CELL STRUCTURE

AND FUNCTION
All of the life processes of a living cell involve
transformation of energy and matter. The
source of this life energy is the molecules
undergoing chemical activities within the
cell. A living cell performs the following life
process
• Nutrition – process by which cells obtain food molecules to support their other
activities.
• Digestion – process by which food particles are broken down into smaller
soluble units suitable for cell use with the help of enzymes
• Absorption – process by which cells absorb water, minerals, and other materials
essential to life from their environment
• Biosynthesis – process by which all cells organize complex chemicals from
simple building units or substances
• Excretion – process by which by-products of all cell activities which are not
needed for further cell functioning are eliminated
• Egestion – process by which insoluble, non-digested particles are eliminated by
the cell
• Secretion – process by which substances that are synthesized by the cells are
expelled from the membrane. This elimination process helps in the functioning
of the body.
• Movement – process which includes the locomotion of cell by means of
special structures like cilia or flagella
• Irritability – process by which cells respond or react to external factors or
conditions around them. Cells can alter their functions in response to
changes their environment.
• Respiration – process of breaking down food molecules into chemical energy
needed by all cells in order to function
• Reproduction – process by which a cell copies or replicates its DNA and
increases its number by cell division. It gives rise to new cells as a result,
organisms grow.
All the cellular organelles are functioning
well in order to support life. There is no
least or more important part because all
are equally essential. Everybody will
suffer even if one organelle fails to
perform its function.
Nucleus – covered with a
membrane that allows
materials to pass in and out.
Often called as the control
center of the cell because it
contains DNA. The nucleolus
is where the ribosomes are
formed and this structure
can be found both in plants
and animals.
Cell membrane – a semi-permeable membrane that facilitate the movement
of molecules inside and outside the plant or animal cell. It allows only choses
substances to enter or leave cell which can protect the cell from harmful
substances.
The cell membrane is often pictured as fluid mosaic model. Fluidity becomes
its characteristic because its molecules are constantly moving. The
phospholipid molecules move sideways within the membrane. Since the
plasma membrane is fluid, it can seal itself if it is damaged or broken.
Cytoplasm – a viscous fluid or jelly like material where organelles are
embedded. Its jelly like feature secures the organelles in plants and animals
cell so that they remain in place.
Mitochondria – the power house of the cell
They produce energy a plant or animal cell needs to carry out its functions.
They are the centers of cellular respiration, a process in which energy-rich ATP
(Adenosine Triphosphate) that functions in energy storage and transfer is
produced.
Vacuole – storage area of the cell
Vacuole store water, food and waste. Animals have a very small vacuole while
plants as the producers through the process of photosynthesis have a big
central vacuole
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) – a series of tunnels throughout the cytoplasm.
They transport proteins from one part of the cell to another that is why they
are called as the transport center of the cell.
ER in plants and animal cell form a network of tiny canals through the cell.
These canals are formed by two parallel membranes. They connect the
nuclear membrane and the plasma membrane thus serving as passageway for
food substances.
Two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum
1. Smooth ER – ribosome free and functions in detoxification of lipids
2. Rough ER – contains ribosomes and releases newly made protein from the
cell
Ribosomes – protein factories
These are very essential since all the functions and processes in plant and
animal cell requires protein. Even all the organelles inside the cell are made up
of proteins making ribosomes very important
Golgi bodies – receive proteins and other compounds from the ER. They
package these materials and distribute them t the plant and animal parts of
the cell.
Lysosomes contains hydrolytic enzymes that can break things down.
Lysosomes pick up bacteria, food and old organelles in plant and animal cell
and break them into small pieces that can be reused.
Cytoskeleton a series of fibers made up of proteins. It provides structure to
the cell and gives it its shape.
Components of Cytoskeleton
• Microtubules – absent in plant cell, provides pathways for certain cellular
molecules to move about just as tracks are provided for railroad cars or
trains. It is also found in structures like the cilia and flagella which both aid in
movement.
• Cell that line your windpipe use cilia to sweep foreign materials from the lungs
• Sperm cells use flagella to move
• Involves in cell division as mitotic spindle
• Intermediate filaments – absent in plants. They are the most stable
components of cytoskeleton, they are found in durable structures such as
hair, scales and fingernails. They also help provide structure to the nuclear
envelope.
• Microfilaments – pipe-like structures and help provide shape and movement
for the cells
• Microfilaments are found in muscle cells
Cell wall – rigid organelle composed of cellulose that gives plant cell its box-
like shape. The cell wall consist of several distinct layers. The primary cell wall
is the outer layer, it expands as the cell grows. As the plant reaches its full size,
a secondary cell wall develops inside the primary cell wall. This new layer adds
strength to the wall. Two primary cell walls of adjacent cells are separated by
another layer, the middle lamella which is composed of a jelly like
polysaccharide called pectin. Both the primary and secondary walls are
composed mainly of polysaccharide cellulose which is commercially important
as the main component of paper and cotton. The secondary walls usually
contain lignin, a complex organic compound that adds hardness and rigidity to
cell walls.
Plastids – double membrane bound organelles found in plants. The storage of
plants pigment
• Types of Plastids
• Leucoplasts – colorless organelles that store starch
• Chromoplasts – contain colored pigments likes chloroplast
Centrioles – paired organelles found only in animal cell. They are located
together near the nucleus, at right angle to each other. They are essential in
building cilia and flagella and also as spindle fiber during cell division.