CELL- THE BASIC UNIT OF

LIFE
 Content:-

 Introduction
 Discovery of Cell
 Cell Theory
 Shape and size of Cells
 Microscopic Examination Of Cells
 INTRODUCTION
Cell is the basic unit of
the structure and
function of living
things.
 All organisms are made
up of one or more
cells.
 Cells are the smallest
unit of life.
 Discovery of Cell
 In 1665, Robert Hooke,
a British scientist
discovered cells by
examining slices of cork
under a microscope.

 “Micrographia” – Book
written by Robert
Cork Cells ( box-like
Hooke.
compartments/Honeycomb like
Hook’s Microscope
structure )
LIGHT MICROSCOPE

Human skin cells Human Nerve cells

SLIDES

COVER SLIPS
 Cell theory
 Proposed by M.J. Schleiden and
Theodor Schwann.

 The cell theory can be stated as :-

1) All organisms are made up of cells.
2) Cell is the basic structural unit of all
organisms.

3) Pre-existing cells only give rise to new

cells.
Rudolf Virchow
 Shape and size of cells

Pseudopodia

RBC- Round and WBC – Only human

Irregular in shape cell that changes its
flattened.
shape.

Nerve cell – Branched structure Smooth muscle cells - Spindle shaped

• Smallest cell – Mycoplasma (0.2 micrometers)
• Largest cell – Egg of Ostrich (15-20 centimeters)
(about 1.5 kg)
In Human body
• Smallest cell – Sperm cell
• Largest cell - Ovum

Is the size of the body of The size of the body of an

an organism depends on organism depends on the
the size of the cell? number of cells present.
Microscopic examination of cells