UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY
reproduction of organisms.
DISCOVERY OF THE CELL
Cells
• Can be only observed with microscope
because of their small size.
• Spectacles microscope were first made
in Europe in the 13th century.
• First compound (double-lens) light
microscopes were constructed by the
end of 16th century.
Robert Hooke
• First to discover the cell by observing a
thin slice of cork under microscope.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
• First to examine a drop of pond water
under microscope and observed
animalcules (an old term for a
microscopic organisms that included
bacteria, protozoans, and very small
animals).
• First to describe various bacteria
obtained from soaked pepper and teeth
scrapings.
Matthias Schleiden
• In 1838, he concluded that plants were
made of cells and that plant embryos
arose from a single cell.
• In 1839, he published a comprehensive
report on the cellular basis of animal
life.
Tenets of Cell theory
Theodor Schwann’s proposed the first two
tenets of cell theory:
1. All organisms are composed of one or
more cells
2. The cell is the structural unit of life.
Rudolf Virchow
• In 1855, he proposed the third tenets of
cell theory.
3. Cells arise only by division from a pre-
existing cell.
• Derived from his famous aphorism
“omnis cellulae a cellula” (all cells arise
from pre-existing cells) established that
cell division is the phenomenon in the
TENETS OF CELL THEORY AND MODERN
VERSION OF CELL THEORY
TENETS OF CELL MODERN VERSION
THEORY OF CELL THEORY
All organisms are The properties of a
composed of one or given organism
more cells depend on those of
its individual cell
The cell is the Cells are
structural unit of life morphological and
physiological unit of
all living organisms
The smallest unit of
life is the cell
Cells arise only by Cells originate only
division from a pre- from other cells and
existing cell. continuity is
maintained through
genetic material.
UNIVERSAL FEATURES OF THE CELL
Cells vary enormously in appearance and
function
• Wide variety of shapes and sizes
• Enormously diverse in their chemical
requirements and function
o Photosynthesis – cells that
contains green chlorophyll
o Spiral thickenings – give
strength to water-conducting
vessels
o Highly branched cells of human
neuron – conduct electric
potentials
Universal features of the Cell
1. Cell structure is highly complex and
organized structurally
• It is highly complex because it is
composed of several parts
• It is structurally-organized
because it maintains systematic
process of cellular machinery –
meaning it has less tolerance for
mgutierrez
 errors and more control exerted behavior through activation of
to the nature and interactions of specific feedback mechanism to
the parts. return the cell to the
2. Cell stores their hereditary information appropriate state.
in the form of DNA • Feedback mechanism happens
• Basis of phenotypic features is when there is a signal coming
the DNA from the plasma membrane
3. Cell has the potential to reproduce towards the nucleus.
• Cell cycle (G1 Phase to • Nucleus will produce RNA and
Cytokinesis) protein that is used for
4. Cell acquires and utilizes energy regulation. In the process of
• Acquires and utilizes energy transcription, regulation takes
based on its metabolic place. *Post-transcriptional
pathways. modification*
5. Cell engages in metabolism • Regulation also happens in golgi
• Since cells requires energy, they apparatus *Post-translational
engage in metabolic processes, modification*
starting with – monosaccharides
or fatty acids, or other
molecules that can enter the
metabolic pathway to generate HYPOTHESES ON ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF
energy. LIFE
• Energy generation happens in
mitochondria for animals and
microorganisms while
chloroplasts for plants.
6. Cell engages in mechanical activities
• Phagocytosis of bacteria within
Where did the first cells come from?
the cell
• Researchers believe that appearance of
• Presence of flagella and cilia on
cells involved four phases of evolution:
microorganisms for movement.
1. Initial generation of key organic
7. Cell senses and responds to changes in
molecules of life by non-biological
environment
process
• Cells are covered with receptors
o Conversion of inorganic
found on their plasma
molecules (CO2, CH4, NH3, H2,
membrane or cell walls
H2S, HCN, Water Vapor) to
• These receptors are highly
organic molecules depending on
specific that can detect:
the environment.
Hormones, growth factors,
o Stanley Miller (1953) – provided
extracellular materials, and
the first evidence that organic
substances on the surfaces of
molecules could be formed from
other cells.
inorganic components.
8. Cell is capable of self-regulation
2. Transition of prebiotic chemistry to
• Cells are usually called robust
replicating systems
machineries because they are
o RNA world hypothesis -
protected from dangerous
production of single-stranded
fluctuations in composition and
RNA followed by double-

mgutierrez
 stranded RNA and the self-
replicating RNA (precursors of
life):
1. Formation of self-replicating RNA
2. Mechanism for protein synthesis by
an RNA
3. Assembly of lipid membrane to
enclose self-replicating RNA and
protein
3. Mechanisms evolved for interconverting
energy from chemical sources and
sunlight into forms that can be utilized to
drive biochemical reactions
o Metabolism-first theory: self-
sustaining networks of ordered
chemical reactions, and not
replication was the initial form
that led to “life” – there is a
reverse reaction of metabolism
that is why there are production
of key molecules to produce by
a macromolecules.
4. Evolution of mechanism that allowed
cells to adjust their biochemistry to
different, and often changing
environments.
o Production of protein, the first
bacteria etc.
CLASSIFICATION OF CELLS
• Distinguished by size & type of
organelles present.
Prokaryotes (pro– means “before” –karyon
means “nucleus”)
• Consist of a single closed compartment
surrounded by a plasma membrane
• Lacks nucleus but has nucleoid
• Relatively simple internal organization
• Bacteria and Archaea
Eukaryotes (eu– means “true”, –karyon means
“nucleus”)
• Contain defined membrane-bound
nucleus
• Extensive internal membranes
• Defined nucleus
• Plants, animals, fungi, algae, and
protozoa
Common features of both cell types
1. Genetic information encoded in DNA
using identical genetic code
2. Similar mechanisms for transcription
and transcription and translation of
genetic information, including similar
ribosomes but different initiation site.
3. Shared metabolic pathways such as
glycolysis – because of mitochondria
4. Similar apparatus for conservation of
chemical energy as ATP (located in the
plasma membrane of prokaryotes and
mitochondrial membrane of eukaryotes)
5. Similar mechanisms of photosynthesis
(between cyanobacteria and green
plants)
6. Plasma membrane of similar
construction – same lipid composition
7. Similar mechanism for synthesizing and
inserting membrane proteins towards
the plasma membrane
8. Proteasome of similar construction
Prokaryotic Cells
Types of Prokaryotic Cells:
1. Archaeabacteria (ancient/old bacteria)
mgutierrez
 • Lives in extremely inhospitable
environments
• Extremophiles: methanogens (methane-
formers), halophiles (salt-lovers),
acidophiles (acid-lovers), thermophiles
(extreme heat-lovers)
2. Eubacteria
• Includes mycoplasma (smallest known
cells) and cyanobacteria (most complex
known prokaryotes)
Structure of Prokaryotic Cells
Two definite membranes in a bacterial cell:
• Cell wall and plasma membrane
Interior of the cell consists of cytoplasm and
nucleoid region
• Ribosomes are present in the cytoplasm
• Water, various RNAs, proteins (including
enzymes) and small molecules also filled
the cytoplasm.
• Flagella – hair-like projections are
present (attached with the plasma
membrane)
Membranes in Bacterial Cell
• Cell wall – outer layer membrane, rigid
and serves as mechanical support. It is
made up of polysaccharides, lipids and
protein molecules.
• Porin – act as channels that allow
diffusion of solutes
• Plasma membrane – the inner
membrane; a lipoprotein structure
which serves as a molecular barrier.
Some enzymes involved in respiratory
chain and photosystems maybe present.
• Periplasmatic space – sandwich
between the cell and plasma membrane
NUCLEOID REGION
• The genetic material lies in the
nucleoid
• A poorly demarcated region
of the cell
• Lacks a boundary
membrane to separate it
from the cytoplasm
• A bacterial chromosome is a single
circular molecule of naked DNA –
anchored to plasma membrane
• Presence of plasmid – a small
extrachromosomal circular DNA that
has an antibiotic resistance
sequence.
FLAGELLUM AND PILI
Flagellum propels the cell in its surrounding;
used for movement of bacteria
• Made up of a single fibril attached to the
cell through its hook and basal body
Pili are sexual appendages used for bacterial
conjugation. They are used by cells to sticks to
the surface of other cells.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
Types of eukaryotic cells:
1. Protists – unicellular; most complex
eukaryotic cells: the whole system acts
as one
2. Multicellular organisms (higher
organisms) – have different cell types for
different functions; exhibit
differentiation
Structure of Eukaryotic Cells
• More complex
• Presence of nucleus
o Possess a number of separate
with chromosomes
• Filled with diverse structures
mgutierrez
 o Membrane-bound organelles • Happens inside nucleus
o Cytoplasmic membranes 10. Presence of two copies of genes per cell,
o Other structures that lack one from each parent
surrounding membranes
• Happens during cellular division
11. Presence of three different RNA
synthesizing enzymes
12. Sexual reproduction requiring meiosis
and fertilization

STRUCTURES IN EUKARYOTES
Main Subcomponents Main function
Components
Cell Membrane Cell wall Protection
Cell coat Cell interaction
Plasma Permeability,
membrane endocytosis &
exocytosis
Nucleus Chromatin & Genetic
Comparison of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Chromosomes information
FEATURES ONLY FOUND TO EUKARYOTES Nucleolus system
1. Division of cell into nucleus and Nucleoplasm
cytoplasm, separated by a nuclear Cytoplasm Soluble Glycolysis
matrix, cytosol, enzymes Cell shape and
envelope containing complex pore Cytoskeleton Microfilaments motility
structure. Microtubules Protein
2. Complex chromosomes composed of Ribosomes synthesis
Endomembrane Nuclear Nuclear
DNA and associated proteins that are System envelope permeability
capable of compacting into mitotic Rough and Synthesis and
structures. smooth ER transport of
Golgi complex materials
3. Complex membranous cytoplasmic Secretion
organelles Membrane Mitochondria Cell respiration
Organelles Chloroplasts Photosynthesis
4. Specialized cytoplasmic organelles for
Lysosomes Digestion
aerobic respiration and photosynthesis Peroxisomes Peroxidation
• Mitochondria Microtubular Centrioles and Cell division
organelles spindle Cell motility
5. Complex cytoskeletal system and Basal bodies,
associated motor proteins cilia and flagella

6. Complex flagella and cilia

7. Ability to ingest fluid and particulate
material by enclosure within plasma
membrane vesicles.
8. Cellulose-containing cell wall
• Found in plant cells
9. Cell division using microtubule-
containing mitotic spindle that
separates chromosomes.

mgutierrez
mgutierrez