2.1.1 – 2.1.

8 Cell Theory
 2.1.1.outline the cell theory
• Living organisms are composed of cells
• Cells are the smallest units of life
• Cells come from pre-existing cells
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• Muscle fibres: larger than most cells (300 or more mm
long), contain hundreds of nuclei. Not always tiny box-like
structures.
• Fungi consist of thread-like structures called hyphae
• Bone contain a greater volume of extracellular material
• Spontaneous generation is impossible. The first cells must
have been formed in the origin of life from non-cellular
material, but today there is no evidence that cells can be
formed except by cell division.
2.1.2. Discuss the evidence for the cell
theory.
• New cells are formed by the division of a
parent cell.
• Cells can only be formed from other cells.
(Spontaneous Generation is impossible)
 2.1.3. Unicellular organisms carry out
all the functions of life
• example: Amoeba, Chorella and Euglena
• This single cell has to carry out all the functions of life:
metabolism…..chemical reactions inside the cell
Response…….reacting to stimuli
Homeostasis…… controlling conditions inside the cell
Growth……..increasing in size
Reproduction……..producing offspring
Nutrition……….obtaining food
Amoeba
Chorella
Euglena
 2.1.4. Compare the relative sizes of molecules, cell
membrane thickness, viruses, bacteria, organelles and
cells, using the appropriate SI unit

• 1 nm …….molecules • 1 μm…..Bacteria
• 10 nm …..membrane • Up to 10 μm ……
Organelles
thickness • Up to 100 μm…….
• 100 nm …. Viruses Cells

• 1 μm = 10-6 metre
• 1 nm = 10-9 metre • 1 mm = 10-3 metre
 2.1.5 calculate the linear magnification of drawings
and the actual size of specimens in images of known
magnification
Using scale bar to calculate magnification. 5 μm
• Measure the scale bar (15 mm)
• Convert these mm into the same units as the scale bar used.
(15 mm = 15000 μm)
• Divide this number by the number on the scale bar.
15000 : 5 = 3000. Magnification = 3000 x

Calculate the actual size using magnification (750 x)

• Measure the dimension of the object (41mm)
• Divide this by the magnification
• 41 : 750 = 0.055 mm
• Convert to a sensible unit. 0.055 mm x 1000 = 55 μm
• The actual size is 55 μm
 2.1.6. Explain the importance of the surface area to volume
ratio as a factor limiting cell size

Cube 1cm Cube 2 cm Cube 3 cm

Dimension 1x1x1 2x2x2 3x3x3

Surface Area 6x1= 6cm2 6x 2x2 = 24 6x3x3 = 54

cm2 cm2
Volume 1 cm3 8 cm3 27 cm3

SA/V ratio 6:1 3:1 2:1

SA/V Ratio:
• Small cells have larger ratio (than larger cells)/
ratio decreases as cells increases.
• Surface area/membrane must be large enough
to absorb nutrient/oxygen/substances needed.
• Surface area/membrane must be large enough
to excrete/pass out waste product.
• Need for materials is determined by cell volume
• Cell size is limited by SA/Vol ratio or cells divide
when they reach a certain size.
• Reference to diffusion across/through
membrane/surface area.
 2.1.7. /2.1.8.Multicellular organisms show emergent
properties
• Multicellular organisms consist of many cells. These
cells do not have to carry out many different
functions. Instead, they can become specialized for
one particular function and carry it out very
efficiently.
• Cells in a multicellular organism therefore develop
in different ways, called differentiation.
• Multicellular organisms are said to show emergent
properties, means that the whole organism is more
than the sum of its parts, because of the complex
interactions between cells.
The differentiation of cells in a multicellular
organism.
• differentiation is development in
different/specific ways;
• cells carry out specialized functions / become
specialized;
• example of a differentiated cell in a multicellular
organism;
• cells have all genes / could develop in any way;
• some genes are switched on / expressed but not
others;
• position / hormones / cell to cell signals /
chemicals determine how a cell develops;
• a group of differentiated cells is a tissue;