Lecture 2: Cells – Function & Structure
I. Definition
Cells
• Latin word meaning “small room” – by Robert Hooke
• basic unit of life/ building blocks of life
• each cell is functionally independent- it can live on its own
• Cytology/Cell Biology – study of cells
II. Timeline
• Robert Hooke described cells in cork
1655
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered protozoa (single-cell organism) and
bacteria - called them "animalcules".
1674 • first human to observe living cells
• Robert Brown observed nucleus in orchid cells.
1831
• Theodor Schwann & Matthais Schleiden proposed cell theory
1839
Cell Theory (pls memorize!)
• All living things are composed of cells.
• Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things.
• New cells are produced from existing cells
III. Classification
2 Main Types of Cells
1. Prokaryotes – without nuclei
2. Eukaryotes – with nuclei
Characteristics Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
Examples Bacteria, Archaea, Algae Animal, plant, fungi, protist, human
Size Small & simple Large & complex
Organism type Unicellular Multicellular
DNA Circular Linear (Histomes)
Chromosomes Single haploid Paired diploid
Cell division Binary fission or budding Mitosis & Meiosis
Growth rate Fast Slow
Organelles & Cytoskeleton Absent Present
Yes – made of cellulose (plants)
Cell wall Yes – made of peptidoglycan Animals – no cell wall
Fungi – “Chitin”
Ribosomes 70s 80s
Cell/Plasma membrane Present Present
Cytoplasm Present Present
Note:
Prokaryotes – if cell dies, whole organism dies
Eukaryotes – if 1 cell dies, organism still lives.
2 Types of Eukaryotic Cells
1. Plant Cells
2. Animal Cells
Plant cell vs Animal cell
Plant cell Animal cell
With cell wall No cell wall
Large vacuoles Small vacuoles
Without centriole With centriole
With chloroplasts No chloroplasts
IV. Structures and Functions
Organelles – defined as tiny organs inside the cell
Parts or Organelles inside Prokaryotic Cells
1) Ribosomes - coordinate synthesis of proteins
2) Thylakoids - participate in photosynthesis
Parts of Eukaryotic Cells
Major components of the cell
• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Nucleus
1) Outside of the cell
Part Description Function In Plant or Animal Cell?
Cell wall Made up of fibers called protects and supports plant Plants only
cellulose cells
Cell membrane Selectively permeable, Regulates entrance & exit of both
made of phospholipids molecules
2) Inside of the cell
Part Description Function In Plant or Animal Cell?
Cytoplasm Gel-like substance, helps in the movement of both
consists of cytosol materials inside the cell
Nucleus Made of chromatin, Brain of the cell, largest both
contains DNA, RNA and organelle
protein
Ribosomes Tiny grain like particles Site and assist in protein both
found along [Link] synthesis
Rough Endoplasmic With ribosomes Proteins synthesis both
Reticulum (ER)
Smooth Endoplasmic Without ribosomes Lipids synthesis both
Reticulum (ER)
Golgi apparatus/bodies Stack of flattened sacs • Packages & delivers both
called saccules proteins and lipids
• Makes lysosomes
Vesicles Membrane-bounded sac facilitate the storage and Plant – 1 large
transport of materials Animal – few small
Lysosome Made by lysosomes • clean-up & recycling crew Animals only
•contains digestive enzymes
for substance break down
Peroxisome vesicle containing specific •breaks down fatty acids both
enzymes • converts resulting
hydrogen peroxide to water
Mitochondria Double-bound membrane • powerhouse of the cell both
to form cristae (folds) • site of ATP production
Chloroplast membranous Ihylakoids Create and store usable Plants only
energy thru photosynthesis
Cytoskeleton Made of microtubules a framework of the cell both
and filaments
Vacuoles surrounded by a • “storage tanks” Plant – 1 large
membrane called •storage for nutrients, Animal – few small
tonoplast enzymes & waste materials
3) Inside the nucleus
A. Nucleolus - dark spot inside the nucleus, which makes ribosomes.
B. Nuclear membrane – controls movement of materials in and out of nucleus.
C. Chromatin - jelly like substance (nucleoplasm) rich in proteins
C. DNA - stores information for making proteins