organic products and cell metabolism. These cells are typically more
flexible than others because they are thinner.
We also have different types • Those common animal cell types we
of animal cells. There are have are:
numerous animal cell types • Parenchyma Cells
• Thin walls which allows passage of substances.
although we will only
mention the common ones. • Collenchyma Cells
• Corners of the walls are thickened while the rest are thin;they are for
support and can also allow passage of substances.

• Sclerenchyma Cells
• Walls are uniformly thick. Gives rigidity and strength to the cell for
support.

• Skin Cells
• For covering or lining surfaces, flat and arranged into sheet.

• Ciliated Surface Cells

• Line our windpipe have hair like projections, helps in removing dust
particles from air we inhale.

• White Blood Cells

• Engulfs disease organisms that enter our body.

• Red Blood Cells

• Non-nucleated to carry more oxygen.
.
• PLANT AND
ANIMAL CELL
FUNCTIONS
 Plant Cell Functions
Plant cells are the building blocks of plants. Photosynthesis is
the major function performed by plant cells.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of the plant cell. It is

the process of preparing food by the plants, by utilising sunlight,
carbon dioxide and water. energy is produced in the form of atp
in the process.

A few plant cells help in the transport of water and nutrients

from the roots and leaves to different parts of the plants.
 Animal Cell Functions
Animal cells are the basic functions and structural units that
make up the animal tissues and organs.

An animal cell is a type of eukaryotic cell that lacks a cell wall

and has a true, membrane-bound nucleus along with other
cellular organelles.

Just like plant cells, they comprise cell organelles like

mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, golgi bodies,
ribosomes, etc. However, animal cells distinguish themselves
from plant cells in having no cell wall. It means animal cells are
contained inside a cell membrane
Get to know more about
plant and animal cells!
A plant cell is a eukaryotic cell that
contains a true nucleus and certain
organelles to perform specific functions.
However, some of the organelles
present in plant cells are different from
other eukaryotic cells.

The organelles found only in plant cells

include- chloroplast, cell wall, plastids,
and a large central vacuole. The
chloroplasts contain a green pigment
chlorophyll that is responsible for the
process of photosynthesis.
The cell is the structural and functional
unit of life. These cells differ in their
shapes, sizes and their structure as they
have to fulfil specific functions. Plant
cells and animal cells share some
common features as both are eukaryotic
cells.

However, they differ as animals need to

adapt to a more active and non-
sedentary lifestyle. Furthermore, animals
need to acquire their own food,
therefore, they do not possess any of the
specialized cell organelles such as
chloroplasts.
• CELL THEORY
• Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann gave the Cell theory.
Matthias Schleiden, a German Botanist, discovered that all plants were made of cells in 1838.
In 1839, Theodor Schwann, a British Zoologist, discovered that all animals are made of cells.
This, in short, was called ‘Cell theory’
• Rudolf Virchow expanded the cell theory.
The main principles of cell theory
All living organisms are made of cells
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living beings
All cells arise from pre-existing cells
• Robert Hooke
• Was the first to identify cells and responsible for naming them.

• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

• Was the first to observe nucleus. Made better lenses and observed
cells in better detail.