Cells

Cells
- Basic unit of life, sharing many common mechanisms across different
Are of similar structure and functions
classes of organisms (plant, animals, microorganisms). but vary from different types of cells
- Every cell is composed of microscopic parts called ORGANELLES
- Came from tiny compartments called "cellulae" or small rooms which are inhabited by
the monks.

2 Major Classifications of Cells:

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
(Single-celled) (Multicellular)

Discovery of Cells

- First discovered the cell in 1665 and can be found to be described in his book: Micrographia.
- Discovered a slice of cork made up of thousand tiny compartments
- This theory was further developed through the invention a microscope by Anton Van
Leeuwenhoek
-It is not him who invented the microscope but Zacharias Janssen
-Father of microscopy

Cell Theory

1. Cells are the basic unit of structure and functions in

living things.
2. All organisms are made up of one or more cells
3. All cells arises from pre-existing cells. (attributed to Rudolf
Virchow)
- Given the credit for developing the
cell theory; formulated in 1839.

-Postulate #3 is attributed to him. It was an important

step in the movement away from spontaneous
generation.

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 The Modern Cell Theory Interpretations
The generally accepted parts of modern cell theory include:
-All known living things are made up of one or more cells.
-All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division.
-The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living organisms.
-The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells.
-Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs within cells.
-Cells contain DNA which is found specifically in the chromosome and RNA found in
the cell nucleus and cytoplasm.
-All cells are basically the same in chemical composition in organisms of similar
species.

What are cells?

-All organisms are made up of cells. Cells are a basic unit of life, sharing many
common mechanisms across different classes of organisms (plants, animals,
microorganisms). Between these classes there are also key in cell architecture. Every
cell is composed of microscopic parts called ORGANELLES.

Organelles common to both type of cells (animal and

plant)
• PLASMA MEMBRANE
-It is the boundary that separates the living cell from its surrounding. This protects
and regulates substances from going in and out.

• NUCLEUS (EUKARYOTE) AND NUCLEOID

(PROKARYOTE)
-Eukaryotes: membrane-bound compartment which contains hereditary instructions such as
DNA
-Prokaryotes: a region in the cytoplasm where DNA is concentrated.

• CYTOPLASM
- This includes everything except the plasma membrane and the nucleus. It is a region where
materials are synthesized and broken down. This is also where the different organelles are
suspended.

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 Major organelles of an animal cell:
• Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Produces an enormous variety of molecules
- Composed of smooth and rough ER

 Rough ER

▪ The "roughness" of the rough ER is due to ribosomes that stud the outside of the
ER membrane

Functions:
a. Producing proteins
b. Producing new membrane

 Smooth ER

▪ -Lacks the surface ribosomes of ER and produces lipids, including steroids

• The Golgi Apparatus

- Works in partnership with the ER; Refines, stores, and distributes the products of
cells
- Named after Camillo Golgi
- A system of flattened, membrane-bound sacs

• Lysosomes
- Membrane-enclosed sac which contains digestive enzymes
-Produced by the Golgi apparatus; site of organelle recycling

• Vacuoles
- For storage of water and food or for excretion of waste materials

• Mitochondria
- Powerhouse of the cell
- Produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

• Ribosomes
- These creates proteins needed for repairing damage or for chemical process

• Cytoskeleton - Gives a cell its shape, offers, support, and facilitates movement

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 • CENTRIOLES
- Helps with cell division (mitosis) in animal cells

In contrast with animal cells, plants typically have a CELL WALL (which covers the
plasma membrane), and organelles to perform photosynthesis. These photosynthetic
structures are the chloroplasts, central vacuole, and the cell wall itself. The
CHLOROPLASTS are the sites of photosynthetic reactions. The rest of the organelles of
the plant cell has the same function with the animal cells.

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