CELLS

Combined Science
 CELL THEORY

1. All living organisms are composed of

one or more cells.
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure
and organization of all living
organisms.
3. Cells arise only from previously
existing cells, with cells passing
copies of their genetic material on to
their daughter cells
BASIC CELL TYPES

Eukaryotic
- Nucleus and membrane-bound
organelles.
- Most pluricellular organisms are
Eukaryotic.
- Unicellular organisms can be
eukaryotes.

Prokaryotic
- Without a nucleus or membrane-
bound organelles.
- Most unicellular organisms are
Prokaryotic.
 CELL STRUCTURE

Plasma Membrane

- Thin, flexible boundary between a cell

and its environment.
- Helps to maintain a cell’s homeostasis.
- Allows nutrients into the cell and allows
waste and other products to leave the
cell.
- Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells have
plasma membrane.
- Selective permeability.
 CELL STRUCTURE
Cytoplasm and Cytoskeleton
- A semifluid material inside the plasma
membrane.
- Prokaryotic cells: All of the chemical processes
take place in cytoplasm.
- Organelles do not float freely in a cell, but are
supported by cytoskeleton.
- The cytoskeleton is made of substructures called
microtubules and microfilaments.
- Microtubules and microfilaments assist in
moving substances within the cell.
 CELL STRUCTURE

Other organelles
CELL STRUCTURE
CELL STRUCTURE
CELL STRUCTURE
SPECIALIZED CELLS
Cell differentiation
 CELL DIFFERENTIATION

The process of a cell changing from one cell type to

another, typically from a less specialized type (stem
cell) to a more specialized type (organ/tissue
specific cell, eg, colonocyte).

Undifferentiated cells receive signals which

stimulates the expression of genes for cell to
undergo change in metabolism and shape, enabling
them to carry out specialised functions - forming a
specialised cell.

Therefore, this allows organism to develop cells

necessary to grow and develop as specialised cells
can undertake specific functions.
SPECIALIZED CELLS

Cells that have changed their shape and structure

so they are suited to carry out a particular job.
 NERVE CELL

Carry electric impulses quickly around the body.

Long - to cover more distance

Long and branched connections at the top and bottom of the cell
- to connect to lots of other nerve cells and create a web of nerve
cells.
 RED BLOOD CELLS

Resemble discs with pinched-in centers. Develop in the

marrow—the center portion of large bones.

Have no nuclei and only live for about 120 days.

Mostly consist of an iron-containing protein called hemoglobin.

Chemically binds with oxygen molecules.

 SPERM CELLS

Enzymes in the sperm-head to help break through

the egg cell membrane.

Long tail - so the sperm cell can swim towards the egg.

Lots of mitochondria - so the sperm cell has lots of energy for

swimming

Narrow head - to make the sperm cell streamline for faster

swimming.
MUSCLE CELL

Found in the flesh of animals - Contract

quickly to allow movement.

Long - so that they have space to contract.

Contain lots of mitochondria - so they have

enough energy to contract.
PLANT CELLS

Grow into long ‘hairs’ to absorb minerals and water from

the soil.
Large surface area - so that it can absorb more water and
minerals from the water.