PLANT PHYSIOLOGY &

BIOCHEMISTRY
Topic no. 1:

Cell History: Cell theory, Cell biology, Structure and function of

cell, Microscopic view of cell, function related to Structure.
Introduction to the Cells:
Discovery of Cells:
 Robert Hooke (1665): observed a thin
slice of cork (dead plant cells) with a
microscope. He described what he
observed as “little boxes” (cells).
 Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1675): was
the first person to observe living 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.
What is the cell theory?

 All living things are composed of one or more cells.

 Cells are the basic structural and functional units for all organisms.
 Cells come only from pre-existing cells.
Cell Diversity:
 Size:

Smallest Cells Longest Cells Biggest Cells

Cont.……
 Shape:
Cells differ widely in shape.
Most cells are roughly cuboidal or spherical.
Cont.……
 Internal Organization:
Nucleus: contains DNA which
directs the activity of the cell.
Organelles: a cell components
that perform specific functions
in the cell.
 Constituents:
 Different substances that make a cell are collectively called Protoplasm.
 Protoplasm is composed of :-
 Water - 70-80% Water is present in cell.
 Carbohydrates
 Lipids
 Proteins
 Electrolyte - Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Calcium
(Ca2+), Phosphate , Chloride (Cl-), and Bicarbonate (HC03 - ).
 Function of cells:
 They provide structure and support.
 They facilitate growth through mitosis.
 Allow passive and active transport.
 Produce energy
 Create metabolic reactions
 Aid in reproduction
Types of cells:
Prokaryotes:
 Lack a nucleus or membrane-
bound structures.
 Circular DNA , no histones.
 Example: Bacteria
Eukaryotic Cell:
 Membrane bound Nucleus.
 Contains Cell Organelles.
 Linear DNA, Histones.
 Unicellular to multicellular.
 Example: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists
The Parts of the Cell:
Most eukaryotic cells have three main components:
 Cell Membrane
 Cytoskeleton
 Nucleus
Structure and Function of Organelles
Cell Membrane:
 Structure: phospholipid
bilayer with proteins that
function as channels,
markers, and receptors -
also contains cholesterol
which provides rigidity.
 Function: selectively
permeable boundary
between the cell and the
external environment.
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.
Nucleus:
 Structure: the nucleus is a
sphere that contains another
sphere called a nucleolus.
 Function: storage center of
cell’s DNA and manages cell
functions.
Cytoplasm:
 Structure: gelatin-like fluid
that lies inside the cell
membrane.
 Function: contains salts,
minerals and organic molecules.
 Surrounds the organelles.
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.
Ribosomes:
 Structure: consist of two
subunits made of protein and
RNA.
 Function: location of protein
synthesis.
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).
 Two types: –
 Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
cont.……
 Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (rER):
 Prominent in cells that make large
amounts of proteins to be exported from the
cell or inserted into the cell membrane.
 Covered with ribosomes.
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (sER):
Involved in the synthesis of lipids and
breakdown of toxic substances.
 Not covered with ribosomes
Golgi Apparatus:
 Structure: stacked flat sacs.
 Function: receives proteins from the
rER and distributes them to other
organelles or out of the cell (receiving,
processing, packaging, and shipping).
Mitochondria:
 Structure: folded membrane within
an outer membrane.
 The folds of the inner membrane are
called cristae.
 Function: converts energy stored in
food into usable energy for work.
Cellular respiration.
Lysosomes:
 Structure: spherical organelles that
contain hydrolytic enzymes within
single membranes.
 Function: breaks down food
particles, invading objects, or worn
out cell parts.
Peroxisomes:
 Structure: spherical organelles
that contain enzymes within single
membranes.
 Function: Degrade hydrogen
peroxide, a toxic compound that can
be produced during metabolism.
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
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).
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:
Chromoplasts Leucoplasts
Synthesize and store pigments Leucoplasts: store food such as
starches, proteins, and lipids.
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.
 Animal Cell:

Plant Cell: