HONEYLYN V.

CASING

BSED-SCI-1

SES 1
Assignment:

1. Explain the postulates of the cell theory.

Cell theory was originally given by German botanist Matthias Schleiden & German
physiologist Theodor Schwann together based on their researches in 1838 & 1839
respectively.

This theory proposed the hypothesis that all living bodies are composed of 1 or many cells.
However, this theory didn't explain how new cells were formed.

So, in 1855, Rudolf Virchow came forward & explained “Omnis cellula-e cellula”, meaning ‘all
cells arise from pre-existing cells’.

So, the postulates of the modern cell theory are as follows:

Cell is the basic functional & structural unit of life(all living organisms) .Cells are called the
structural and functional unit of life because all the living organisms are made up of cells and
also all the functions taking place inside the body of organisms are performed by cells.

Cells provide specific conditions, for the occurrence of metabolic reactions.

These have specialized enzymes, which catalyze the biochemical reaction and regulates the
functions of the body such as respiration (formation of ATP in the cell). A cell is called as the
fundamental structural and functional unit of life because they form the building blocks
(bricks) of the main organs of organisms. The cells are the basic parts of all organs. These cells
in group forms tissues that have specialized function and these tissues together form the
organs.

It is functional unit of life because the cells carry out all the functions of body (physiological,
biochemical. genetic and other functions)

All living organisms are composed of cells & the products of cells. A cell is the basic building
block of all organisms and thus all the living organisms are made up of the cell. It is the
smallest unit of organization in a living thing. The cell group together to form tissues and
tissues group together to form organ and then to organ system and organism
All cells arise from the division of pre-existing cells. For centuries people accepted the
"spontaneous generation" of life from inanimate matter. When this long-standing myth was
finally dispelled in the mid-1800s, it became clear that all life must arise from pre-existing life
— via a process of reproduction. If cells are the fundamental units of life, they too must have
a reproductive mechanism that maintains the proper chromosome number in each cell.

2. Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.

The nucleus is arguably the most important organelle in the cell. The largest, double
membrane-bound organelles, which contains all the cell’s genetic information. FUNCTION:
Controls the activity of the cell, helps in cell division and controls the hereditary
characters. It is the control center, telling all of the other organelles what to do and when to
do it.

Mitochondria . STRUCTURE: are some of the largest organelles within a cell. An oval-shaped,
membrane-bound organelle. Also known as the powerhouse, FUNCTION: mitochondria play
an important role in respiration where they generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) from
substrates in the presence of oxygen. Using their DNA, mitochondria are able to encode for
some of the components they require to perform their functions. The main site of cellular
respiration and also involved in storing energy in the form of ATP molecules.
Ribosomes. STRUCTURE: Non-membrane organelles, found floating freely in the cell’s
cytoplasm or embedded within the endoplasmic reticulum. FUNCTION: Involved in the
synthesis of proteins.

Cell membrane/Plasma Membrane or Cytoplasmic Membrane. STRUCTURE: A double

membrane composed of lipids and proteins. Present both in plant and animal cells.
FUNCTION: Provides shape, protects the inner organelles of the cell and acts as a selectively
permeable membrane.

Centrosomes. STRUCTURE: Composed of centrioles and found only in the animal cells.
FUNCTION: It plays a major role in organizing the microtubule and cell division.

Chloroplasts. STRUCTURE: Present only in plant cells and contains a green-coloured pigment
known as chlorophyll. FUNCTION: Sites of photosynthesis.

Cytoplasm. STRUCTURE: A jelly-like substance, which consists of water, dissolved nutrients

and waste products of the cell. FUNCTION: Responsible for the cell’s metabolic activities.

Endoplasmic Reticulum. STRUCTURE: A network of membranous tubules, present within the

cytoplasm of a cell. FUNCTION: Forms the skeletal framework of the cell, involved in the
detoxification, production of lipids and proteins.

Golgi apparatus. STRUCTURE: Membrane-bound, sac-like organelles, present within the

cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cells. FUNCTION: It is mainly involved in secretion and
intracellular transport.

Lysosomes. STRUCTURE: A tiny, circular-shaped, single membrane-bound organelles, filled

with digestive enzymes. FUNCTION: Helps in the digestion and removes wastes and digests
dead and damaged cells. Therefore, it is also called as the “suicidal bags”.

Peroxisome. STRUCTURE: A membrane-bound cellular organelle present in the cytoplasm,

which contains the reducing enzyme. FUNCTION: Involved in the metabolism of lipids and
catabolism of long-chain fatty acids.

Plastids. STRUCTURE: Double membrane-bound organelles.

There are 3 types of plastids:

Leucoplast –Colourless plastids.

Chromoplast–Blue, red, and yellow colour plastids.

Chloroplast – Green coloured plastids.

FUNCTION: Helps in the process of photosynthesis and pollination, imparts colour to leaves,
flowers, fruits and stores starch, proteins and fats.

Vacuoles. STRUCTURE: A membrane-bound, fluid-filled organelle found within the

cytoplasm.

FUNCTION: Provide shape and rigidity to the plant cell and help in digestion, excretion, and
storage of substances.

Intermediate filaments. STRUCTURE: are shaped like a helix, with two strands of proteins
twisted together. FUNCTION: in contrast to actin filaments and microtubules, are very stable
structures that form the true skeleton of the cell. They anchor the nucleus and position it
within the cell, and they give the cell its elastic properties and its ability to withstand tension.

3. Distinguish prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells according to their distinguishing features.

The distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is considered to be the most important
distinction among groups of organisms. Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles,
such as the nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not. Differences in cellular structure of
prokaryotes and eukaryotes include the presence of mitochondria and chloroplasts, the cell
wall, and the structure of chromosomal DNA.
Prokaryotes word is made up of two words Greek words “pro” meaning before and “karyon”
meaning nucleus. They do not have a true nucleus and membrane-bounded organelles.
Prokaryotes are divided into two groups i.e., bacteria and archaea. Prokaryotes were the only
form of life on Earth for millions of years until more complicated eukaryotic cells came into
being through the process of evolution.

In eukaryotes, “Eu” meaning true and “karyon” meaning nucleus. They have a true nucleus
and contain membrane-bounded organelles. Eukaryotes includes animal, plants, fungi, and
protists.

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Type of Cell Always unicellular Unicellular and multi-cellular

Cell size Ranges in size from 0.2 μm – Size ranges from 10 μm – 100
2.0 μm in diameter μm in diameter
Cell wall Usually present; chemically When present, chemically
complex in nature simple in nature
Nucleus Absent. Instead, they have a Present
nucleoid region in the cell
Ribosomes Present. Smaller in size and Present. Comparatively larger
spherical in shape in size and linear in shape
DNA arrangement Circular Linear
Mitochondria Absent Present
Cytoplasm Present, but cell organelles Present, cell organelles
absent present
Endoplasmic reticulum Absent Present
Plasmids Present Very rarely found in
eukaryotes
Ribosome Small ribosomes Large ribosomes
Lysosome Lysosomes and centrosomes Lysosomes and centrosomes
are absent are present
Cell division Through binary fission Through mitosis
Flagella The flagella are smaller in size The flagella are larger in size
Reproduction Asexual Both asexual and sexual

Example Bacteria and Archaea Plant and Animal cel

 There are many similarities between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

1. They have DNA as heredity material.

2. Both cells have many ribosomes to produce protein.

3. Their cellular content is enveloped by a thin and elastic cell membrane which is made up of
phospholipid bilayer.

4. They both have cytoplasm