4-1

Introduction to
the Cell
Important events in
the discovery of the
cell and the
development of the
cell theory…..
1665 – Robert Hooke
Observed cells in cork.
Coined the term "cells”.

Cork Cells
1673- Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Created a powerful
microscope
 1827-33 - Robert Brown
-noticed that pollen grains in water jiggled around
called “Brownian motion”
-discovered the nucleus
Nucleus

Human Cheek Cell

 1838 - Matthias Schleiden
A botanist who concluded that all plants are made of cells.

Typical Plant Cell

1839 - Theodor Schwann
A zoologist who concluded that all animals
are made of cells.

Nerve Cells
 1855 - Rudolph Virchow

A physician who did

research on cancer cells
and concluded
“Omnis cellula e cellula”.

“All cells are from other

pre-existing cells.”
 The Cell Theory
1. All living things are composed of
one or more cells.
2. Cells are the basic units of
structure and function in an
organism.
3. Cells come only from existing
cells.
Cells are Diverse…
both in size,
shape, and
internal
organization.
Why Are Cells So Small?
• Transport- Cell volume to surface
area ratios favor small size.
• Control- Nucleus to cytoplasm
consideration.
• Metabolic requirements-
……..we’ll come back to this later.
 How small can a cell be?

Mycoplasmas - bacteria that are 0.1 to 1.0 m.

(1/10 the size of regular
bacteria).

Note: 1.0 m = one millionth of a meter

 All cells have……
• Plasma (cell) Membrane
• Nucleus (eukaryotes only)
• Cytoplasm (an area)
• Organelles (structures with
specialized functions)
 Cell Types
Prokaryotes- simple cells that do
not have internal membranes
example = bacteria

Eukaryotes- more complex cells

that do have internal, membrane-
bound structures
examples = plants and animals
 Timeline
Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
Organisms: Organisms:
First appeared First appeared
2.0 BYA
3.5 BYA
include protists,
include bacteria fungi, plants and
and cyanobacteria animals
 Key Differences:
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
• Lack a nucleus and • Have a nucleus and other
other membrane
bounded structures. membrane bounded
• Have small ribosomes structures.
• DNA is not organized • Have large ribosomes
into chromosomes • DNA is organized into
• Flagella are not made of chromosomes
microtubules and does
not have a 9+2 structure • Flagella are made of
• Cell walls are made of microtubules and have a
peptidoglycan, not 9+2 structure
cellulose • Cell walls are made of
cellulose
 Examples
Prokaryotic Eukaryotic

Nucleus
Eukaryotic
Prokaryotic