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Basic Structure and Function of A Cell

A cell is the fundamental unit of life, providing structure, generating energy, and facilitating communication and reproduction. The history of cell discovery includes key contributions from scientists like Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek, leading to the establishment of cell theory. Modern cell theory emphasizes that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life that arise from pre-existing cells.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
4 views5 pages

Basic Structure and Function of A Cell

A cell is the fundamental unit of life, providing structure, generating energy, and facilitating communication and reproduction. The history of cell discovery includes key contributions from scientists like Robert Hooke and Anton van Leeuwenhoek, leading to the establishment of cell theory. Modern cell theory emphasizes that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life that arise from pre-existing cells.
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Basic structure and Function of a Cell

A cell is the structural and fundamental unit of life. It is the lowest level of organisation in
every life form.

Robert Hooke first observed and named cells in 1665, while examining cork tissue under a
microscope. His contemporary, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, later observed live cells, including
bacteria and protists, with his improved microscopes.
Cells perform several basic functions including providing structure, generating energy,
transporting substances, and reproducing. They also play roles in communication,
movement, and specialized functions depending on the cell type.
1. Providing Structure and Support: Cells form the basic building blocks of tissues and
organs, giving shape and support to the body.
2. Generating Energy: Cells convert nutrients into usable energy through processes like
cellular respiration (in animals) and photosynthesis (in plants).
3. Transporting Substances: Cells regulate the movement of nutrients, waste products, and
other molecules across the cell membrane.
4. Reproduction: Cells replicate themselves through division (mitosis) to enable growth,
repair, and reproduction of the organism.
5. Communication: Cells communicate with each other through various signals to coordinate
activities and maintain bodily functions.
6. Movement: Cells can move themselves, like in the case of muscle cells, or facilitate
movement of other substances, like macrophages moving to fight infection.
7. Specialized Functions: Different types of cells have unique functions. For example, nerve
cells transmit signals, while gland cells produce hormones or enzymes.
History of Cell
 1665: Robert Hooke observes and names "cells" in cork tissue.
 1674: Anton van Leeuwenhoek observes and describes live cells, including bacteria and
protists.
 1831: Robert Brown discovers the nucleus within cells.
 1838: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann propose that all plants and animals are
composed of cells, forming the basis of cell theory.
 1855: Rudolf Virchow adds that all cells arise from pre-existing cells, completing the cell
theory.

Cell Theory
The development of cell theory was a gradual process, with contributions from many
scientists.
 Matthias Schleiden:
A German botanist who concluded that all plant tissues are made of cells in 1838.
 Theodor Schwann:
A German zoologist who, along with Schleiden, proposed that cells are the fundamental units
of both plants and animals in 1839.
 Rudolf Virchow:
A German physician who, in 1858, stated that all cells arise from pre-existing cells,
completing the modern version of cell theory.

The three cell theory


1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cell.
2. The cell is the most basic unit of life
3. All cells arise only from pre-existing cells
While the basic principles of cell theory remain the same, modern cell theory also incorporates
additional concepts:
 Energy flow within cells: Cells are the sites of all metabolic and biochemical reactions that
sustain life.
 Genetic information transfer: Cells transmit genetic information through DNA replication
and cell division.
 Cellular composition: All cells share a similar basic chemical composition.
Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell
Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Plant Cell Animal Cell

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