The Cell Structure and
Function
Landmarks in the study of a cell
Robert Hooke in 1665 observed a piece of cork under the
microscope and found it to be made of small compartments
which he called “cells”.
The word “cell” is derived from the Latin word cella, which
means “little space or room”.
1830s—the German microscopist Matthias Schleiden said that
plants are composed of cells; his counterpart, Theodor
Schwann, said that animals are also made up of living units called
cells. They also formulated the “ cell theory”.
The cell theory states the following:
■ All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
■ Cells are the basic living unit of structure and function in
organisms.
■ All cells come only from other cells.
CELLS are often called the
microscopic building blocks of
the body.
They are active and dynamic,
they continually grow and
specialize, function, die, and
replenish themselves, by the
millions every second.
The whole body contains more than
200 different kinds of cells,
Cells provide structure for
the body, take in nutrients
from food, convert those
nutrients into energy, and
carry out specialized
functions
They also contain the
body’s hereditary material
in the form of DNA and
make copies of
themselves.
Cells are extremely small,
typically only about 0.01
millimeter (.0004 or 4 ten
thousandths of an inch) across –
even our largest cells are no
bigger than the width of a human
hair.
Two Basic Types of Cells
Eukaryotes are cells in animals and
plants that contain a nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles
(small internal parts), which includes all
of our body cells.
Prokaryotes are cells that lack nuclei
and membrane-bound inside parts,
such as those in bacteria.
Plant cells vs. Animal cells
The Cell Organelles
Surrounding the Cell
Plasma membrane
Functions:
1) Outer membrane of cell that
controls movement in and out of
the cell
2) phospholipid double layer (bilayer)
Cell Wall
Functions:
1) Most commonly found in
plant cells & bacteria
2) Supports & protects cells
Inside the Cell
Nucleus
Functions:
1)Directs cell activities
2)Separated from cytoplasm by
nuclear membrane
3)Contains genetic material -
DNA
Cytoplasm
1) A gel-like substance composed
mainly of water
2)Cytoplasm is roughly 60–80%
water by volume, and chemical
reactions occur within its
medium.
3)The other 20–40% of cytoplasm
is composed of proteins and
dissolved ions.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Moves materials around in cell
• Smooth type: lacks ribosomes
• Rough type (pictured):
ribosomes embedded in
surface
Ribosomes
1) Site of protein synthesis
2) Ribosomes are made up of
RNA
Mitochondria
Functions:
1) Are found in both plant and animal cells
2) Is the organelle that makes energy for a
cell.
3) Contain small amounts of DNA.
Golgi apparatus (Golgi
Apparatus/Golgi Complexes)
Functions:
1) The Golgi apparatus is named for
Camillo Golgi, who discovered its
presence in cells in 1898.
2) Responsible for packaging proteins into
vesicles prior to secretion and therefore
plays a key role in the secretory pathway.
Lysosome
Functions:
1) Digestive 'plant' for proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
2) Transports undigested material to cell
membrane for removal
3) Cell breaks down if lysosome explodes
Vacuoles
Functions:
1) Membrane-bound sacs for
storage, digestion, and waste
removal
2) Contains water solution
3) Help plants maintain shape
Chloroplasts
Functions:
1) chloroplasts are the site of
photosynthesis (production of sugar,
from carbon dioxide and water in the
presence of sunlight).
2) Usually found in plant cells
3) Contains green chlorophyll
4) Where photosynthesis takes place
