Cell Structure and Function

Thanasan Nilsu
Basic Biology Class 2022
Kamnoetvidya Science Academy
Learning outcomes
❏ Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
❏ Compare and contrast the general characteristics of plant and animal cells.
❏ Explain the variety of cell structures with relation to their functions.
❏ Discuss the noncellular nature of viruses.
 The sizes of various biological objects

Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems, 5e, 2018

 Animal cell structure

Integrated Science, 7e, 2019

 Plant cell structure

Integrated Science, 7e, 2019

 Nucleus

Nucleus: a round or oval structure surrounded

by a nuclear envelope that contains the
genetic material (DNA).

Nuclear envelope: a double membrane

separating nucleoplasm and cytoplasm,
continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) and perforated by nuclear pores, which
regulate the entry and exit of materials.

Nucleolus: a non-membrane bound nuclear

compartment where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is
synthesized and ribosome subunits are
assembled.

Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021

Nester’s Microbiology - A Human Perspective, 8e, 2016
 Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi
Rough ER: an extensive network of flattened,
membranous sacs (cisternae) studded with
ribosomes (which synthesize proteins) and
involved in the processing of proteins.

Smooth ER: a highly branched network of

membranous tubules involved in the synthesis
of lipids, metabolism of carbohydrates, storage
of calcium ions, and detoxification of drugs and
toxins.

Golgi apparatus: stacks of cisternae involved

in the modification of proteins and lipids, and
sorting and packaging of modified products in
vesicles for transport and secretion.

Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018

 Vesicular structures
Vesicle: a collective term for a number of
different, small membrane-bound organelles,
e.g., endocytic, transport, transition, and
secretory vesicles.

Endosome: a membrane-enclosed sac that

regulates trafficking of proteins and lipids
among other subcellular compartments of the
secretory and endocytic pathway.

Lysosome: a membranous sac containing

hydrolytic enzymes that aid breakdown of
ingested substances, cell macromolecules,
damaged organelles (autophagy), and its own
cell (autolysis).

Peroxisome: a membranous sac containing

oxidative enzymes (such as catalase) that aid
oxidative breakdown of fatty acids and alcohol.

Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018

 Trafficking through the endomembrane system

Becker's World of the Cell, 9e, 2018

 Vacuoles

Central vacuole: a large organelle of plants surrounded
by a membrane (called tonoplast) and filled with fluid
(called cell sap) that stores water and various substances
(including nutrients, acids, pigments, salts, wastes, and
toxins) and maintains cell acidity and turgor pressure.
Campbell Essential Biology, 7e, 2019
Contractile vacuole: a membrane-bound organelle found
in protists (such as Amoeba, Euglena and Paramecium)
and some animals (such as sponges) that controls
osmoregulation and waste removal.
 Mitochondria and chloroplasts

Mitochondrion: a rod-shaped organelle bounded by Chloroplast: a lens- or disc-shaped organelle bounded by a

two membranes in which the inner membrane is folded
to form cristae and encloses matrix. Considered the
powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are major sites of
ATP production.
double membrane surrounding the stroma. Within the stroma
is the thylakoid membrane system. Chloroplasts are
plastids specialized for photosynthesis.
Essentials of Pathophysiology, 3e, 2011
Lewin's Cells, 3e, 2015
 The origin of eukaryotes

The endosymbiotic theory designates a class

of hypotheses that view various organelles in
eukaryotic cells as descendants of
endosymbionts, whereby the term endosymbiont
designates a microbial cell that has come to live
stably inside another microbial cell (a host).

In its oldest and most familiar versions,

endosymbiotic theory posits that mitochondria
and plastids were once free-living bacteria.
Mitochondria stem from free-living
proteobacteria. Plastids stem from
cyanobacteria.

Biology, 11e, 2019

Cytoskeletons

Microtubule: a hollow tube composed of tubulin

heterodimers involved in cell shape and support, cell
motility (as in cilia or flagella), chromosome movements
(as spindle apparatus), intracellular transport, and
division of plant cells.

Microfilament: an intertwined helical chains of actin

monomers involved in cell shape and support, muscle
contraction, cytoplasmic streaming (cyclosis) in plant
cells, cell motility (as in amoeboid movement), and
division of plant and animal cells.

Intermediate filament: a filament consisting of coiled

coil dimer of fibrous proteins (e.g. keratins and lamins)
involved in cell shape and support, organelle support,
and nuclear envelope support.

Human Genetics - Concepts and Applications, 12th, 2018

Microtubule-organizing center

Microtubule-organizing center (MTOC): a cellular

structure from which microtubules emerge.

Centrosome: a major MTOC in animal cells composed

of a pair of centrioles at right angles to each other,
each made up of nine triplets of microtubules (9 + 0
pattern).

A modified centrioles called basal bodies are found as

single structures at the base of cilia and flagella in
eukaryotes.

Lewin's Cells, 3e, 2015

 Cilia and flagella

Cilium: a cellular projection composed of

microtubules in a 9 + 2 (motile) or 9 + 0
(immotile) arrangement. Motile cilia are
used for locomotion of cells (as in ciliates)
and propulsion of fluid over the cell surface
(as in respiratory tract). Non-motile cilia
are used for sensation of extracellular
environment.

Flagellum: a long, motile cilium generally

used for locomotion of cells (as in sperms
and flagellates).

Biology, 12e, 2020

 Animal cell junctions

Tight junctions prevent the Desmosomes anchor cells Gap junctions allow the
passage of materials through together in strong sheets. transfer of small molecules and
spaces between cells. ions between adjacent cells.
Biology, 11e, 2019
 Plasma membrane, glycocalyx and extracellular matrix

Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021

 Cell wall

Plant cell wall: An extracellular matrix that encloses each cell in a

plant composed mainly of cellulose and contains three layers: the
middle lamella, primary cell wall, and secondary cell wall.

Plasmodesmata: Membranous channels that cross walls of

adjacent plant cells, allowing direct cytoplasmic cell-to-cell
communication.

Campbell Biology, 12e, 2021

Biology, 12e, 2020
 Bacterial cell structure

Fundamentals of Microbiology, 11e, 2018

Viral structure
Viral structure
Video: Bacterial Structure and Functions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b15Hy3jCPDs
Video: Viral Structure and Functions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1TetEto1Is