Cell Structure and Function

Cells
 A cell is the smallest unit of life.

 Cells can survive and reproduce on its own.

 Some cells live and reproduce independently. Others

do so as part of a multicellur organism.

Discovery of cells
 In the middle of 17th century, one of the pioneers of
microscopy, Robert Hooke (1635–1703), first
discovered cell.
THE CELL THEORY
 Every organism is composed of one or more cells

 Cell is the smallest unit having properties of life

 Continuity of life arises from growth and division of

single cells.

• Cells are divided into two general types:

Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic Cells
 PROKARYOTIC VS. EUKARYOTIC CELL
Prokaryotic cells
 Usually unicellular
organism is composed of
prokaryotic cell
 Smaller in size
 No True Nucleus
 Smaller ribosomes
 Example: bacteria,
Archaea.
Eukaryotic cells
 Usually multicellular organism
is composed of eukaryotic cell
 Relatively larger in size
 Possess nucleus
 Larger ribosomes
 Example: animal, plant, fungi,
algae.
PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC
CELL
Can you find differences between animal and plant cell?

Note: Both animal and plant cells are eukaryotic cells

Bacteria, a prokaryotic cell
CELL STRUCTURE
Animal cells (Eukaryotes) Plant cells (Eukaryotes)
Plasma membrane Plasma membrane
Cytoplasm Cytoplasm
Genetic material (Nucleus) Genetic material (Nucleus)
Ribosomes Ribosomes
Endoplasmic reticulum Endoplasmic reticulum
Golgi body Golgi body
Mitochondria Mitochondria
Vesicles  Vesicles
Cell wall
Large vacuole Unique
Bacterial cells (Prokaryote) to plants
Plasma membrane Chloroplast
Cytoplasm
Genetic Material(Nucleoid)
Ribosomes (small)
Cell Wall
Capsules
Pili 
Flagella
STRUCTURE COMMON TO ALL CELLS:

PLASMA MEMBRANE

 The plasma membrane is the boundary between the cell and

its environment.
 It comprises of lipids and proteins.
 Phospholipid bilayers are the basic structural and functional
framework of all cell membranes
FUNCTIONS OF PLASMA MEMBRANE
 Plasma membrane is selectively permeable, regulating
what materials enter and leave the cell.
 It also allows interaction of a cell with other cells.
STRUCTURE COMMON TO ALL CELLS:

CYTOPLASM
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the membrane of
a cell consisting of water, enzymes, and different proteins.
NUCLEUS
 The nucleus of a cell is separated from the cytoplasm by
the nuclear envelope.
 The nuclear envelope controls the passage of molecules
between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
 The nucleus contains DNA, which is the stored genetic
instructions of a cell.
 In a nucleus, DNA is organized into discrete units called
chromosomes
Structure – Nucleus
STRUCTURE COMMON TO ALL CELLS:

RIBOSOMES
• Ribosomes are the organelles in which
protein synthesis takes place.
• They are composed of RNA and protein.
• Each ribosome is composed of two
subunits: a large one and a small one.

 Two types:
 Bound ribosomes: Many ribosomes are attached to the
endoplasmic reticulum.
 Free ribosomes: Many ribosomes are found floating freely
in the cytoplasm.
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an extension of the nuclear
envelope.
 ER forms a continuous compartment that folds into flattened sacs
and tubes.
 The space inside the compartment is the site where many new
proteins are modified.
 There are two kinds of ER:
Rough ER: Ribosomes on surface give it a rough appearance
Smooth ER: No ribosomes on surface
Functions
•The smooth ER
1. Synthesizes lipids
2. Metabolizes carbohydrates
3. Detoxifies drugs and poisons
4. Stores calcium ions

•The rough ER
1. Some proteins enter into the
rough ER and are modified
GOLGI BODIES
Golgi bodies or Golgi
apparatus are a series
of flattened membrane
compartments found in
both animal and plant
cells.

Functions:
 Process the proteins obtained from the endoplasmic
reticulum
 Package the processed molecules into transport vesicles,
then transport them to their final destinations.
VESICLES
Small, membrane-enclosed, saclike organelles which
are formed in great numbers.

There are many types but two main are:

1) Lysosomes:
 They contain powerful enzymes that can break down
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
 They also break down damaged cell organelles and
foreign cells or particles
2) Peroxisomes:
 Peroxisomes contain enzymes that digest fatty acids
and amino acids.
 Their enzymes also convert hydrogen peroxide to water
and oxygen, or use it in reactions that break down
alcohol and other toxins.
MITOCHONDRIA
 The mitochondrion (plural, mitochondria) is a type of
organelle that is specialized in making ATP (energy
molecule of cells).
 Cells that have a very high demand for energy tend to
have many mitochondria e.g. liver cells.

Mitochondria structure
Double membrane system:
• Smooth outer membrane
• Folded inner membrane
(cristae) where chemical
reactions take place to make
ATP.
CHLOROPLASTS

 Chloroplasts are a type of

membrane-enclosed
organelles found in plant
cells.

 They contain the green

pigment “chlorophyll”, in
which photosynthesis occurs.

Photosynthesis is a process by which plants and certain other

organisms use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide and generate
oxygen and food (carbohydrates).
Cilia
Cilia (singular: cilium) are short, hair-like structures that
project from the surface of some cells. They are mainly
found in eukaryotic cells.
 They can wave in a rhythmic motion, and use that
motion they keep sensitive internal passageways free
of foreign particles

Cilia
Flagella
Flagella (singular: flagellum) are long hair-like structure,
present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
In prokaryotes, flagellum projects from the cell wall and
enables a cell to move.
 Ineukaryotes, flagellum whips back and forth to propel
cells, such as sperm move through fluid.
THANK YOU