Lesson 4- Cell Parts and Functions

Objective

In the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the different cell organelles and its functions.

Lesson Proper

Cell is the basic unit of life. All life forms are made up of cell. When Robert Hooke carefully examined a very
thin slice of cork, he thought the close-up view resembled small, empty rooms. He referred this tiny rooms as cells
(from the Latin word Cellulae, which means “small rooms”). A cell is made up of tiny organs called organelles that
perform specific functions. It is called organelle because it is like “little organs” that has its own function.

In 1830, German scientists Matthias Schleiden and Theodore Schwann summarized the findings of many
scientists and concluded that all living organisms are made of cells. This forms the basis of the cell theory. The cell
theory states that:

 All organisms are composed of cells

 The cell is the unit of structure and function of all living things
 Cell arise by division of preexisting cells, and they can be cultured to produced more cells into two ways:
outside the organism or cell (in vitro) or inside the organism or cell (in vivo)

Types of Cells Found in Living Things

Living things vary in terms of the number of cells they have. Some living things are multicellular or are
made up of many cells. Others are single-celled or unicellular.

Two types of cells compose living things. Some living things as in the case of bacteria and cyanobacteria
have prokaryotic cells (Pro = before; karyon = nucleus). These organisms are called prokaryotes. Prokaryotic cells
lack distinct nuclei and with few organelles that are not membrane-bound. In contrast, eukaryotic cells (Eu = true;
karyon = nucleus) have distinct nuclei and contain several membrane-bound organelles. Animals, plants, fungi, and
protists have eukaryotic cells, and they are called eukaryotes.
The Parts of a Typical Cell

Cells of eukaryotes are complex and highly organized. This is because of the presence of numerous and
varied structures called organelles. Organelles are small membrane-bound structures that perform specific functions
that make life possible. The functions of the organelles are much like the functions of the different organs in
multicellular organisms. Organelles exist in various shapes and sizes and are embedded or free-floating in the
cytoplasm

Organelle Structure Functions

Nucleus The spherical body that
is composed of The nucleus houses
organelles 7 to 10. DNA (the hereditary
material) as well as
various proteins and
the nucleolus.
Considered as “brain
of the cell” because
it directs all the
activities of the cell.
Mitochondrion It is a double-
membrane structure. Plural: Mitochondria.
The inner membrane is Mitochondria are
folded forming cristae. some of the largest
organelles within a
cell.
Also known as the
‘powerhouse of the
cell’
It is where the
energy of the cell,
the ATP (Adenosine
Triphosphate) is
produced.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are tiny
organelles (like
“dots”) that contain
RNA and specific
proteins within the
cytoplasm. Within
the cell, ribosomes
are directly involved
in the manufacture of
proteins.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum The network of

channels is composed Unlike the smooth
of a single-membrane Endoplasmic
that may be bumpy if Reticulum (ER),
contains ribosomes rough ER has
(RER) or (SER) if does ribosome attached to
not contain ribosomes. its surface. It is
involved in the
manufacture of
various proteins in
the cell. On the other
hand, the rough ER
is involved in the
production of
antibodies, insulin as
well as
transportation of

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Golgi Bodies/Golgi Apparatus
proteins into the
smooth ER.
The network of
channels is composed The smooth ER is
of a single-membrane named so because it
that may be bumpy if lacks a ribosome on
contains ribosomes its surface. As a
(RER) or (SER) if does result, it is smoother
not contain ribosomes. in appearance as
compared to the
rough ER. It is
involved in the
synthesis of lipids
(e.g. phospholipids)
and carbohydrates
that are used to
build the cell
membrane.
Other functions of
the smooth ER
include:
Transportation of
vesicles
Enzyme production
in the liver
Contraction of
muscle cells in the
muscles
Synthesis of
hormones in the
brain cells
Stacks of single
membranes that are The Golgi apparatus
connected to the is responsible for
plasma membrane and transporting,
endoplasmic reticulum. modifying, and
packaging proteins
and lipids into
vesicles for delivery
to targeted
destinations.
It is located in the
cytoplasm next to
 the endoplasmic
reticulum and near
the cell nucleus.
While many types
of cells contain only
one or several Golgi
apparatus, plant
cells can contain
hundreds.

Lysosomes A single membrane

compartment Lysosomes act as
containing powerful the waste disposal
hydrolytic enzymes. system of the cell by
digesting obsolete or
un-used materials in
the cytoplasm, from
both inside and
outside the cell.
Thus, lysosomes are
also called “suicidal
bags” of the cell.
Vacuoles A compartment
covered by a single A vacuole may be
membrane called described as a
tonoplast. space inside the cell
that does not contain
cytoplasm. It is
surrounded by a
membrane and filled
with a fluid.
Vacuoles store
various molecules
including enzymes,
nutrients, waste
products of the
cell, water, and
even food material
depending on the
type of cell.
Chloroplast A double-membrane
structure that contains Chloroplasts contain
chlorophyll pigments. the pigment
chlorophyll that
captures energy
from sunlight for
photosynthesis.
Therefore, the
chloroplast is the site
of photosynthesis
(the process through
which plants produce
food)
Animal cell has no
chloroplast, thus,
animal cannot make
their own food.
Plasma Membrane Flexible and elastic. It
is composed of double The plasma
layers of phospholipid, membrane (cell
proteins, membrane) is the
carbohydrates, and organelle that
steroids. encapsulates the
contents of the cell.
It is like a fence or a
gatekeeper that
protects the cell from
the outside
environment. It also
controls what
materials can go in
and out of the cell.
The plasma
membrane is made
up of two layers of
phospholipids
(phospholipids
bilayer).
Cell Wall It is a nonliving
component. Composed A cell wall is a rigid,
of cellulose, a semi-permeable
polysaccharide. protective layer in
some cell types. This
outer covering is
positioned next to
the cell membrane
(plasma membrane)
 in most plant cells,
fungi, bacteria,
algae, and some
archaea.
Animal cells
however, do not
have a cell wall. The
cell wall has many
important functions
in a cell including
protection, structure,
and support.
Cytoplasm The complex fluid that
fills the cell. The outer It is where all the
cytoplasm (exosplasm) organelles are
is gel like, while the located, stores
inner cytoplasm is fluid chemicals, and is the
(sol like). The fluid part site for reactions.
is capable of streaming It has a jelly-like
(cyclosis) fluid.

Centrioles Two small rods that lie

at right angles to each Centrioles are tube-
other. Each rod is like structures that
surrounded with tiny aid in cell division.
microtubes arranged They generally are
like the spokes of a found close to the
wheel. nucleus and are
made up of nine
tube-like structures
that each have three
tubules.
Centrioles are found
inside the
centrosome.
Centrioles separate
the chromosomes
during animal cell
division.
Centrioles are only
found in animal cell.