Cell structure and function part 1

Dr. Hiba Sabra

Cell structure and function
Content
• How cells are studied

• Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells

Cell structure and function
Cell discovery

Dead cells: Empty

Cells: Small empty rooms

He discovered the cell membrane

Cell structure and function
What is a cell ?

The cell is the basic unit of life

The cell is the basic building blocks of all

organisms

The cell is the unitary organization of the living

world
Cell structure and function
How can we visualize a cell ?

Eye

Light Microscope

Electron Microscope

Plant Cell
Animal Cell
 Cell structure and function
Light Microscopes (Optical Microscopes)

It is an instrument
Focus a beam of light onto or through an object

2D images

Can use live specimens

The resolution limit is ∼0.2 μm

Optical lens: 10x

Objectives lens: 4x, 10x, 40x, 100x

Total magnification= Optical x Objective mag.

Magnification is the ability of a microscope to produce an image of an object at a scale larger. It

is the degree of enlargement of an object

The resolution is defined as the smallest distance between two particles at which they can be
seen as separated objects
 Cell structure and function
Dissecting Microscopes

A dissecting microscope is used

to view three-dimensional objects
and larger specimens, with a
maximum magnification of 100x

The whole object can be viewed

The resolution limit is ∼120 nm

 Cell structure and function
Electron Microscopes

Use a beam of electrons

Live cells can not be seen

Magnification up to 2,000,000x
The resolution limit is ∼0.2 nm
Cell structure and function
Prokaryotic cells vs Eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotic cell
• Pro= Before ; Karyon= nucleus

• Single celled organisms

• Domains: Bacteria and Archaea

Eukaryotic cell
• Eu= True ; Karyon= nucleus

• Single celled or multicellular organisms

• Animal cells, Plant cells, fungi and protists

 Cell structure and function
Prokaryotic cells vs Eukaryotic cells
Common Components
• Plasma membrane:

Outer covering that separates the cell’s interior from its surrounding

environment

• Cytoplasm:

Consisting of a jelly-like region within the cell in which other cellular

components are found

• DNA:

The genetic material of the cell

• Ribosomes:

Particles that synthesize proteins

 Cell structure and function
Prokaryotic cells vs Eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic cells
Attaches to the surfaces in Used during conjugation to
the environment exchange genetic material

Peptidoglycan: AA + Sugar
Protection
Shape
Prevents dehydration

Used for locomotion

Area containing the genetic materiel

 Cell structure and function

Prokaryotic cells vs Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cells

Organelles