LESSON 1: Cell: The Building Blocks of Life
1. All living things are made up of cells.
I. Introduction
This text is designed for you to learn about the exciting
world of cytology, specifically the miniature world of
living organisms. You will dwell and study about the
wonders of cell and its role in your body as well as its
parts that help to carry out its functions. You will also
explore the major classifications of cells and contrast
them based on their cell structures. In this lesson, you
will also have to reflect on how cells carry out functions
required by life.
II. Objectives
1. explain the postulates of the cell theory
(STEM_BIO11/12 – Ia – c - 1);
2. describe the structure and function of major and
subcellular organelles (STEM_BIO11/12 – Ia – c – 2).
3. distinguish prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells according
to their distinguishing features
(STEM_BIO11/12 – Ia – c 3).
III. Discussion
CELL DISCOVERY TIMELINE
1590s – Zacharias Janssen, a Dutch eyeglass maker,
invented the very first ______________.
Clue: It is an instrument used to magnify small objects.
Ans. Microscope
1665- while looking at a piece of cork under the
microscope, Robert Hooke saw a box-shaped structures
that he called___________.
Clue: it is the basic unit of structure and function in living
things.
Ans. Cell
1674- __________________, while looking at pond
water under the microscope, observed what he called
“animalcules”.
Clue: He is known as the Father of Microbiology.
Ans. Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
1838- Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, stated
that ___________ are made up of cell.
Clue: What do botanists’ study?
Ans. Plant
1839- Theodor Schwann, a German physiologist,
concluded that _____________ are also made up of
cells.
Clue: examples of this include mammals, birds, fish,
amphibians, reptiles and insects.
Ans. Animals
1855- Rudolf Virchow stated that cells come from pre-
existing cells through _______________.
Clue: it is the process by which a parent cell divides into
two or more daughter cells.
Ans. Cell division
CELL THEORY
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function
in an organism.
3. Cells come from pre-existing cells. “Omnis cellula
e cellula” ~ Rudolf Virchow
4. Cells carry genetic material which is passed from
cell to cell during cell division.
5. All cells are basically the same in structure and
chemical composition.
6. Energy flow (biochemical process) occurs within
the cells.
CELL STRUCTURES
Organelles
 Literally means “little organs”
 Specialized structures found within the cell
which performs specific functions vital to cellular
life.
1. Cell Membrane (plant and animal cell)
- A thin, double layer of protein and fat
- Separates the inner contents of the cell with
its environment
- Regulates the passage of materials in and
out of the cell
2. Cell Wall (plant cell)
- A rigid membrane surrounding plant cells
made up mostly of cellulos
- Gives the cell protection, support, and
structure
3. Nucleus (plant and animal cell)
- A membrane-bound spherical body
discovered by Robert Brown in 1831
- Stores the cell’s DNA
- Control and regulates cell activities
- Controls the synthesis of ribosomes and
proteins
 Nucleolus
- A spherical body found inside the nucleus
- Produces and assembles ribosomes
4. Ribosome (plant and animal cell)
- A large complex of protein and RNA
- Site of protein synthesis
5. Mitochondria (plant and animal cell)
- A double-membraned, rod-shaped organelle
- Has its own DNA
- Produces chemical energy needed to power
the cell in the form of ATP (adenosine
triphosphate)
6. Endoplasmic Reticulum (plant and animal cell)
- A series of interconnected membranous sacs
and tubules
TWO TYPES
1. Rough ER
2. Smooth ER
 7. Golgi Body (plant and animal cell)
- Also called Golgi Complex or Golgi Apparatus
- A series of flattened, sac ,membranes that
resembles a stack of pancakes
- Sort, tag, package and distribute lipids and
proteins

8. Lysosome (animal cell)

- Spherical bodies containing digestive
enzymes
- Digest cellular nutrients
- Breaks down worn out or damage organelles
- Aids in apoptosis (programmed cell death)

9. Chloroplast (plant cell)

PROKARYOTIC CELL
- A long disc-shaped organelle containing the
 “pro” – before + “karyon” – kernel or nut
pigment chlorophyll  a simple, single-celled (unicellular) organism
- Site of photosynthesis that lacks a nucleus, or any other membrane-bound
organelle.
10. Vacuole (plant cell)  most of its DNA is found in what is known as the
- A large space within the cell that enclosed in nucleoid region.
a membrane and filled with fluid  Ex. Algae, bacteria, mycoplasma
- Maintains water balance EUKARYOTIC CELLS
- Maintains cell shape  “eu” – good, well or true + “karyon” – kernel or nut
- Stores nutrients and waste products  is a cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and
other membrane-bound compartments or sacs, called
11. Cytoskeleton (plant and animal cell) organelles, which have specialized functions.
- A network of protein filaments or fibers
- Types: microfilaments, microtubules and PROKARYOTES EUKARYOTES
intermediate filaments Size Smaller; Larger,unicellular
- Provides shape and structures , movement, unicellular and multicellular
involved spindle formation during cell Kingdom Archaea; bacteria Protists, fungi,
plants, animals
division.
nucleus absent present
organelles absent Present
Cell wall None, DNA Meiosis
Cell Categories: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells transfer thru
Cells fall into one of the two broad categories: prokaryotic and conjugation
eukaryotic. The single-celled organisms of the domains Cell division Binary fission mitosis
Bacteria and Structure of Circular, haploid Linear, diploid
Archaea are classified as prokaryotes (pro = before; karyon– = DNA
nucleus).
Animal cells, plant cells, fungi, and protists are eukaryotes (eu = CELL SPECIALIZATION
true).  also known as cell differentiation. It is the process by
which generic cells change to different types of cells to
Components of Prokaryotic Cells be able to perform special or specific functions.

All cells share four common components: (1) a plasma

membrane, an
outer covering that separates the cell’s interior from its
surrounding
environment; (2) cytoplasm, consisting of a jelly-like region
within the cell in

which other cellular components are found; (3) DNA, the

genetic material of
the cell; and (4) ribosomes, particles that synthesize proteins.
However,
prokaryotes differ from eukaryotic cells in several ways.

SPECIALIZED CELL IN ANIMALS

NAME FUNCTION ADAPTATION
Red Blood Cell Carry oxygen -no nucleus
throughout the -biconcave shape
body -contains
hemoglobin
 White Blood Cell Plays an important -irregular shape
role in the immune -can produce
system antibodies and
antitoxins
Sperm Cell Fertilize an egg cell -long tale to swim
to make a baby -numerous
mitochondria
-with chemicals on
the head for egg
cell entry
Egg Cell Carries genetic -large ad bulky
material -a chemical change
in the membrane
prevents
fertilization of more
than one sperm
Nerve Cell or Carry nerve -long, thin axon
Neuron impulses through -branching
the body dendrites
-myelinated
Muscle Cell Facilitate -elongated and
movement elastic
-numerous
mithochondria

SPECIALIZED CELL IN PLANTS

NAME FUNCTION ADAPTATION
Guard Cell Regulates rate of Cell wall has
transpiration varying thickness
Root Hair Cell Absorbs water and Long and thin with
minerals from the large surface area
soil
Photosynthetic Cell Produces food Contains
through the numerous
process of chloroplast
photosynthesis
Xylem Vessel Transport water -has lignin
and minerals from -No protoplasm
the roots to other -cells form a
parts of the plant. continuous tube

CELL MODIFICATION

Adaptations or changes acquired by the cell after cell division

that aids the cell in various beneficial way.

CILIA
 hair like organelles extending from the cell surface
Types Of Cilia
1. Non-Motile or primary cilia (sensory)
2. Motile (movement)
FLAGELLA
 Long, whip-like, tail-like structures made of protein
filaments.
 Aids in movement
VILLI or MICROVILLI
 Small, slender, vascular, finger like projections
 Increases surface area to increase absorption
PSEUDOPODS
 “false feet”
 Temporary extension of the cytoplasm
 Movement and ingestion (phagocytosis)