Cell Structure

& Function

http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html
 Objectives
– Explain the variations in the different types of
cells
– Describe the structures found in cells
– Analyze the functions of the various parts of
cells
 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
Cell Comparison
 Two Types of Cells

•Prokaryotic
•Eukaryotic
 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
 Cell Size and Shape
• The shapes of cells
are quite varied with
some, such as
neurons,
• being longer than
they are wide
 Cell Size and Shape
• and erythrocytes
(red blood cells)
being
equidimensional
 Cell Size and Shape
• Some cells are encased in a rigid wall,
which constrains their shape, while
others have a flexible cell membrane
(and no rigid cell wall).
 Cell Size and Shape
• The size of cells is
also related to their
functions.
• Eggs (or to use the
Latin word, ova) are
very large, often
being the largest
cells an organism
produces.
Sizes of viruses, cells, and
organisms
Cell Parts
Organelles
 “Typical” Plant Cell

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
Surrounding the Cell
 Cell Wall
• Most commonly found
in plant cells &
bacteria
• Supports & protects
cells

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
 The Cell Wall
1. Plant cells have a
cell wall
2. Animal cells do not
have cell walls
 The Cell Wall
3. The cell wall
serves as the
outermost barrier
of the cell
4. The cell wall is
located outside
the plasma
membrane.
 The Cell Wall
• 5. composed of cellulose
– a. Provides rigidity for the
walls of the cell
– b. Provides some support
for the entire plant
– c. Is very important in the
production of agricultural
products such as lumber
and paper
 The Cell Wall
• Cellulose is a polysaccharide that is
composed of unbranched chains of glucose
 The Cell Wall
• It is the major structural carbohydrate of plants,
insoluble in water, and indigestible in the
human intestine.
 The Cell Wall
6. Cell walls of softer
plant parts
A. Pectin aids in giving
the cell wall strength
B. The cell walls of
softer plants have
two layers –
– While harder plant
parts may have
several layers

Lily Parenchyma Cell (cross-section)

Plasma Cell Membrane
• All cells have a 'skin',
called the plasma
membrane,
protecting it from the
outside
environment. 
• The cell membrane
regulates the
movement of water,
nutrients and wastes
into and out of the
cell. 
 Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls movement
in and out of the cell
• Double layer

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 The Cell Membrane
• functions as a semi-
permeable barrier,
allowing a very few
molecules across it
while fencing the
majority of organically
produced chemicals
inside the cell.
 The Cell Membrane
• The most common
molecule in the
model is the
phospholipid
• phospholipids are
aligned tail to tail
 The Cell Membrane
• Cholesterol is
another important
component of cell
membranes
embedded in the
hydrophobic areas
of the inner (tail-tail)
region.
 The Cell Membrane
• Most bacterial cell
membranes do not
contain cholesterol
 The Cell Membrane
• Proteins are
suspended in the
inner layer,
although the more
hydrophilic areas
of these proteins
"stick out" into the
cells interior and
outside of the cell.
 The Cell Membrane
• These proteins
function as
gateways that will,
in exchange for a
price, allow certain
molecules to cross
into and out of the
cell.
 The Cell Membrane
• These integral
proteins are
sometimes known
as gateway
proteins.
 The Cell Membrane
• The outer surface of
the membrane will
tend to be rich in
glycolipids, which
have their
hydrophobic tails
embedded in the
hydrophobic region of
the membrane and
their heads exposed
outside the cell.
 The Cell Membrane
• Phospholipids are made up of a hydrophilic head
and a hydrophobic tail
 The Cell Membrane

Cell Membranes from Opposing Neurons

 The Cell Membrane
• The contents (both
(1) chemical and (2)
organelles) of the
cell are termed:
• Protoplasm,
 The Cell Membrane
• They are further
subdivided into:
• Cytoplasm
– (all of the protoplasm
except the contents
of the nucleus) and
Nucleus with Nuclear
• Nucleoplasm
Pores
– (all of the material,
plasma and DNA etc.
within the nucleus).
 The Cell Membrane

Review
– 1. Found inside the cell wall
– 2. Found in plant and animal cells
– 3. All material that passes into and out of cell must go
through the cell membrane
– 4. The cell membrane is selectively or semi permeable
• It only allows certain materials to pass through
 The Cell Membrane
– 5. The membrane allows materials needed for
life processes to pass through and also gets rid
of waste materials left over from these
processes
– 6. Materials pass though the membrane in a
process called diffusion
• Molecules in solution pass through the membrane
from a region of higher concentration of molecules to
a region of lower concentration of molecules
 The Cell Membrane
• Cell membranes
– 7. Water is passed through the cell membrane
through osmosis
– 8. Through the process of diffusion and
osmosis, the amount of materials moving in
and out of cells and cell parts are regulated
• a. allows the cell to remain constant even though
conditions in the environment might change
 The Cell Membrane
– 8. Through the process of diffusion and
osmosis, the amount of materials moving in
and out of cells and cell parts are regulated
• b. Homeostasis
– Ability of an organism to remain stable when conditions
around it are changing
 The Cell Membrane
– 8. Through the process of diffusion and
osmosis, the amount of materials moving in
and out of cells and cell parts are regulated
• c. Turgid
– Cells filled with the proper amount of water are filled out
and taut
Inside the Cell
 Nucleus

• Directs cell activities

• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear
membrane
• Contains genetic material - DNA
 The Nucleus
• The nucleus
occurs only in
eukaryotic
cells, and is the
location of the
majority of
different types of
nucleic acids
 The Nucleus
• Deoxyribonucleic
acid
• DNA
– Is the physical
carrier of
inheritance and with
the exception of
plastid DNA
– all DNA is restricted
to the nucleus.
The Nucleus
• Ribonucleic acid
– RNA
– Is formed in the
nucleus by coding
off of the DNA
bases.
– RNA moves out into
the cytoplasm.
The Nucleus
• The nucleolus is an
area of the nucleus
(usually 2 nucleoli
per nucleus) where
ribosome's are
constructed.
 The Nucleus
• Composition of
the nucleus
– a. Nucleic acids
– b. Protein
– c. Enzymes
– d. Surrounded
by a double-
layer membrane
Structure of the nucleus. Note
the chromatin, uncoiled DNA
that occupies the space
within the nuclear envelope.
 The Nucleus
• The nuclear envelope is a double-membrane
structure. Numerous pores occur in the
envelope, allowing RNA and other chemicals
to pass, but the DNA not to pass.
 The Nucleus
• Structure of the
nuclear
envelope and
nuclear pores.

Nucleus with Nuclear Pores

 Nuclear Envelope
• 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

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 Nucleolus
• Inside nucleus
• Contains RNA to build
proteins

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 Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• Contains hereditary material
 Cytoplasm
• The cytoplasm
is the material
between the
plasma
membrane
(cell
membrane)
and the
nuclear
envelope.
 Cytoplasm
• Fibrous proteins that
occur in the cytoplasm
• Referred to as the
cytoskeleton
maintain the shape of
the cell as well as
anchoring organelles,
moving the cell and
controlling internal
movement of
structures.
 Cytoplasm
• Cytoskeleton  
• A three-dimensional
network of
microtubules and
filaments that provides
internal support for the
cells, anchors internal
cell structures, and
functions in cell
movement and division.
 Cytoplasm
• Microtubules function in cell division and
serve as a "temporary scaffolding" for other
organelles.
 Cytoplasm
1. Cytoplasm
• a. Thick clear fluid that surrounds the nucleus
• b. Contains all of the material needed by the cell to
conduct life processes
• c. Fluid in cytoplasm aids in moving essential
materials
• d. Fluid in cytoplasm is constantly moving and
suspends other parts of the cell
 Cytoplasm
2. In certain organisms, like amoebas, movement is obtained
through the movement of cytoplasm within the cell

3. In certain cells, pigments within the cytoplasm give an

organism its color.
 Organelles
Small structures within the cell that serve
different roles
– They support the cell in much the same way
that organs support the body of an animal
– small structures that help carry out the day-to-
day operations of the cell. 
Mitochondria
• Mitochondria (many
mitochondrion) are
often referred to as the
power plants of the cell
because many of the
reactions that produce
energy take place in
mitochondria. 
 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
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. Mitochondria
– a. Shaped like
a peanut
– b. Function:
• (1) To break
down food
nutrients
• (2) Supply the
cell with energy
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. Mitochondria have
two membranes, an
inner and an outer,
clearly visible in this
electron microscope
photo of a
mitochondrion.
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. The inner
membrane folds
into a series of
cristae, which are
the surfaces on
which ATP is
generated.
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. Mitochondria
(singular:
mitochondrion) are
the sites of aerobic
respiration, and
generally are the
major energy
production center in
eukaryotes.
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. Mitochondria
contain their own
DNA (termed
mDNA)
 Organelles - Mitochondria
1. The
mitochondrion has
been termed the
powerhouse of the
cell.
 Organelles - Vacuoles
2. Vacuoles
– a. Serve as a
storage
compartment for
the cell
– b. Consist of
membrane that
encloses water
and other
material
 Organelles - Vacuoles
2. Vacuoles
– c. Store the
nutrients and
enzymes needed
by the plant
– d. Provide a
storage space for
the waste
materials given
off by the cell
 Organelles - Microtubules
3. Microtubules
a. Shaped like a
small hollow tube
b. composed of
protein
 Organelles - Microtubules
3. Microtubules
c. Act as the
“bones” of the
cell
1. Give support
to the cell
2. Give cells
their shape
 Organelles - Microtubules
3. Microtubules
d. Assist in the
movement of
chromosomes
during cell
division
 Organelles – Microfilaments
4. Microfilaments
– a. Fine fiber like structures composed of
protein
– b. Help the cell to move by waving back and
forth
Ribosomes
• Ribosomes
participate in protein
synthesis.  
 Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on ribosomes
& floating throughout
the cell

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 Organelles - Ribosomes
5. Ribosomes are the
sites of protein
synthesis.

•They are not

membrane-bound and
thus occur in both
prokaryotes and
eukaryotes.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
5. Ribosomes are
slightly larger than
prokaryotic ones.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Structurally the ribosome consists of a
small and larger subunit.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Structurally the ribosome consists of a
small and larger subunit.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Biochemically
the ribosome
consists of
ribosomal RNA
(rRNA) and
some 50
structural
proteins.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Often
ribosomes
cluster on the
endoplasmic
reticulum, in
which case they
resemble a
series of
factories
adjoining a
railroad line.
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Rough
(endoplasmic
reticulum) ER is
studded with
ribosomes;
smooth ER is
not
 Organelles - Ribosomes
• Ribosomes and
Polyribosomes -
liver cell
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
• The structure of  
membranous
channels within
eukaryotic cells which
is the site of most
protein and lipid
biosynthesis
 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
 Organelles – Endoplasmic
Reticulum
– a. Large
webbing or
network of
double
membranes
that is
positioned
throughout the
cell
 Organelles – Endoplasmic
Reticulum
– b. Provides the
means for
transporting
material
through the
cell

The endoplasmic reticulum. Rough endoplasmic reticulum is

on the left, smooth endoplasmic reticulum is on the right
 Organelles – Endoplasmic
Reticulum
• ER bound to
ribosomes is called
rough ER because
the ribosomes
appear as black
dots on the ER in
electron microscope
photos, giving the
ER a rough texture.
 Organelles – Endoplasmic
Reticulum
• Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum with
Ribosomes
 Organelles – Endoplasmic
Reticulum
• Rough ER has
ribosomes
attached to it,
and smooth ER
does not.
 The Golgi Apparatus
• Site of processing
and separation of
membrane
components and
secretory materials
of the cell
 Golgi apparatus
• Protein 'packaging
plant'
• Move materials within
the cell
• Move materials out of
the cell

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 Organelles – Golgi Apparatus
Golgi apparatus
– a. shaped like a
group of flat sacs
that are bundled
together
 Organelles – Golgi Apparatus
Golgi apparatus
– b. Function to
remove water
from the proteins
and prepare
them for export
from the cell
 Organelles – Golgi Apparatus
Structure of the Golgi
apparatus and its
functioning in
vesicle-mediated
transport.
Organelles – Golgi Apparatus
. Structure of the
Golgi apparatus and
its functioning in
vesicle-mediated
transport.
Organelles – Golgi Apparatus
Golgi Apparatus in a
plant parenchyma
cell
 Lysosomes
• Also important in the • Lysosomes are
life of a cell are the organelles that
lysosomes.    contain enzymes that
aid in the digestion of
nutrient molecules
and other materials.
 Lysosome
• Digestive 'plant' for
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
• Transports undigested
material to cell
membrane for removal
• Cell breaks down if
lysosome explodes

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 Organelles - Lysosomes
. Lysosomes are
relatively large
vesicles formed
by the Golgi.
 Organelles - Lysosomes
Lysosomes
a. The
digestive unit
of the cell
 Organelles - Lysosomes
Lysosomes
b. They digest:
– Proteins
– Carbohydrates
– Foreign
materials
– Other
molecules
 Organelles - Lysosomes
. Lysosomes
c. Worn out
(nonfunctional)
cell parts are
broken down by
lysosomes
 Organelles – Plastids
membrane-bound
organelles that
only occur in
plants and
photosynthetic
eukaryotes.
 Organelles – Plastids
– a. Found only in
plant cells
– b. Three types
• 1. Chloroplasts
• 2. Leucoplasts
• 3. Chromoplasts
 Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant
cells
• Contains green
chlorophyll
• Where
photosynthesis takes
place

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 Organelles – Plastids

Like mitochondria,
(1)chloroplasts
have their own
DNA,
 Organelles – Plastids
(2) Leukoplasts
store starch,
sometimes protein
or oils.
 Organelles – Plastids
(3) Chromoplasts
store pigments
associated with the
bright colors of
flowers and/or fruits.
 Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound
sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste
removal
• Contains water
solution
• Help plants maintain
shape

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