General Biology1
WEEK 1
Learning Competencies
The learners:
1. explain the postulates of the cell theory (STEM_BIO11/12 -Ia-c-1); and
2. describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles
(STEM_BIO11/12 -Ia-c-2).
Objectives
The learners should be able to:
1. explain the postulates of the cell theory.
2. explain the function of the different cell structures / organelles.
3. differentiate plant, animal, and bacterial cells; and
4. construct a 3-D model of a plant/animal/bacterial cell using recyclable materials.
Brief Introduction
Are you fascinated with the wonders of our Mother Nature and life? Are you fond of
studying plants or animals? Do you want to learn more about other organisms aside from them?
Do you enjoy watching shows about different organisms? Have you ever wondered how our organ
systems interact with one another? If your answer is “yes” to these questions, let us explore and
unravel the magnificent world of Biology, the study of life.
Let’s Recall
Cryptogram: Use the corresponding numbers of each letter of the alphabet to decode the
mystery word. Write your answer on your answer sheet.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
3 5 12 12 20 8 5 15 18 25
Let’s Understand
DISCOVERY OF CELLS
The first time the word cell was used to refer to these tiny units of life was in 1665 by a
British scientist named Robert Hooke. Hooke was one of the earliest scientists to study living
things under a microscope. During his time, the microscopes were not very strong, but Hooke was
still able to make an important discovery. When he looked at a thin slice of cork under his
microscope, he was surprised to see what looked like a honeycomb. Hooke made a drawing to show
what he saw. The cork was made up of many tiny units, which Hooke called cells. Soon after Robert
Hooke discovered cells in cork, Anton van Leeuwenhoek in Holland made other important
discoveries using a microscope. Leeuwenhoek made his own microscope lenses, and he was so good
at it that his microscope was more powerful than other microscopes of his day. In fact,
Leeuwenhoek’s microscope was as strong as modern light microscopes. Using his microscope,
Leeuwenhoek discovered tiny animals such as rotifers. Leeuwenhoek also discovered human blood
cells. He even scraped plaque from his own teeth and observed it under the microscope. He saw tiny
living things with a single cell that he named animalcules (“tiny animals”). Today, we call
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Leeuwenhoek’s animalcules as microscopic organisms that include bacteria, protozoans, and
exceedingly small animals.
THE CELL THEORY
The Cell Theory is one of the fundamental theories in biology. For two centuries after the
discovery of the microscope by Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek, biologists found cells
everywhere. Biologists in the early part of the 19th century suggested that all living things were made
of cells, but the role of cells as the primary building block of life was not discovered until 1839 when
two German scientists, Theodor Schwann, a zoologist (studies animals), and Matthias Jakob
Schleiden, a botanist (studies plants), suggested that cells were the basic unit of structure and function
of all life. Later, in 1858, the German doctor Rudolf Virchow observed that cells divide to produce
more cells. He proposed that all cells arise only from other cells. The collective observations of all
three scientists form the Cell Theory, which states that:
1. all organisms are made up of one or more cells,
2. the cell is the basic unit of life; and
3. all cells come from preexisting cells.
(adapted from: https://www.ck12.org/book/cbse_biology_book_class_xi/section/9.1/)
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
CYTOLOGY/CELL BIOLOGY is a branch of biology
which deals with the structure, function, multiplication,
pathology, and life history of cells. CELLS are the basic unit
of life. In the modern world, they are the smallest known
world that performs all of life’s functions.
(Biologydictionary.net Editors, 2017) Although cells are
diverse, all cells have certain parts in common; these include a
plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and DNA. (CK – 12
Foundation, 2020) Also, a cell consists of three parts: the cell
membrane, the nucleus, and, between the two, the
cytoplasm. (SEER Training Modules, n.d.)
Cell organelle is a specialized entity present inside a
Figure 1. Basic parts of a cell
particular type of cell that performs a specific function. https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Bcg41dRVT08/
(Sapkota, 2020) SqIHnOHGK5I/AAAAAAAAABA/
YKJCSzwaEJ8/s320/cell_basic_parts.jpg
Here are some organelles found inside the cell:
1. Cell membrane/Plasma membrane regulates what can be allowed to enter and exit the cell
through channels, acting as a semipermeable membrane, which facilitates the exchange of
essential compounds required for the survival of the cell.
2. Cell wall
Its critical function is protecting and maintaining the shape of the cell.
It also helps the cell withstand the turgor pressure of the cell.
3. Cytoskeleton provides shape and mechanical support to the cell against deformation.
4. Centrioles have a crucial role in forming spindle fibers during cell division and they are involved
in the formation of cilia and flagella.
5. Cilia and Flagella are responsible for the movement of the organisms as well as for the
movement of various particles present around the organisms.
6. Golgi Apparatus/Golgi Complex/Golgi Body is responsible for the packaging of
macromolecules into vesicles so that they can be sent out to their site of action.
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7. Pla
stid
s
are
Figure 2 Components of Plant and Animal
Cellshttp://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/biocoach/cells/review3.html
double membrane-bound structures present in plants and other eukaryotes involved in the
synthesis and storage of food.
a. Chloroplast is a type of plastid that is involved in photosynthesis in plants and algae. It
contains an essential pigment called chlorophyll necessary to trap sunlight for the
production of glucose.
8. Cytoplasm
It is where most of the
vital cellular enzymatic
reactions like cellular
respiration and translation
of mRNA into proteins
occur.
9. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
There are two types of ER based
on the presence or absence of
ribosomes on them:
a. Rough ER (RER) with
ribosomes attached on the
cytosolic face of ER and
thus is involved in protein
synthesis.
b. Smooth ER (SER) which
lacks ribosomes and has a
function during lipid
Figure 3 Some typical cells
synthesis. cells-animal-plant-ways-nucleus-difference-organelles.jpg (1566×1607)
10. Lysosomes are responsible for (britannica.com)
intracellular digestion where the larger macromolecules are degraded into smaller molecules with
the help of enzymes present in them.
11. Microfilament generates the strength for the structure and movement of the cell in association
with myosin protein.
12. Microtubules facilitate the movement of other cell organelles within the cell through binding
proteins.
13. Microvilli increase the surface area of the cell, thus, enhancing the absorption and secretion
functions.
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14. Mitochondria (singular, mitochondrion) are double membrane-bound cell organelles
responsible for the supply and storage of energy for the cell.
15. Nucleus controls the activity of all other organelles while facilitating processes like cell growth,
cell division and synthesis of proteins. It is also responsible for storage as well as the transfer of
genetic materials in the form of DNA or RNA.
16. Peroxisomes are involved in the production and elimination of hydrogen peroxide during
biochemical processes.
17. Plasmodesmata (singular, plasmodesma) are tiny passages or channels that allow the transfer of
material and communication between different cells.
18. Ribosomes are the site of biological protein synthesis in all living organisms.
19. Vacuoles act as a storage for nutrients as well as waste materials to protect the cell for toxicity.
20. Vesicles facilitate the storage and transport of materials in and outside the cell.
(adapted from: https://microbenotes.com/cell-organelles/)
According to Biology
Online (n.d.), membrane
bound organelles are
cellular structures that are
bound by biological
membrane while non-
membrane bound
organelles are cytoplasmic
structures that are not
bound by a membrane but
carry out specialized
functions.
Figure 4 A concept map showing the non-membrane bound and
membrane bound cell organelles.
main-qimg-f56ab573e4ec015626b8dcd8215552c2 (602×372) (quoracdn.net)
