MODULE 1:

CELL: THE BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

The learners...
1. explain the postulates of the cell theory (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)
2. describe how cell theory is an explanation for life
3. give importance on the functions of the cell in our body

Lesson 1: Cell Theory

Learning Task 1
Directions: Read and understand each item and choose the letter of the correct answer.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
__1. Which level of organization is the basic unit of life?
A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Organ
D. System
__2. Which of the following is NOT a postulate of a unified cell theory?
A. All living things are composed of cells
B. Cells are the basic unit of life
C. All cells undergo complete development
D. All new cells arise from existing cells
__3. Who coined the term cell for the box like structure he observed when viewing cork
tissue?
A. Matthias Schleiden
B. Theodor Schwann
C. Rudolf Virchow
D. Robert Hooke
__4. In many cells, the structure that controls the cell activities is the _____________.
A. Cell Membrane
B. Organelle
C. Nucleolus
D. Nucleus
__5. Which part of the cell serves as venue for cellular respiration and is known as the
powerhouse of the cell?
A. Nucleolus
B. Chromosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Nucleus
CELL
Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells. They
provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out
specialized functions.
- Cells also contain the body’s hereditary material and can make copies of themselves. Cells have many parts,
each with a different function. Some of these parts, called organelles, are specialized structures that perform
certain tasks within the cell.

In this lesson, you are to explain the postulates of the cell theory. The three postulates of the cell theory offer the
basis on how an organism is considered as a living thing.
 Plant Cell Animal Cell

DISCOVERY OF CELLS
Robert Hook (1665)- used of the first light microscopes to look at thin slices of plant tissues. One of these, a
slice of cork, especially caught his eye. Under the microscope, cork seemed to be made of thousands of tiny
chambers. Hooke called these chambers ―cells because they reminded him of a monastery‘s tiny rooms,
which were also known as cells.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1676) - published his observations on tiny living organisms which he named
animalcules. It was believed that Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe under his microscope the structure of a
red blood cell of different animals as well as a sperm cell.
Robert Brown (1831) - was able to compare diverse kinds of plant specimens under the microscope. He
markedly indicated that there is a common thing about them-they are all composed of cells, and inside the cell
is a dark dense spot which he termed as the nucleus.
Matthias Schleiden (1838) – a German Botanist concluded that all plant parts are made of cells.
Theodor Schwann (1839)- also a botanist and a close friend of Schleiden, stated that all animal tissues
are composed of cells, too.
Rudolf Virchow (1858)- concluded that all cells come from pre-existing cells.

The discoveries made by Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow, and others led to the
formulation of the cell theory.
Principles of Cell Theory
1. all living things are composed of one or more cells;
2. the cell is the basic unit of life; and
3. all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Characteristics of Cells
 A surrounding membrane
 Protoplasm- cell contents in thick fluid
 Organelles – structures for cell function
 Control center with DNA

Learning Task 2
A. The Discovery of Cell

Matthias Schleiden Robert Hooke Theodor Schwann

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek Rudolf Virchow
Direction. Answer the ―Cell Theory which tells about the discovery of cell.
Take note of the scientists and their respective works. Choose from the box which
scientist gave the following statements.
__________1. All cells come from pre-existing cells (1858).
__________2. All animals are made up of cells (1839).
__________3. All plants are made up of cells (1838).
__________4. Tiny living organisms are observed (1676).
__________5. Thousands of tiny empty chambers in cork are called cells (1665).

Learning Task 3
Reflection: Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the cell theory and what does its state?
_________________________________________________________________
2. What do we call the basic generalizations that are accepted by modern science
about cell?
_________________________________________________________________
3. Among the scientists, who advanced the cell theory with his conclusion that cells
could only come from other cells?
_________________________________________________________________
4. What discovery is Van Leeuwenhoek noted for?
_________________________________________________________________
5. What caused scientists to discover the existence of cells?

Learning Task 4
Direction: The figure below indicates events that lead up to the cell theory. Complete the table by filling in the
blank spaces.
1665 a. Observed the remains of dead plant cells
b. Anton van Leeuwenhoek c.
1838 Matthias Schleiden d.
e. f. Stated that all animals are made of cells
1858 g. h.

Learning Task 5
Performance Task:
Research on the theory of spontaneous generation or theory of abiogenesis by Stanley Miller and Francesco Redi
and Louis Pasteur‘s experiment. Compare the two theories on the origin of life.

Enrichment Activity
Watch a video through YouTube link below entitled “Theories on the Origin of Life”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QLW7I_XBqo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNijmxsKGbc

Lesson 2: Cell Structure and Functions

Objective:
describe the structure and function of major subcellular organelles.
 All living organisms are made up of one or many cells. The cells are the building block of life just as
atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter. Each cell contains
materials that carry out basic life processes. Cell structures can only be
observed under high magnification electron microscope and are
separated internally into numerous membranous compartments called
organelles (little organs). These organelles perform a variety of
functions like production of proteins, storage of important materials,
harvesting energy, repairing cell parts, digestion of substances, and
maintaining the shape and structure of the cell.

Learning Task 1
Direction: Write all the descriptions of cell organelles which
are shown through the
illustration.

1. Control center, stores DNA

2. Center of the nucleus, produces ribosomes

3. Controls passage of organic molecules, ions, water,

oxygen and wastes into and out of the cell.

4. Provides structure to cell; gel-like fluid in which

organelles are found
5. ―Powerhouse of the cell‖, releases energy from food

6. Small structures for protein synthesis

7. Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids

8. Modifies, sorts, tags, packages and Distributes lipids and proteins

9. Garbage disposal, digestion of macromolecules;

recycling or worn out organelles

10. Storage and transport; digestive function

in plant cells.

11. Site of photosynthesis, trap sunlight to make food

12. Protection, structural support and maintenance of cell shape

Cell Structure and Functions

Cell’s Structures Functions

1. Cell Membrane Separates cell from external environment; controls passage of organic molecules,
ions, water, oxygen and wastes into and out of the cell
2. Cytoplasm Provides structure to cell; site of many metabolic reactions; medium in which
organelles are found
3. Nucleolus Location of DNA
4. Nucleus Cell organelle that houses DNA and directs synthesis of ribosomes and proteins
5. Ribosomes Protein synthesis
6. Mitochondria ATP production or cellular respiration
7. Peroxisomes Oxidizes and breaks down fatty acids and amino acids and detoxifies poisons
8. Vesicles and Vacuoles Storage and transport; digestive function in plant cells
9. Centrosome Unspecified role in cell division in animal cells; organizing center of
microtubules in animal cells
10. Lysosomes Digestion of macromolecules; recycling or worn out organelles
11. Cell wall Protection, structural support and maintenance of cell shape
12. Chloroplast Photosynthesis
13. Endoplasmic reticulum Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids
14. Golgi apparatus Modifies, sorts, tags, packages and distributes lipids and proteins
15. Cytoskeleton Maintains cell‘s shape, secure organelles on specific positions, allows cytoplasm
and vesicles to move within the cell, and enables unicellular organisms to move
independently
16. Flagella Cellular locomotion
17.Cilia Cellular locomotion, movement of particles along extracellular surface of plasma
membrane, and filtration
Learning Task 2
Direction: Below are drawing of plant and animal cells. Label the parts of the cell. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper according to letters and
numbers.
Learning Task 3
Direction: Using a Venn Diagram or Tabular form show the difference between a plant cell and animal
cell.
Features Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell Shape Rectangular (fixed shape) Round (irregular shape)
Cell Wall Present and is formed of cellulose Absent
Cell Membrane Present and is covered by the cell wall Present
Nucleus Present Present
Vacuole A large central vacuole taking up 90% of the cell volume One or more small vacuoles
Plastids Present Present
Chloroplast Present and make their own food Absent
Endoplasmic Present Present
Reticulum
Ribosomes Present Present
Mitochondria Present Present

Learning Task 4
Direction: Construct a 3D model of a plant/animal cell using indigenous or recyclable materials and label the
parts.