Cell Structure

& Function

http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html
 Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of cells.
• Cells are the smallest working units of all
living things.
• All cells come from preexisting cells
through cell division.
 Definition of Cell

A cell is the smallest unit that is

capable of performing life
functions.
 Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus

Plant Stem

Bacteria

Red Blood Cell

Nerve Cell
 Two Types of Cells

•Prokaryotic (no nucleus)

•Eukaryotic (contains a nucleus)

 Prokaryotic
• Do not have
structures
surrounded by
membranes
• Few internal
structures
• One-celled
organisms,
Bacteria

http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/prokaryotic_cells.html
 Eukaryotic
• Contain organelles surrounded by membranes
• Most living organisms
Plant Animal

http://library.thinkquest.org/C004535/eukaryotic_cells.html
 “Typical” Animal Cell

http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif
 “Typical” Plant Cell

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
 Investigation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrX3h-AflZI
Looking at cells :
•To allow us to see detail in these cells, we need the help of a microscope.
•Making slides
•A slide is a thin piece of glass used to hold objects which are examined under a microscope.
•Most slides will already be made up for you. If you do get the chance to prepare your own slide, here’s what
to do:
•Plant cells
1.Peel a thin, transparent layer of epidermal cells from the inside of an onion.
2.Place cells on a microscope slide.
3.Add a drop of water or iodine (a chemical stain).
4.Lower a coverslip onto the onion cells using forceps or a mounted needle. This needs to be done gently to
prevent trapping air bubbles.
•Animal cells
1.Remove cells from the inside of your cheek using a cotton bud.
2.Smear the cotton bud onto a microscope slide.
3.Add a drop of methylene blue (a chemical stain).
4.Lower a coverslip onto the cheek cells using forceps or a mounted needle. This needs to be done gently to
prevent trapping air bubbles.
•Chemical stains are used to make some cell parts more obvious.
 Drawing cell structures
• A good biological drawing should be:
• Drawn in pencil. Lines should be firm and
continuous with no gaps (not sketchy).
• Large with the same proportions as the
observed cell.
• Labelled using separate ruled lines. These
should be spread out with a bullet point on
one end and a clearly written label on the
other.
• Given a title that includes its magnification or
size.
Photomicrograph of onion
epidermis
Cell Parts
Organelles
Surrounding the Cell
 Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls movement
in and out of the cell
• Double layer

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Cell Wall
• Only in plant cells &
bacteria
• Outer membrane that
supports & protects
cells
• Made of cellulose

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Inside the Cell
 Nucleus

• Directs cell activities

• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear membrane
• Contains genetic material – DNA
• A structure called the nucleolus is also found in
the nucleus.
 Nuclear Membrane
• Surrounds nucleus
• Made of two layers
• Openings allow
material to enter and
leave nucleus

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Chromosomes
• In nucleus
• Made of DNA
• Contain instructions
for traits &
characteristics

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to build
proteins

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• Contains hereditary material
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Moves materials around
in cell
• Smooth type: lacks
ribosomes
• Rough type (pictured):
ribosomes embedded in
surface

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on Rough E.R
& floating throughout
the cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Mitochondria
• Produces energy through
chemical reactions –
breaking down fats &
carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and
other materials in cell
• Recycles and decomposes
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Plasmids
• A plasmid is a small, circular,
double-stranded DNA
molecule that is distinct from a
cell's chromosomal DNA.
Plasmids naturally exist in
bacterial cells, and they also
occur in some eukaryotes.
Often, the genes carried in
plasmids provide bacteria
with genetic advantages,
such as antibiotic
resistance.

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound
sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste
removal
• Contains water
solution
• Help plants maintain
shape
• Found only in plants

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant
cells
• Contains green
chlorophyll
• Where
photosynthesis takes
place

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 C.W/H.W
• Q1. Write differences between a plant cell and
an animal cell.
• Q2. Describe the structure of a bacterial cell.
• Q3. Describe the functions of the ribosomes,
mitochondria, circular deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) and
plasmids, cytoplasm, cell membrane and cell
wall  in animal, plant and bacterial cells.
• Q4. Draw labeled diagrams to represent
observations of the plant and animal cells under
the microscope.