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1 Cell structure and functions

2 Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Chapter 1: BASIC BIOLOGY

By Dr. Law Jeng Yih

Cell Theory Discovery of Cells

• All living things are made up of cells. • Robert Hooke (mid-1600s)

• A cell is the smallest unit of all living things - Observed sliver of cork
and is capable of performing life functions. - Saw “row of empty boxes”
• Cells acquire nutrients and convert them to - Coined the term cell
energy and self (growth).
• All cells come from pre-existing cells
through cell division (reproduction).

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Examples of Cells Examples of Cells

Amoeba Proteus

Plant Stem

Bacteria

Red Blood Cell

Nerve Cell

Cell Size Cells Have Large Surface

Area-to-Volume Ratio

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Cell Types
A Prokaryotic cells
B Eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic Cells
• Known as Prokaryotes.
• Do not contain a membrane-enclosed nucleus.
• Relatively small and simple cells.
• Usually exist alone, not associated with other
cells.
• Dimension may be spherical, rodlike, spiral
• The size between 0.5 to 3.0 µm.
• Microorganisms of this type grow rapidly.
• Biochemically versatiles, eg: they often can
accept wide variety of nutrients.
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Classification of Living Organisms
?
Protists - relatively simple biological organisms
compared to plants and animals
Prokaryotic Cells
• First cell type on earth.
• One-celled organisms, Bacteria and
Archaeabacteria.
• No membrane bound nucleus.
• Nucleoid = region of DNA concentration.
• Organelles not bound by membranes.
• Few internal structures.
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Prokaryotic Cells
• The cell has only two structurally
distinguishable internal regions: cytoplasm
and nuclear region (or nucleoplasm).
• The cytoplasm has grainy dark spots as a
result of its content of ribosomes, which are
composed of protein and ribonucleic acid
(RNA).
• The ribosome is the site of important
biochemical reactions for protein synthesis.
Prokaryotic Cells
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Prokaryotic Cells
• The nuclear region is of irregular shape,
sharply segregated even though it is not
bounded by membrane.
• The nuclear region contains deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA), which contains genetic
information that determines the production of
proteins and other cellular substances and
structures.
Eukaryotic Cells
• Known as Eukaryotes.
• Most living organisms.
• Nucleus bound by membrane (membrane-
enclosed nucleus.
• Possess many organelles.
• Contain organelles surrounded by
membranes.
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Eukaryotic Cells A Comparison of Prokaryotes and

Eukaryotes

• Include fungi (yeasts and molds), algae, Characteristic Procaryotes Eucaryotes

Genome
protozoa, plant, and animal cells. No. of DNA molecules One More than one
DNA in organelles No Yes
• They are 1,000 to 10,000 times larger and DNA observed as chromosomes No Yes
Nuclear membrane No Yes
more complex than prokaryotic cells. Mitotic and meiotic division of No Yes
the nucleus

Organelles
Mitochondria No Yes
Endoplasmic reticulum No Yes
Golgi apparatus No Yes
Photosynthetic apparatus Chlorosomes Chloroplasts
Flagella Single protein, simple Complex structure,
structure with
microtubules

Animal Cell Plant Cell

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Organelles Plasma Membrane

• Cellular machinery • Contains cell contents

• Function: Outer membrane of cell that
• Two general kinds: controls movement in and out of the cell
Derived from membranes • Double layer of phospholipids & proteins

Bacteria-like organelles

Plasma Membrane Movement Across the Plasma Membrane

• A few molecules move freely

- Water, Carbon dioxide, Ammonia, Oxygen
• Carrier proteins transport some molecules
- Proteins embedded in lipid bilayer

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Movement Across the Plasma Membrane Cell Wall

• Found in plants, fungi, bacteria and algae.

• Surrounds plasma membrane.
• Function: Supports & protects cells.
• The cell wall also prevents over-expansion
when water enters the cell.

Cell Wall Differences Cytoplasm

• Plants – mostly cellulose • Gel-like mixture, viscous fluid containing organelles

• Fungi – contain chitin • Components of cytoplasm:
- Interconnected filaments & fibers
- Fluid = cytosol
- Organelles (not nucleus)
?
- Various particles and granules called
Chitin, a long-chain polymer of N- cytoplasmic inclusions
acetylglucosamine, is a derivative of glucose.
It is a primary component of cell walls in fungi.

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Cytoskeleton Cilia & Flagella

• It is a complex network of
interlinking filaments and
tubules that extend
• Function: Provide
throughout the cytoplasm, motility
from the nucleus to the • Cilia
plasma membrane.
• Made of 3 fiber types
- Short
- Microfilaments • Flagella
- Microtubules - Whip-like extensions
- Intermediate filaments
• 3 functions:
- Found on sperm cells
?
- mechanical support The protozoan called paramecium swims
- anchor organelles freely in its search for food such as
bacteria. It captures the prey with its cilia.
- help move substances

Membranous Organelles Nucleus

Functional components within
cytoplasm
Bound by membranes
• Function: Control
center of cell. It
controls hereditary
properties and all vital
activities of the cell.
• Directs cell activities
• Double membrane
• Contains:
- Chromosomes
- Nucleolus

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Nuclear Envelope/Membrane Nucleolus

• Separates nucleus from rest of cell • Inside nucleus

• Made of two layers • Directs synthesis of RNA
• Has pores • Forms ribosomes
• Openings allow material to enter and leave
nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Helps move substances within cells (e.g. • Ribosomes attached to surface

proteins)
• Network of interconnected membranes
• Two types:
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum
- Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• Not all ribosomes attached to rough ER
• Function: Helps make proteins, that’s why
it has ribosomes
• May modify proteins from ribosomes

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Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Ribosomes

• No attached ribosomes • Function: Makes proteins

• Function: Makes fats or lipids
• Has enzymes that help build molecules
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
• Found in all cells, prokaryotic and
eukaryotic
• Each cell contains thousands
• Found on RER & floating throughout the
cell

Golgi Apparatus Golgi Apparatus

• Involved in synthesis of plant cell wall

• Function: Packages, modifies, and
transports materials to different location
inside/outside of the cell
• Packaging & shipping station of cell

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Golgi Apparatus Golgi Apparatus

1. Molecules come in vesicles.

2. Vesicles fuse with Golgi membrane.
3. Molecules may be modified by Golgi (e.g
customize protein so that cell can use).
4. Molecules pinched-off in separate vesicle.
5. Vesicle leaves Golgi apparatus.
6. Vesicles may combine with plasma
membrane to secrete contents.

Lysosomes Vacuoles

• Contain digestive • Membrane-bound sacs for storage (food,

enzymes. water and other materials), digestion, and
• Functions: waste removal
- Aid in cell renewal • Help plants maintain shape
- Break down old cell parts • Contents:
- Digests invaders (food) - Water
- Food
- Wastes

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Vacuoles Bacteria-Like Organelles

• Release & store energy

• Types:
- Mitochondria (release energy)
- Chloroplasts (store energy)

Proposed Hypothesis: Proposed Hypothesis:

The Origin of Mitochondria The Origin of Chloroplasts

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Mitochondria Mitochondria

• Have their own DNA.

• Bound by double membrane.
• Produces energy through chemical reactions –
breaking down fats & carbohydrates.
• Break down fuel molecules:
- Glucose
- Fatty acids Fats are a group of chemical compounds
that contain fatty acids.
• Generate/release energy:
- ATP: is the major fuel for all cell activities that
require energy. ?
Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat.
During digestion, the body breaks down fats into
fatty acids, which can then be absorbed into the
blood.

Chloroplasts Chloroplasts

• Derived form photosynthetic bacteria.

• Function: Traps energy from the sun to
produce food for the plant cell.
• Green in color because of chlorophyll,
which is a green pigment.

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Photosynthesis Review of Eukaryotic Cells

• Takes place in the chloroplast.

• Makes cellular food – glucose.

Review of Eukaryotic Cells

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Bacteria Bacteria

• Micro-organisms colonize every • Bacteria are unicellular microscopic organisms.

environment on earth.
• >80% of life’s history was bacterial.
• You have more bacterial cells than
human cells.
• Microbes play a key role in the
biosphere.
• Pathogenic microbes globally are
the most important cause of human
disease and death.
There are about 1,500 known species occurring in
practically all natural environments.
• The typical diameter of the cell ranges from 0.5 to
1μm. The lengths of bacterial cells vary greatly.
• Bacteria occur in a variety of shapes such as:
cocci: spherical or ovoid
E. Coli under
microscope
bacilli: cylindrical or rod shaped
spirilla: helically coiled

Shapes of Bacteria Size Matters

Animal cell Bacterial cells

1 micron

10 microns

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Bacterial Cell Bacterial Cell

Structure Function
Cell Wall Protects and gives shape
Outer Membrane Protects against antibodies (Gram Neg. Only)

Plasma Membrane Regulates movement of materials, contains enzymes important

to cellular respiration
Cytoplasm Contains DNA, ribosomes, essential compounds

Chromosome Carries genetic information

? Plasmid A small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or
Inner membrane = plasma membrane protozoan, can replicate independently of the chromosomes
Capsule Protects the cell and assist in attaching cell to other surfaces
Endospore Protects cell agains harsh enviornments
Pilus Assists the cell in attaching to other surfaces
Flagellum Moves the cell

The Gram stain procedure The Gram stain procedure

• Gram staining is one of the most widely used Gram's

differential staining technique that separates Crystal
violet
iodine

bacteria into two groups: gram-positive and

gram-negative.
• An important tool in bacterial taxonomy,
distinguishing so-called Gram-positive
bacteria, which remain coloured after the
staining procedure, from Gram-negative Decolorise with
acetone
Pure culture of E. coli
bacteria, which do not retain dye and need Top:(Gram-negative rods)
to be counter-stained. Bottom: Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a
smear of urethral pus Gram-positives
• Can be applied to pure cultures of bacteria (Gram-negative cocci, with pus cells) appear purple
or to clinical specimens. Counterstain with
e.g. methyl red Gram-negatives
appear pink

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The Gram stain procedure

Gram-positive cocci Gram-positive rods

Gram-negative cocci Gram-negative rods The End!

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