CELLS

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson you should be able to :

1) compare the structures of an unspecialized plant and animal cell
and selected microbes.
2) state the functions of cell structures.
 WHAT IS A CELL?
A cell is a the basic unit of life.
A cell possesses all of the seven characteristics
of living thing organisms.
Some organisms are unicellular, being composed
of a single cell; while others are multicellular,
being composed of many cells.
ANIMAL CELL
PLANT CELL
 .

FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT
CELL STRUCTURES
 CELL MEMBRANE

Controls what substances enter and

leaves the cell. It is selectively permeable
 CYTOPLASM
A jelly-like substance composed of 80% water and
20% dissolved substances. It supports organelles
and is the site of chemical reactions.
 NUCLEUS

Controls the characteristics and

functioning of the cell. It is essential
for cell division.
 MITOCHONDRION
Where respiration occurs to release
energy for the cell. It contains respiratory
enzymes.
 ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Transports substances throughout the cell. Maybe smooth,

with no ribosomes, or rough with ribosomes attached.
 RIBOSOMES
Where proteins are synthesized (produced)
 VACUOLE
Stores food, cell secretions or cell wastes.
In plant cells, it supports the cell when it is
turgid. They are large in plant cells and small
in animal cells.
 CELL WALL

Supports and protects the plant cell. It is

made up of cellulose and is freely
permeable.
 CHLOROPLAST

Found in plant cells. This is where photosynthesis

occurs to produce food for the plant
PLANTS AND ANIMAL CELLS COMPARED
 MICROBES

Microbes or microorganisms are extremely small

organisms which include viruses, bacteria,
protozoa and some fungi. Many microbes are
pathogens, ie. they cause disease.
 VIRUSES

Viruses lack a cellular structure and they can only

reproduce in living cells
.
 BACTERIA
The cells of bacteria lack a true nucleus and other membrane bound
organelles. Their DNA exist in an area called nucleoid, which lacks a
nuclear membrane and also in smaller regions called plasmids.
 FUNGI
Most fungi are multicellular, though yeast are unicellular. Their cells
contains true nuclei and other membrane bound organelles except
chloroplast, and are surrounded by a cell wall made of chitin.
 THAT’S IT FOR NOW!

Next time we will be looking at cell specialization.