Cell - Study Notes

Cell Structure And Cell Division

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The Cell

The cell is the basic unit of life.

All living things are made up of cells.

There are two types of cells: Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that do not have a nucleus.

Eukaryotic cells are more complex cells that have a nucleus.

Some of the key differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.

Feature Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

0.2-2
Size 10-100 micrometres
micrometres

Structure Simpler More complex

Nucleus No nucleus Nucleus, surrounded by a nuclear envelope

Organelles Fewer organelles Many membrane-bound organelles

Reproduction Binary fission Mitosis or meiosis

Found in a
Environment variety of Found in all living things
environments

0.2-2
Size 10-100 micrometres
micrometres

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Circular DNA
Linear DNA is located in the nucleus, which is surrounded by
DNA located in the
a nuclear envelope
nucleoid

Few or no
Many membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria,
membrane-
Organelles ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus,
bound
lysosomes, and vacuoles
organelles

Cell division Binary fission Mitosis or meiosis

Bacteria and
Examples Animal cells, plant cells, fungi cells, and algae cells
archaea

Some of the key differences between unicellular and multicellular organisms:

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 2 of 12

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Feature Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms

Number of
One Many
cells

Size Small Large

Complexity Simple Complex

All functions are carried out by a Different functions are carried out by
Function
single cell different cells

Reproduction Asexual reproduction Sexual reproduction

Examples Bacteria, archaea, protists Animals, plants, fungi, algae

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between animal and plant cells:

Feature Animal Cell Plant Cell

Cell wall Absent Present

Vacuole Small Large, central vacuole

Chloroplasts Absent Present

Centrioles Present Absent

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Cilia Present Absent

Lysosomes Present Absent

Cell membrane Present Present

Nucleus Present Present

Cytoplasm Present Present

Ribosomes Present Present

Endoplasmic reticulum Present Present

Golgi apparatus Present Present

Mitochondria Present Present

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 4 of 12

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Structure of the Cell

The cell membrane is the outer layer of the cell.

The cell membrane protects the cell and controls what enters and leaves the cell.

The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell.

The cytoplasm contains all of the cell's organelles.

The organelles are the tiny organs inside the cell.

Each organelle has a specific function.

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 5 of 12

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Cell Organelles

The organelles are the tiny organs inside the cell.

Each organelle has a specific function.

The Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell.

The cytoplasm contains all of the cell's organelles.

The organelles are the tiny organs inside the cell.

Each organelle has a specific function.

Nucleus

Founder: Robert Brown

The nucleus is the control center of the cell.

It contains the cell's DNA, which is the genetic material that determines the cell's
structure and function.

The nucleus also contains the nucleolus, which is responsible for the production of
ribosomes.

The nucleus is surrounded by a double membrane that protects the DNA from
damage.

The nucleus is also home to a number of proteins that are involved in DNA
replication and transcription.

The nucleus is a dynamic organelle that is constantly changing as the cell grows and
divides.

Mitochondria

Founder: Albert von Kölliker

The mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 6 of 12

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They produce energy in the form of ATP, which is used by the cell for all of its
activities.

Mitochondria are also responsible for the cell's metabolism, which is the process of
converting food into energy.

Mitochondria are surrounded by a double membrane that protects them from the
harsh environment of the cell.

The inner membrane of the mitochondria is folded into cristae, which increases the
surface area for the production of ATP.

Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is separate from the DNA in the nucleus.

Mitochondria are thought to have originated as free-living bacteria that were

engulfed by a primitive cell.

Ribosomes

Founder: George Palade

Ribosomes are the protein factories of the cell.

They are responsible for the production of proteins, which are essential for the
cell's structure and function.

Ribosomes can be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic

reticulum.

Ribosomes are made up of two subunits: a large subunit and a small subunit.

The large subunit contains the enzymes that are needed to synthesize proteins.

The small subunit contains the RNA that is used as a template for protein synthesis.

Ribosomes are constantly working to produce proteins that are needed by the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum

Founder: Keith R. Porter

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes that transports proteins

and other molecules throughout the cell.

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 7 of 12

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The ER has two main types: rough ER and smooth ER.

Rough ER is studded with ribosomes, which are responsible for the production of
proteins.

Smooth ER is not studded with ribosomes and is involved in the production of lipids
and other molecules.

The ER is connected to the nuclear envelope, which surrounds the nucleus.

The ER transports proteins and other molecules to other parts of the cell, such as
the Golgi apparatus, the lysosomes, and the vacuoles.

The ER also modifies proteins and other molecules.

Golgi apparatus

Founder: Camillo Golgi

The Golgi apparatus is the packaging center of the cell.

It receives proteins and other molecules from the ER and packages them into
vesicles that are then transported to other parts of the cell.

The Golgi apparatus also modifies proteins and other molecules.

The Golgi apparatus is made up of stacks of flattened sacs called cisternae.

The cisternae are connected to each other by small tubules.

The Golgi apparatus is located near the nucleus.

The Golgi apparatus is constantly working to package and modify proteins and
other molecules.

Lysosomes

Founder: Christian de Duve

Lysosomes are the waste disposal system of the cell.

They contain enzymes that break down waste products and other foreign
substances that enter the cell.

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Lysosomes also play a role in cell death, hence are also known as the suicide bags of
the cell.

Lysosomes are surrounded by a single membrane.

The membrane contains enzymes that are activated when the lysosome fuses with
another vesicle.

The enzymes then break down the contents of the vesicle.

Lysosomes are found in all cells, but they are most abundant in cells that are
involved in the breakdown of waste products, such as white blood cells and
macrophages.

Vacuoles

Founder: Hugo von Mohl

Vacuoles are the storage sacs of the cell.

They store water, nutrients, and waste products.

Vacuoles can also play a role in cell movement.

Vacuoles are surrounded by a single membrane.

The membrane is semi-permeable, which means that it allows some molecules to

pass through while blocking others.

Vacuoles are found in all cells, but they are most abundant in plant cells.

Plant cells have large vacuoles that store water and nutrients.

Animal cells have smaller vacuoles that store waste products.

The Cell Cycle

Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells. The process of
mitosis can be divided into four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase

The cell cycle is the process by which a cell grows and divides.

The cell cycle has four phases:

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 9 of 12

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Interphase: The cell grows and prepares to divide.

Prophase: The chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks

down.

Metaphase: The chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell.

Anaphase: The chromosomes are pulled apart to opposite sides of the cell.

Telophase: The chromosomes decondensed and the nuclear envelope reforms.

Interphase

The cell grows and prepares to divide.

The DNA is replicated.

The centrosomes duplicate.

The spindle fibers form.

Prophase

The chromosomes condense.

The nuclear envelope breaks down.

The nucleolus disappears.

The centrosomes move to opposite poles of the cell.

Metaphase

The chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, along the metaphase plate.

The spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes.

Anaphase

The centromeres of the chromosomes split.

The sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell.

Telophase

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The chromosomes are decondensed.

The nuclear envelope reform.

The nucleoli reappear.

Cytokinesis begins, dividing the cell into two identical daughter cells.

The cell cycle is a continuous process that allows cells to grow and divide to produce new
cells.

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Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells, each with half the
number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

The process of meiosis can be divided into two stages: Meiosis I and Meiosis II.

Meiosis I is the first stage of meiosis. During meiosis I, the homologous chromosomes
pair up and exchange genetic material.

This process is called crossing over. After crossing over, the homologous
chromosomes are separated and each daughter cell receives one copy of each
chromosome.

Meiosis II is the second stage of meiosis. During meiosis II, the chromosomes in each
daughter cell divide, resulting in four daughter cells, each with half the number of
chromosomes as the parent cell.

Cell division is an essential process for the growth and development of all living things.

It is also essential for the reproduction of sexually reproducing organisms.

SUBJECT | Cell Structure and Cell Division 12 of 12