CELL STRUCTURE

AND FUNCTION
LEARNING GOALS

❏ Identify the fundamental and supporting structures

of a cell.
❏ Compare and contrast animal and plant cell
based on its structure.
WHAT IS A CELL?

❏ Structural and functional unit of all

living organisms
❏ The smallest unit of an organism
❏ “Cell Theory”
CHARACTERISTICS OF A CELL
❏ Metabolism
❏ Reproduction (cell division by binary
fission, mitosis and meiosis)
❏ Responsiveness
❏ Cell contents are contained within a
cell surface membrane
 Fundamental
Structures of a Cell
Cell/Plasma Membrane

❏ Regulates the passage of

materials into and out of the
cell.
❏ Phospholipid Bilayer:
double layer of
phospholipids of about
4-5 nm thick with
cholesterol and proteins
embedded in it.
Cytoplasm

❏ A gel-like substance making up

the cell’s internal environment
and where the organelles are
suspended.
❏ Cytosol: the unstructured
portion of cytoplasm where
the organelles are bathed.
❏ It is where most of the cell’s
metabolic reactions occur
Cytoskeleton

❏ Commonly known as
the framework of the
cell. It provides
internal support that
maintains the
structure and
appearance of the
cell.
Nucleus

❏ is the central genetic

region containing
genetic material in the
form of DNA that
provides instructions
for protein production,
cell activity regulation
and cell reproduction.
Nucleus

❏ Nuclear envelope - a double-membrane structure that

constitutes the outermost portion of the nucleus.
❏ Nuclear pore - control the passage of ions, molecules, and
RNA between the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm
❏ Nucleolus - aggregates the ribosomal RNA with associated
proteins to assemble the ribosomal subunits that eventually
become ribosomes.
Animal and Plant Cell
 BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT
ANIMAL PLANT CELL
CELL

NUCLEUS
MITOCHONDRIA
CELL WALL
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
CHLOROPLAST
CENTRIOLES GOLGI APPARATUS
LARGE, CENTRAL VACUOLE
CILIA LYSOSOMES
OTHER PLASTIDS
FLAGELLA PEROXISOMES
CHLOROPHYLL
RIBOSOMES
CELL MEMBRANE
CYTOPLASM

Organelles and Structures found in Animal and Plant Cell

A. STRUCTURES FOUND IN BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT CELL

A1. MITOCHONDRIA: the “powerhouse” of the cell; where most

ATPs are produced.
A2. ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM: for synthesis and transport of
lipids and membrane proteins. (highway of the cell)
● Rough ER: with ribosomes
● Smooth ER: without ribosomes
A3. GOLGI APPARATUS: modifying, sorting and packaging
macromolecules for secretion and for delivery to other
organelles.
A. STRUCTURES FOUND IN BOTH ANIMAL AND PLANT CELL

A4. LYSOSOME: the digestive component and

organelle-recycling facility that uses their hydrolytic enzymes to
destroy pathogens.
A5. PEROXISOME: they carry out oxidation reactions that break
down fatty acids and amino acids. They also detoxify many
poisons that may enter the body.
A6. RIBOSOME: protein synthesis
B. STRUCTURES AND ORGANELLES ONLY FOUND IN ANIMAL CELL

B1. CENTRIOLES: aid in cell division by facilitating the separation

of chromosomes; also involved in the formation of cilia and
flagella and thus contribute to cell movement.
B2. CILIA: slender, microscopic, hair-like structures or organelles
that extend from the surface of nearly all mammalian cells
B3. FLAGELLA: whip-like structures that act primarily as an
organelle of locomotion in the cells of many living organisms
B. STRUCTURES AND ORGANELLES ONLY FOUND IN ANIMAL CELL
C. STRUCTURES AND ORGANELLES ONLY FOUND IN PLANT CELL

C1. CELL WALL: the rigid outer covering of the cell protects the
plant cell and gives it shape
C2. CHLOROPLAST: the site of photosynthesis in a plant cell which
contains chlorophyll
C3. LARGE, CENTRAL VACUOLE: provides support for and
participates in a variety of cellular functions including storage,
detoxification, protection, and growth
C4. CHLOROPHYLL: a green pigment that absorbs energy from
sunlight