THE CELL

THE CELL
 The cell was discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665,
who named the biological unit for its resemblance to
cells inhabited by Christian monks in a monastery.
 Cell theory, first developed in 1839 by Matthias

Jakob Schleiden and Theodor Schwann, states that

all organisms are composed of one or more cells,
that cells are the fundamental unit of structure and
function in all living organisms, that all cells come
from preexisting cells, and that all cells contain the
hereditary information necessary for regulating cell
functions and for transmitting information to the
next generation of cells.
THE CELL
 Cell can be defined as the structural and functional
unit of life.
 It could also be describe as the simplest and basic

unit of life in which are living organism are made of

cells.

 The cell (from Latin cella, meaning "small room") is

the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of
all known living organisms.
 A cell is the smallest unit of life that can replicate

independently, and cells are often called the

"building blocks of life".
 The study of cells is called cell biology. A cell is the

smallest unit of life that can replicate independently,

and cells are often called the "building blocks of life"
THE CELL
 A cell consist of living material called protoplasm, which is

surrounded by a membrane called the plasma membrane. In

plants, a cell wall is also surrounding the plasma membrane.
 The protoplasm is made up of two major parts;

a) The Cytoplasm b)Nucleus

 The cytoplasm consists of the cell organelles, which are cellular

structures with specific functions.

 The cells which contain a nucleus and organelles are called

eukaryotic cells( these show a higher level of organization).

 Some cells lack definite nucleus and organelles, they are known as

prokaryotic cells (eg bacteria).

 Nucleus is the largest cellular organelle enclosed by a double

layered nuclear membrane with many pores. It contains nucleolus

and chromosomes which are rich in proteins and nucleic acids.
 Organisms can be classified as unicellular (consisting of a single

cell; including bacteria) or multicellular (including plants and

animals).
 While the number of cells in plants and animals varies from species

to species, humans contain more than 10 trillion (1012) cells. Most

plant and animal cells are visible only under a microscope, with
HISTORY OF CELL
Many scientist have contributed to the distribution of history of cell which
are listed below;
 Robert Hooke: He is regarded as the father of cell. He was the first

human being to discover the honey comb structure of the cell in 1665. In
his book, Micrographic, he described his observation of a slice of a cork of
an oak tree. He established that the cork is made up of thin components
or rooms which he later named the components of cells.

 Felix Dujardin: He was a French biologist in 1835, which he discovered

that the cell was made up of living substance. He however named the
living substance protoplasm.

 Matthias Schledien: He is also a German botanist in 1838 revealed that

the bodies of plants are made of cells which were described as units of
life.

 Theodore Schwann: He was also a German zoologist in 1839; He

discovered that the bodies of all animals are composed of cells.

 Rudolf Von Virchow: He was also a German biologist in 1855, concluded

in his research that all cells come from previously existing cells.
CELL THEORY
The cell theory is stated below;
 The cell is the structural and functional unit of life.

 All living organisms are made of cells

 All cells come from previously existing cells.

 There is no life apart from the life of cells.

 All living things are either single cells or multicellular

cell.

TYPES OF CELL
Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and
departments that work towards a common objective.
Various types of cells perform different functions. Based
on cellular structure, there are two types of cells:
 Prokaryotes

 Eukaryotes
CELL ORGANELLES
CELL STRUCTURE FUNCTION
ORGANELL
E
Cell A double membrane Provides shape, protects
Membrane composed of lipids and the inner organelles of the
proteins. Present both in cell and acts as a
plant and animal cells. selectively permeable
membrane.
Centrosome Composed of centrioles and It plays a major role in
s found only in the animal organizing the microtubule
cells. and cell division.
Chloroplast Present only in plant cells Sites of photosynthesis.
and contains a green-
coloured pigment known as
chlorophyll.
Cytoplasm A jelly-like substance, which Responsible for the cell’s
consists of water, dissolved metabolic activities.
nutrients and waste
products of the cell.
Endoplasmic A network of membranous Forms the skeletal
Reticulum tubules, present within the framework of the cell,
cytoplasm of a cell. involved in the
CELL ORGANELLES
CELL STRUCTURE FUNCTION
ORGANELLE

Golgi Membrane-bound, sac-like It is mainly involved in

Apparatus organelles, present within secretion and intracellular
the cytoplasm of the transport.
eukaryotic cells.

Lysosomes A tiny, circular-shaped, Helps in the digestion and

single membrane-bound removes wastes and digests
organelles, filled with dead and damaged cells.
digestive enzymes. Therefore, it is also called
as the “suicidal bags”.

Mitochondria An oval-shaped, The main site of cellular

membrane-bound respiration and also
organelle, also called as involved in storing energy
the “Powerhouse of The in the form of ATP
Cell”. molecules.
Nucleus The largest, double Controls the activity of the
membrane-bound cell, helps in cell division
organelles, which contains and controls the hereditary
all the cell’s genetic characters.
CELL ORGANELLES
CELL STRUCTURE FUNCTION
ORGANELLE

Ribosomes Non-membrane Involved in the synthesis of

organelles, found floating proteins.
freely in the cell’s
cytoplasm or embedded
within the endoplasmic
reticulum.
Vacuoles A membrane-bound, fluid- Provide shape and rigidity
filled organelle found to the plant cell and help in
within the cytoplasm. digestion, excretion, and
storage of substances.

Plastids Double membrane-bound Helps in the process of

organelles. There are 3 photosynthesis and
types of plastids: pollination, imparts colour
Leucoplast –Colourless to leaves, flowers, fruits
plastids. and stores starch, proteins
Chromoplast–Blue, red, and fats.
and yellow colour plastids.
Chloroplast – Green
TYPES OF CELL
PROKARYOTIC CELLS
 Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Instead, some

prokaryotes such as bacteria have a region within

the cell where the genetic material is freely
suspended. This region is called the nucleoid.
 They all are single-celled microorganisms. Examples

include archaea, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.

 The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in diameter.

 The hereditary material can either be DNA or RNA.

 Prokaryotes generally reproduce by binary fission, a

form of asexual reproduction. They are also known

to use conjugation – which is often seen as
the prokaryotic equivalent to sexual reproduction
(however, it is NOT sexual reproduction).
TYPES OF CELL
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
 Eukaryotic cells are characterised by a true nucleus.

 The size of the cells ranges between 10–100 µm in

diameter.
 This broad category involves plants, fungi,

protozoans, and animals.

 The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring

the transport of nutrients and electrolytes in and out

of the cells. It is also responsible for cell to cell
communication.
 They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.

 There are some contrasting features between plant

and animal cells. For eg., the plant cell contains

chloroplast, central vacuoles, and other plastids,
whereas the animal cells do not.
TYPES OF CELL
TYPES OF CELL
TYPES OF CELL
PLANT AND ANIMAL CELL
PLANT AND ANIMAL CELL
Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cell Shape Square or rectangular in Irregular or round in

shape shape

Cell Wall Present Absent

Plasma/Cell Present Present

Membrane

Endoplasmic Present Present

Reticulum

Nucleus Present and lies on one Present and lies in the

side of the cell centre of the cell

Lysosomes Present but are very Present

rare

Golgi Apparatus Present Present

PLANT AND ANIMAL CELL
Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cytoplasm Present Present

Ribosomes Present Present

Plastids Present Absent

Vacuoles Few large or a single, Usually small and

centrally positioned numerous
vacuole

Nucleus Present and lies on one

side of the cell

Mitochondria Present but fewer in Present and are

number numerous