The Cell – Cell Theory

The learners explain the postulates of the cell theory.

(STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)
 Levels of Biological organization
• Organism –highly organized
form of living nature. This
term first appeared in French
dictionary (1729) and the
stated meaning is an
ensemble of organs that
constitutes a living thing.

• Organization
One of the most distinctive
features of life is that, it is
highly organized into a
hierarchy of structural levels
 Cell
• The cell is the smallest unit of life able to control its own
activities, but it relies on the rest of the organism (if
multicellular) or the surroundings (if unicellular) to provide it
with raw materials like nutrients and removal of metabolic
wastes.
 Important Events in the Discovery of Cells
• Robert Hooke
1665 -English scientist that cut a thin slice
of cork and looked at it under his
microscope. To him, the cork seemed to be
made up of empty little boxes, which he
named cells.
• Anton Van Leewenhoek
1673 - Dutch naturalist who created a very
powerful (for the time period) single lens
microscope, He observed pond water. In
pond scum he discovered small animals he
called animalcules,or little animals
(protists),and also discovered bacteria
while examining scraping of crud from his
teeth.
• Matthias Schleiden
1838 - German botanist who
determined plants are
composed of cells.
• Theodor Schwann
German physiologist and
histologist who in 1838 and
1839 identified the cell as the
basic structure of plant and
animal tissue.
• Rudolph Virchow
1858 - A doctor who stated
that all living cells come from
other living cells (part 3 of the
cell theory)
 The Cell Theory Of Biology
• Cells are the basic units of life.
• All organisms are constructed of cells. Every living organism on
earth is at least a single cell or a population of cells.
• Except for the origin of life itself, all cells arise from pre-
existing cells. Cells arise only by division of living cells, never by
aggregation of cell parts and cell chemicals
• Cells of multicellular organisms are sometimes interconnected,
enabling the resultant populations to function as single units
• Cells of multicellular animals must stick to solid surfaces to
divide, move, assume specialized shapes and carry the
necessary functions of life
 A. Properties of Cells
• Cells are complex and highly organized
– They contain numerous internal structures
– Some are membrane bound (ex, organelles) while others do
not
• Cells contain genetic blueprint and machinery to use it
– Genes are instructions for cells to create specific proteins
– All cells use the same type of information
– The genetic code is universal
– The machinery used for synthesis is interchangeable
– However, for this to function properly, the information must
be error free ( errors are called mutations).
• Cells arise from the division of other cells
– Daughter cells inherit the genes from the mother cells
– Bacteria multiply by binary fission
– Eukaryotic cells divide thru mitosis where the genetic complements of each
daughter cell is identical to the other and to the mother cell. This is asexual
reproduction
– Reproductive cells or gametes divide thru meiosis where the genetic complement
of each daughter cell is reduced by half and each daughter cell is genetically
unique. This is used in sexual reproduction.

• Cells acquire and utilize energy

– Plant cells undergo photosynthesis; convert light energy and CO2 to chemical
energy (ATP and glucose)
– Most cells respire
– Release energy found in organic compounds
– Convert organic compounds to CO2 and O2
– Make ATP
– Cells can perform a variety of chemical reactions
– Transform simple organic molecules into complex molecules (anabolism)
– Breakdown complex molecules to release energy (catabolism)
– Undergo metabolism (all reactions performed by cells)
• Cells can engage in mechanical activities
– Cells can move
– Organelles can move
– Cells can respond to stimuli
– Chemotaxis –movement towards chemicals
– Phototaxis – movement towards light
– Hormone responses
– Touch responses

• Cells can regulate activities

– Cells control DNA synthesis and cell division
– Gene regulation –cells make specific proteins only when needed
– Turn on and off metabolic pathways
• Cells contain the following structures
– Plasma membrane – separates the cell from the external environment
– Cytoplasm-fluid-filled cell interior
– Nuclear material –genetic information stored as DNA

• Most cells are small, about 5 to 20 micrometers (0.00019 to 0.00076 in) in

length
– The smallest cell of the microorganisms, Mycoplasma are 0.2
micrometer (0.0000076 in) but some giant cells are several
centimeters long

• All cells are of composed of similar chemicals and carry out the same
biochemical processes.
 Evidences/examples on the manifestation of
cell’s properties to the life of an organism
•Cells acquire and utilize energy
•Plant cells undergo photosynthesis; convert
•Cells can engage in mechanical
light energy and CO2 to chemical energy (ATP activities
and glucose) •Cells can move
•Most cells respire
•Release energy found in organic compounds •Organelles can move
•Convert organic compounds to CO2 and O2 •Cells can respond to stimuli
•Make ATP
•Chemotaxis –movement towards
•Cells can perform a variety of chemical
reactions chemicals
•Transform simple organic molecules into •Phototaxis – movement towards
complex molecules (anabolism)
•Breakdown complex molecules to release
light
energy (catabolism) •Hormone responses
•Undergo metabolism (all reactions performed
by cells)
•Touch responses