Structures and

Function of the Cell

DR. PORTIA A. EGKEN
 What is a
Cell?
Basic units of life
Highly organized structures with parts that
perform specific functions
eg. Tiny skin cells, photoreceptor cells
Long and thin nerve cells that receive and transmit
information to the different parts of your body
Microscopy and the Discovery of
Cell
Almost all cell cannot be seen with the naked eye, and it
was the invention of the microscope in the 16th Century that
paved the way for the discovery of the cell.

Earliest microscope – merely a tube with a plate for the

objects to be studied at one end and a lens at the other end.
People were able to visualize sperm cells and singled-
celled “animals” or animacules
The Early
Microscope
1597, HANS JANSSEN and his son ZACHARIAS JANSSEN
- discovered the combination of two lenses in a
particular arrangement was the secret to better
visualization.
17th Century Microscopes
ROBERT HOOKE
- An English scientist and mechanical
genius who pioneered in microscopic
research.
- English Father of Microscopy
- Greatest discoveries was the Cell
Antonie Van
Leeuwenhoek
- a Dutch maker of microscopes, was the first person to see
live cells in 1665 using the microscope that he himself made.
- he mounted double-convex lens between brass plates,
capable of giving 270 times magnification
- he made pioneering discoveries on protozoa, RBC, capillary
system and life cycle of insect
- Paved the way for the dev’t of the world’s first practical
microscope.
Electron
Microscope
- have greater magnifying power and greater
resolution, can magnify objects up to 500,000 times
their actual size.
- used beams of accelerated electrons as source of
illumination, and use electrostatic and
electromagnetic lenses in forming the image.
The first prototype of EM
was built in 1931 by two
German Engineers, Ernst
Ruska and Max Knoll
TIMELINE OF THE CELL THEORY
lenses used 100s of years ago as magnifiers
• 1632: Anton van Leeuwenhoek
• credit for developing 1st microscope
• observed pond water & made detailed drawings of
each kind of tiny organism living in it (1st to see
bacteria & protists)
• 1665: Robert Hooke
• used microscope to look at thin slices of plant
stems, wood, & pieces of cork coined term “cell”
TIMELINE OF THE CELL THEORY
• 1833: Robert Brown
• noted dark structure near center of cell (nucleus)
• 1838: Matthias Jakob Schleiden – all plants made
of cells
• 1839: Theodor Schwann – all animals made of cells
too
• 1855: Rudolf Virchow – cells arise from division of
preexisting cells
CELL THEORY
• The cell theory states
• All living things are composed of cells.
• Cells are the basic units of structure & function
in living things. (The cell is the basic unit of life)
• All cells come from pre-existing cells.
Cell Structures and
Functions
Cell Shape and Size
bacterium = range from 0.2µm
some animal nerve cells = 2m long
plant and animal cells = 10 to 50µm in diameter

“ the larger the cell, the greater the surface area required
to maintain it”
INTERNAL
ORGANIZATION
Two types of cells:
Prokaryotic cells
- lack of nuclear envelope and membrane-bound
organelles.
- Bacterial cells are small, about 0.2 to 5µm, less
complex, usually unicellular form, have limited
capabilities compared with eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells,
Vibrio cholera, a
bacteria which
infects the
digestive system
Eukaryotic Cells
- generally larger and have very distinct nuclei that are
clearly surrounded by nuclear membranes.
- they also have numerous membrane-bound organelles
found in the cytoplasm.
- eg. Protists, Plants, fungi, and animals
platelets neurons Plant epidermal cells
Animals = approximately 10 to 50µm in diameter
Some organisms, like protist = comparatively large
(5 t0 200µm or more) with membrane-bound
nucleus and organelles.
Cell Parts and
Functions
A. Prokaryotic Cells
= absence of membrane bound nucleus
1. capsule = a sticky outer layer that provides
protection
2. cell wall = a structure that confers rigidity and shape
to the cell
3. plasma membrane = a structure that serves as a
permeability barrier
Cell Parts and
Functions
4. plasmid = a genetic material
5. nucleoid = a DNA-containing region within the
cytoplasm
6. cytoplasm = the region where chromosomes(DNA),
ribosomes, and various inclusions are found
7. ribosome = the site where protein is symthesized
Cell Parts and
Functions
8. pilus (plural, pili) = a hair-like appendage that
functions in adhesion
9. flagellum = facilitates movement of bacteria
Bacterial Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
 Cell Membrane

- sometimes called the Plasma Membrane, which separates

the cell from its external environment.
- the outermost covering of animal cells while the plant
cells are called the cell wall
- the selectively permeable membrane that regulates the
entrance and exit of a substance into the cell.
 Cell Membrane
- In 1925, Evert Gorter and Francois Grendel hypothesized
that the cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer.
- eg. Lipid from RBC (erythrocytes) – found out that the PM
has a layer facing inward, away from the aqueous env’t
( it is hydrophobic – water-fearing); the other layer facing
outward, toward the outside env’t of the cell, is hydrophilic
(water-loving)
Cell Membrane
 Davidson-Danielli’s model was eventually discredited as
scientists came to understand better the proteins found in the
membrane.

The Singer-Nicolson model also known as the fluid mosaic

model describes the PM as a mosaic of proteins that are
attached to a fluid bilayer of lipid.
- similar to the Davidson-Danielli model, but instead of
describing proteins as thin sheets on the surface of the
membrane, it hypothesizes that proteins are globular entities,
floating in and on the lipid bilayer.
 Cytoplasm

- all the materials in the cell that surrounds the

nucleus
- ground substance and the biggest part of the
cell where organelles are found.
 Cytoplasmic Organelles

1. Endoplasmic Reticulum
(ER)
- is a network of
Intercommunicating
channels in the cytoplasm
- composed of membrane-
enclosed sacs and tubules.
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Two types:
a. Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum (RER)
– common type due to the
presence of ribosomes
- play role in the production
of protein, folding, quality
control, and dispatch
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
Two types:
b. Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum (RER)
– more tubular and non-
granular structure due to the
absence of ribosomes
- play role in the manufacture
and metabolism of lipids, and
biosynthesis of steroid
hormones in endocrine cells
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
2. Golgi apparatus
– it is responsible for the
processing, packaging, and
sorting of secretory materials
for use within and outside the
cell.
- after protein is synthesized by
the ribosome, it passes to the
channel of ER and move into
the fluid-filled sacs of the Golgi
body
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
3. Mitochondrion
– the powerhouse of the
cell.
- contain the enzymes that
help in the chemical
oxidation of food molecules
and produce energy (ATP)
 Cytoplasmic Organelles
4. Lysosomes
– small, spherical,
membrane-bound
organelles which contain a
number of enzymes for
intracellular digestion
- contain around 40 kinds of
enzymes that help digest food
5. Secretory Granules
– are large dense granules with membranes.
- fuse with the cell membrane to secrete substances such as
enzymes, and proteins.
5. Lipid droplets
– store fatty acids and sterols.
- They take up much space and
volume in adipocytes (fat cells)
- appear as black spherical
bodies of varying sizes when
stained when stained with
osmium tetroxide.
 Cytoplasmic Inclusions
- non-membranous substances and structures suspended in
the cytoplasm.
- Their presence or absence depends on the cell type.
1. Ribosomes
– spherical in structure and site
where proteins are made.
- Proteins that are needed by
the cell itself are produced by
those ribosomes.
- could be found attached to
the ER or free in the cytoplasm.
2. Centrioles
– participates in the formation
of the mitotic spindle in cell
division

- the wall is composed of nine

groups of parallel subunits and
consists of three microtubules
aligned and fused together so
that they appear as 3 circles in
a row.
3. Microtubules
– are long slender, protein
tubes.
- a network of microtubules
forms the spindle apparatus
that appears during cell division

- they also form the cores of the

cilia and flagella of sperm cells
and play a role in maintaining
cell shape.
4. Microfilaments
– support the cell to maintain
its structure and shape as it
provides resiliency against
forces that can alter the shape.

Ex. Spindle fiber – aid in the

movement of chromosomes
during cell division
5. Glycogen granules
– abundant in liver cells, play an important role in the glucose cycle

6. Pigment
– substances that do not require staining by dyes because they
already possess their own color.
- abundant in plant cells
 Nucleus
- found in most eukaryotic cells.
- site where nucleic acids are synthesized
- serves as a site for the storage of hereditary
factors.
- source of ribonucleic acid (RNA)
(RNA is a molecule responsible for various cellular
functions such as genetic coding and expression)
 Nucleus
Nuclear Membrane
- two layered outer limit of
the nucleus separating it from
the cytoplasm
Nucleolus
- structure responsible for
ribosome formation. Rich
in proteins and nucleic acid
Structure found in Plant Cells
1. Cell Wall
– outermost covering of plant
cell.
- composed of cellulose
embedded in hardening
compounds such as pectin and
lignin.
- the presence of pores allows
some ions to pass through the
cell membrane
1. Cell Wall
Two types:
Primary Wall – first to form,
during the growth period of the
cell

Secondary Wall – when formed,

expansion in cell size can no
longer be expected.

Both wall help provide strength

and rigidity to the cell
2. Water vacuoles
- larger in size
- store enzymes and waste
products.
- in a mature plant cell, vacuoles
could occupy as much as 90% of
the space.

- waste materials inside vacuoles

could be in the form of poisonous
substances
Ex. cyanide
3. Plastids
- carry photosynthesis function in plants.
Ex. Chloroplast, chromoplasts and leucoplasts
 Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
Nucleus Absent Present
Membrane-bound Absent Present
organelles
Mostly Multicellular;
Cell Structures Unicellular
some unicellular
Cell size 0.2µm-5µm 10µm-100µm
Complexity simpler More complex
DNA Form circular linear
Animals, Plants, Fungi,
Examples Bacteria, Archaebact. Protist
Applying Your Knowledge
1. Cell Wall
2. Flagellum
3. Capsule
4. Plasmid
5. Nucleoid

In bacterial cells
where is the genetic material located?
which one is used for movement?
which one provides structural support for
the cell?
Applying Your Knowledge
1. Cilium
2. Rough ER
3. Golgi apparatus
4. Smooth ER
5. Lysosome

A. Which organelle produces proteins that will

be exported from the cell?
B. Which organelle contains digestive enzymes?
C. Which site acts as a protein packaging and
distribution center?
Part of Cell Part of Factory
Capsule Security Gate
Cell Wall Outer Fence around the factory
Chloroplast Solar Panel
Cytoskeleton Moving Belt where items are inspected
Steel Support, Interior Walls
Cilia/Flagella Conveyor Belt, Elevator/Escalator
Enzyme Worker; Assemblage Machinery
Golgi Complex Distribution/Packaging Department
Mailroom
Mitochondrion Generator, Engine Room, Power Source
Nucleoid Storage of pre-production material
Nucleus Supervisor’s Office, Boss
Corporate Office, Central Operations
Plasma Membrane Loading/Unloading Dock, Inner Wall, Door
Ribosomes Assembly Line Track
RER Production Line
SER Shipping Dock
Vacuole Storage Area
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations

Microvilli
- extension on the cell
membranes that help
increase the surface area of
the cell, thus facilitating
increased absorption of
nutrients.
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations

Nerve Cells
- mostly elongated,
facilitate the transmission
of impulses from the brain
and spinal cord to the
different parts of the body.
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations
Red Blood Cells (RBC)
- have biconcave disc shape
and highly deformable.
- allow for easy movement
through blood vessel
- lose nucleus as they
mature, which increase the
surface area for gas
exchange.
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations

Tracheal Cells
- have cilia that beat and
drive air impurities or
foreign particles and mucus
secretions up to the
trachea to the mouth.
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations

Sperm Cells
- have a tail and flagellum,
which propel it toward the
egg cell for fertilization.
- have plenty of
mitochondria along their
middle piece
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations
Root hairs
- elongated outgrowth from the outer layer of cells in a root
that helps absorb water and minerals.
- increase the absorption area of roots.
- Cells found along the palisade layer of the mesophyll and
loaded with chloroplasts
Cell Modifications and Adaptations
 Cell Modifications and Adaptations

Sperm Cells
- have a tail and flagellum,
which propel it toward the
egg cell for fertilization.
- have plenty of
mitochondria along their
middle piece