Medical Surgical Nursing
Cells are the basic structural, functional and Cell PARTS &
biological unit of all known living
organisms. humans are multicellular,
compared to some organisms such as
bacteria that are unicellular.
types of cells:
1) Prokaryotes: types of cells that
don't have membrane bound
organelles. No nucleus. Always
unicellular. Bacteria, archaea
2) Eukaryotes: types of cells that have
a nucleus containing genetic
material and organelles. Can be
unicellular or multicellular. Plants,
animals, fungi, protists.
The invention of the microscope led to the
discovery of the cell by Hooke in 1665.
While looking at cork, Hooke observed
box-shaped structures, which he called
“cells” as they reminded him of rooms, in
monasteries. This discovery led to the
development of the—
was proposed by Theodor Schwann in
1839. There are 3 parts to this theory:
1) THE 1ST PART STATES THAT
ALL ORGANISMS ARE MADE
OF CELLS.
The classical cell theory
2) THE 2ND PART STATES THAT
CELLS ARE THE BASIC UNIT
OF LIFE.
These parts were based on a conclusion
made by Schwann and Matthias
Schleiden in 1838, after comparing their
observations of plant and animal cells.
3) THE 3RD PART, WHICH ASSERTS
THAT CELLS COME FROM PRE
EXISTING CELLS THAT HAVE
MULTIPLIED
was described by Rudolf Virchow in
1858, when he stated omnis cellula e cellula
(all cells come from cells).
o nucleus DIRECTS ALL ACTIVITIES oF CELL
FUNCTION:
o CELL MEMBRANE PROTECTS CELL AND
ALLOW NUTRIENTS TO COME INTO THE CELL
o Cytoplasm GEL LIKE FLUID THAT HOLDS THE
ORGANELLES
o Cytoskeleton provide support for cells and organelles
o Ribosomes: PRODUCE protein with the linking of
different amino acids THAT HELPS THE CELL
GROW.
o Endoplasmic reticulum: synthesizes proteins and
lipids. PASSAGE THAT TRANSPORTS
MATERIAL
o Cells need energy to power their biochemical
reactions, and most of that energy is released by
mitochondria
o Golgi apparatus: PACKAGES MATERIAL TO BE
SENT OR RECEIVED
o Lysosomes packed full of digestive enzymes. break
down and recycle unwanted material for the cell, such
as old cell parts or invading bacteria and viruses.
Lysosomes also play an important role in apoptosis
(AKA programmed cell death).
o Plant cells have chloroplasts and a cell wall. The plant
cell wall is outside the cell membrane.
o Chloroplasts-photosynthesis. This food is in the form
of sugars.
o VACUOLES STORES FOOD, WATER AND
NUTRIENTS
o CELL WALL PROVIDES SHAPE FOR PLANT
CELLS
o Plasma membrane is a selective barrier
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Cell division and reproduction
Most cells reproduce as quickly as they die. Cell
reproduction occurs in two stages
1) mitosis, nucleus & genetic material divide.
2) cytokinesis, cytoplasm divides, beginning during late
anaphase or telophase. At the end of cytokinesis, the
cell produces two daughter cells.

Replication and duplication of DNA occur during the

four phases of mitosis:

ADAPTATION
Cells generally continue functioning despite challenging
stressors. prolonged stress may injure or destroy cells. If
cellular reserve is insufficient, the cell dies. If enough
reserve -the cell adapts by :
Atrophy reversible reduction in the size of the cell.
results from disuse, insufficient blood flow, malnutrition,
denervation, or reduced endocrine stimulation.
Hypertrophy increase in the size of a cell due to an
increased workload.
Hyperplasia, an increase in the number of cells
Metaplasia is the replacement of one adult cell with
another adult cell that can better endure the change or
stress.
dysplasia, deranged cell growth of specific tissue results
in abnormal size, shape, and appearance. Although
dysplastic cell changes are adaptive and potentially
reversible,

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