Hooke in 1665.

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,.

Animal Cell Structure:

Animal cells are eukaryotic cells, with the presence of true nucleus; multicellular
large and advanced membrane bound organelles. Like plant cells, animal cells
have same organelles except the cell wall, chloroplasts, number of vacuoles and
many more. Due to the absence of cell wall the shape of an animal cell is
irregular. Animal cells are enclosed by a plasma membrane and containing a membrane-
bound nucleus and organelles. .

Function of Cell:

 Cell wall: It helps in protecting the plasma membrane and plays a vital role in
supporting and protecting the cells. It is a thick outer layer made of cellulose.
 Cell membrane: All animal cells are surrounded by a protective membrane which is
called as cell-membrane or plasma membrane. It is also called as cytoplasmic
membrane. Plasma membrane is a thin, elastic and semi-permeable membrane. the
function of cell membrane is a natural protective boundary around the cell.
 Cytoplasm: It is a membrane, which protects the cell by keeping the cell organelles
separate from each other. This helps to keep a cell in stable. Cytoplasm is the site,
where many vital biochemical reactions take place.
 Nucleus: They are the membrane bound organelles, which are found in all eukaryotic
cells. It is the very important organelle of a cell as it controls the complete activity of
a cell and also plays a vital role in reproduction.
 Nuclear membrane: The bilayer membrane, which protects the nucleus by
surrounding around it and acts as a barrier between the cell nucleus and other organs
of a cell.
 Nucleolus: It is an important membrane found inside the nucleus. It plays a vital role
in the production of cell’s ribosome.
Chromosomes: It is made up of DNA and stored in the nucleus, which contains the
instructions for traits and characteristics. (Chroma = Colour, Soma = body)

 Endoplasmic reticulum: It helps in the movement of materials around the cell. It

contains an enzyme that helps in building molecules and in manufacturing of proteins.
The main function of this organelle is storage and secretion.
 Ribosome: It plays a vital role in protein synthesis.
 Mitochondria: They are double membrane, filamentous organelles, which play a
vital role in generating and transforming the energy. Mitochondria play a vital role in
various functions of the cell metabolisms including oxidative phosphorylation. these
are rod like structure. it is called as “Power House” of cell.
 Golgi Bodies: It helps in the movement of materials within the cell.
  Lysosomes: It is also called as suicidal bags as it helps in cell renewal and break
down old cell parts.
 Vacuoles: It helps plants in maintaining its shape and it also stores water, food,
wastes, etc.
 Chloroplast: They are the site of photosynthesis, which are present in
chlorophyll bacteria, blue-green algae, etc.

Organisation of Cell

 Cells contain a variety of internal structures called organelles

 An organelle is a cell component that performs a specific function in that cell
 Just as the organs of a multicellular organism carry out the organism’s life functions,
the organelles of a cell maintain the life of the cell
 There are many different cells; however, there are certain features common to all cells
 The entire cell is surrounded by a thin cell membrane
 All membranes have the same thickness and basic structure
 Organelles often have their own membranes too – once again, these membranes have
a similar structure
 The nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplasts all have double membranes, more
correctly called envelopes
Because membranes are fluid mosaics, the molecules