Structure and Function of Major and Subcellular Organelles

Cells - the basic unit of life and are composed of several

organelles, each with a specific structure and function.

• All cells have cell membrane, cytoplasm and genetic

material (DNA).
• Organelle – little organ. Specialed part sof a cell that
have unique job to perform.

Major organelles (big organs) include the nucleus,

mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, while subcellular
organelles (ga salig sa major organelles) include ribosomes and
POSTULATES OF THE CELL THEORY lysosomes.

History of the Cell Theory: PROKARYOTE - A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus or
any other membrane-bound organelle. (Archaea and Bacteria).
The term "cell" was initially applied to these microscopic units Don’t have nucleus or membrane enclose organelles.
of life in 1665 by a British scientist by the name of Robert
Hooke. EUKARYOTE - a multicellular cell that contains a nucleus and a
membrane-bound organelle. (Plant and Animal). Have
Robert Hooke organelles which include the nucleus and other special part.

- an English polymath active as a scientist, natural

philosopher and architect.
- one of the earliest scientists to study living things
under a microscope.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

- a Dutch microbiologist and microscopist in the Golden

Age of Dutch science and technology.
- First person to observe human cells and bacteria.

Matthias Jakob Schleiden

- German Botanist.
- Declared that the plant organism is made up of cells.
NUCLEUS
Theodor Schwann
- the nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing
- German Physiologist genetic material (DNA; Deoxyribonucleic Acid) that
- Theorized that animals develop from cells that dictates the cell’s structure and function. It is
divided into new cells, same as plants. surrounded by a double-layered membrane called the
nuclear envelope.
Rudolf Virchow
- Also contains nucleolus (where ribosomes are made).
- German physician, anthropologist, pathologist, • Chromatin – the tangled, spread out from DNA found
prehistorian, biologist, writer, editor, and politician. inside the nuclear membrane.
- Realized that living cells produce new cells through
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (ER)
division.
- is a network of membrane-bound tubes and sacs that
THREE POSTULATES OF THE CELL THEORY
synthesizes, folds, and modifies proteins and lipids.
 All organisms are made up of one or more cells. Passageway for transporting materials.
 All life functions of organisms occur within cells. - Rough ER - modifies proteins (has ribosomes attach to
 All cells come from already existing cells. it) and Smooth ER - synthesizes lipid.

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GOLGI APPARATUS - The Golgi Apparatus modifies, sorts, and
packages proteins and lipids for delivery to their final
destinations inside or outside the cell.
MITOCHONDRIA - are the powerhouses of the cell, generating
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), the main energy currency of
the body. They also regulate cell signaling and death. ATP
production/ Cellular respiration.
• During the process called cellular respiration the
mitochondria make an ATP molecule that provide the
energy for all the cells activities.
• Cells that needed more energy have more
mitochondria.
Lysosomes - are cellular organelles responsible for the
breakdown of cellular waste and recycling of materials. They
contain hydrolytic enzymes that can break down proteins,
lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. (garbage collector and
recycling).
• Digestion of macromolecules; recycling of worn out
organelles.
Ribosomes - a cellular organelle responsible for protein
synthesis. Tiny dots that float freely in the cytoplasm.
• Protein Synthesis
• May wonder freely within the cytoplasm or attach to
the endoplasmic reticulum.
CYTOPLASM - a cellular organelle responsible for protein
synthesis (or creation of protein). Tiny dots that float freely in
the cytoplasm. Jelly-like fluid.
• Provides turgor pressure to plant cells as fluid inside
the central vacuole; site of metabolic reactions.
PEROXISOME - small,round organlles enclosed by a single
membranes.
• Oxidizes and thus breaks down fatty acids and amino
acids, and detoxifies poison.
VESICLES AND VACUOLES - membrane-bound sacs that
function in storage and transport.
Vesicles - help move these proteins and other molecules, to
the Golgi apparatus for further sorting and refining. (transport
vesicles)
Vacuoles – are sac-like structures that store different
materials. (plant cell stores water)
CHLOROPLAST - plant cell organelles that convert light energy
into relatively stable chemical energy via the photosynthetic
process.
• Photosynthesis
CYTOSKELETON - made up of
microtubules, actin filaments,
and intermediate filaments.
• Maintains cell shape,
secures organelles in
specific position.
• The thread-like MICROFILAMENTS which are made of
protein.
• MICROTUBULES which are thin hollow tubes.
FLAGELLA - a long, slender, whiplike cellular structure used
generally for locomotion(movement). Some bacteria, a
flagellum is like a little tail that can help move or propel itself.
• Sperm cell, in human.
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CILIA – hair-like structures found on the surface of many types
of cells, including some mammalian cells, especially those
lining various tissues and organs. That can move in waves.

• Cellular locomotion

2. CONNECTIVE TISSUE

- It maintains tissues and organs, moving nutrition and

CELL WALL (skin) - the outer covering of a cell, present adjacent waste, preventing infections, storing fat, and
to the cell membrane. cell wall is present in all plant cells, repairing damaged tissues.
fungi, bacteria, algae, and some archaea.

• Protection and structural support.

• Animals don’t have cell wall.

CELL MEMBRANE - separates the interior of the cell from the

outside environment.

• Present in all types of cell.

CELL TYPES AND MODIFICATIONS

Biological Hierarchy

DNA -> CELL -> TISSUE -> ORGAN -> ORGAN SYSTEM -> YOU

4 BASIC TYPES OF TISSUES

1. EPITHELIAL TISSUE

- This type of tissue is commonly seen outside as

coverings or as linings of organs and cavities.
- It is characterized by closely-joined cells with tight
junctions.
- Being tightly packed, tight junctions serve as barrier
for pathogens, mechanical injuries, and fluid loss

3. MUSCLE TISSUES

- These tissues are composed of long cells called

muscle fibers that allow the body to move voluntarily
or involuntarily. It gives rise to muscles' ability to
contract.

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4. NERVOUS TISSUES

- Composed of nerve cells called neuron and glial cells

that function as support cells. These neurons sense
stimuli and transmit electrical signals throughout the
animal body.
1 BASIC TYPES OF (PLANT) TISSUES

1. MERISTEMATIC TISSUE - Consists of undifferentiated small

cell, with dense cytoplasm and large nuclei.

CELL MODIFICATION

● Cell specialization or modification occurs after cell division

wherein newly formed cells are structurally modified so that
they can perform their function efficiently and effectively.

2. PERMANENT TISSUES - These are specialized in function and

do not divide constantly.
APICAL MODIFICATION

● It is a cell modification found on the apical surface of

the cell

CILIA AND FLAGELLA

3. GROUND TISSUES - Forms the body of the plant and is

responsible for support, storage, and photosynthesis.

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VILLI AND MICROVILLI LATERAL MODIFICATION

 A cell junction that provides contact between

neighboring cells or between the cell and extracellular
matrix.

TIGHT JUNCTION

- Acts as barriers that regulate the movement of the

water and solutes between epithelial layers.
- Prevent leakage of ECF (Extracellular Fluid).

VILLI
- Finger-like projections that arise from the epithelial
layer in some organs. They help to increase surface
area allowing for faster and more efficient
adsorption.
MICROVILLI
- smaller projections that arise from the cell’s surface
that also increase surface area allowing faster and
more efficient adsorption.
PSEUDOPOD
ADHERING JUNCTION
- Anchoring junction on the lateral surface of the cell.
- Very similar to the anchoring junction of the basal
surface of the cell.
- Fasten cells to one another.
GAP JUNCTION
- Also known as communicating junctions.
- Closable channel that connect the cytoplasm of
adjoining animal cells.
- Presence of connexon that allow direct exchange of
chemical between the cytoplasm of the cells.

- Temporary, irregular lobes formed by amoebas and

some other eukaryotic cells.
- Bulge outward to move the cell or engulf prey
- From the Greek word pseudes and podos, meaning
“false” and “feet”.

EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM)

- Cell wall in the extracellular structure in plant cells

that distinguishes them from animal cell.
- They cover external surface, line up internal organs,
take up nutrients, export wastes, and interact with
the external environment.

BASAL MODIFICATION

 Cell modification found on the basal surface of the cell

desmosomes/hemidesmosomes

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