Introduction to cell

structure
 Learning objectives

Definition of cell
Types of cell
Plant cell
Animal cell
Different cell organelles
 Definition of cell

A cell is the smallest unit that is

capable of performing life functions.
All organisms are made up of cells.
They may be made up of a single cell
(unicellular), or many cells
(multicellular).

Cell
 Cell theory

Cell theory was proposed by the German

scientists, Theodor Schwann, Matthias
Schleiden, and Rudolf Virchow. Cell theory
states that:
o All living things are made up of cells.
o Cells are the smallest working units of
all living things. Cell division
o All cells come from pre-existing cells
through cell division.
 Two types of cells

Prokaryotic cell
Eukaryotic cell
 Prokaryotic Cell
The term prokaryote is derived from the
Greek word pro, (meaning: before) and
karyon (meaning: kernel). It translates to
before nuclei.
The prokaryotic cells are represented by
bacteria, blue-green algae, mycoplasma and
PPLO (Pleuro Pneumonia Like Organisms).
Do not have structures surrounded by Bacteria
membranes.
Prokaryotes have cell wall, cell membrane,
cytoplasm and ribosomes(70s)
The hereditary material can either be DNA or
RNA.
 Eukaryotic cell
The term Eukaryotes is derived from the
Greek word eu, (meaning: good) and karyon
(meaning: kernel), therefore, translating to
good or true nuclei.
This broad category involves plants, fungi,
protozoans, and animals.
There are also other cell organelles that
perform various other functions and these Plant cell
include ribosomes (80s), lysosomes, Golgi
bodies, cytoplasm, chromosomes, vacuoles,
and centrosomes.
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a true
nucleus.
The nucleus contains DNA, which is
responsible for storing all genetic information. Animal cell
 Different cell organelles

Cell membrane
Outer membrane of cell that controls
movement in and out of the cell.
All plant and animal cells have cell
membranes.
The cell membrane surrounds and Cell membrane
protects the cytoplasm.
The membrane is selectively permeable
to some molecules present on either
side of it
 Different cell organelles

Cell wall
The cell wall is a rigid non-living layer that is
found outside the cell membrane and
surrounds the cell.
Plants, bacteria and fungi all have cell walls
It is absent in animal cells.
It supports & protects cells.

Cell wall
 Different cell organelles

Nucleus
The nucleus is the largest organelle in the cell
and contains all the cell's genetic information
in the form of DNA.
The main function of the cell nucleus is to
control gene expression and facilitate the
replication of DNA during the cell cycle.
o Nucleus has following parts:
o Nuclear membrane
o Nuclear pores
Nucleus
o Chromosomes
o Nucleolus
 Different cell organelles

Nuclear membrane
It surrounds nucleus and made up of
two layers.
It separates the nucleus and its
contents from the cytoplasm.

Nuclear membrane
 Different cell organelles

Chromosomes
It is present in nucleus and made up of
DNA.
Characteristics are transmitted from parent
to offspring through genetic material
contained in the nucleus.

Chromosomes
 Different cell organelles

Nuclear pores
Tiny holes called nuclear pores are
found in the nuclear envelope and
help to regulate the exchange of
materials (such as RNA and proteins)
between the nucleus and the
cytoplasm.

Nuclear Pores
 Different cell organelles

Nucleolus
It is present inside nucleus.
It contains RNA to build proteins.

Nucleolus
 Different cell organelles

Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is the jelly-like
substance that fills the cell, consists of
up to 90% water with dissolved
nutrients and waste products and
surrounded by cell membrane.
Its main function is to hold together
the organelles which make up the
cytoplasm.
It is the site of most cellular activities
including metabolism, cell division Cytoplasm
and protein synthesis.
 Different cell organelles

Endoplasmic reticulum
It helps to moves materials around in cell.
It is two types:
1. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - lacks
ribosomes
2. Rough endoplasmic reticulum –
ribosomes embedded in the surface

Endoplasmic
reticulum
 Different cell organelles

Ribosomes
Ribosomes are composed of RNA
and protein.
They occur in the cytoplasm and are
the sites where protein synthesis
occurs.
Each cell contains thousands of
ribosomes.
Ribosomes
 Different cell organelles

Mitochondria
The main job of mitochondria is to
perform cellular respiration.
Produces energy (ATP) through
chemical reactions - breaking down
fats & carbohydrates.
Controls level of water and other
materials in cell.
Recycles and decomposes proteins,
fats, and carbohydrates.
Mitochondria
 Different cell organelles

Golgi bodies
Golgi body is responsible for the
transport of protein from its point of
origin to its required site.
It is protein 'packaging plant‘.
Move materials within the cell and out of
the cell.

Golgi Bodies
 Different cell organelles

Lysosome
Lysosomes are formed by the Golgi body
or the endoplasmic reticulum.
These powerful enzymes can digest cell
structures and food molecules such as
carbohydrates and proteins.
Transports undigested material to cell
membrane for removal.
Cell breaks down if lysosome explodes.

Lysosome
 Different cell organelles
Vacuoles
Membrane-bound sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste removal.
Contains water solution and help
plants maintain shape.
The vacuole contains cell sap which is
a liquid consisting of water, mineral
salts, sugars and amino acids.
They are very small or completely
absent from animal cells. Vacuoles
 Different cell organelles

Vesicles
Vesicles are small, membrane -bound
spherical sacs which facilitate the
metabolism, transport and storage of
molecules.
 Different cell organelles

Centrioles
Animal cells contain a special organelle
called a centriole.
The centrosome plays a very important role
in cell division
 Different cell organelles

Plastids
Plastids are organelles found only in plants.
There are three different types:
Leucoplasts - White plastids found in roots.
Chloroplasts - Green-coloured plastids
found in plants and algae.
Chromoplasts - Contain red, orange or
yellow pigments and are common in
ripening fruit, flowers or autumn leaves.
 Different cell organelles

Chloroplast
Usually found in plant cells and absent
in animal cell.
Chlorophyll absorbs energy from the
sun in order for photosynthesis to take
place in the chloroplasts

Chloroplast
 Time for the quiz - 1

Q. Which statement is incorrect in the behalf of Cell theory?

A. All living things are made up of cells

B. Cells are the smallest working units
C. Cells come from pre-existing cells
D. Cells usually perform their functions only after combined in tissues
 Time for the quiz - 2

Q. Cell wall is not present in?

A. Plant Cell
B. Bacterial Cell
C. Animal Cell
D. All of the above
 Time for the quiz - 3

Q. Which organelle is known as power house of cell?

A. Lysosome
B. Golgi bodies
C. Mitochondria
D. Cytoplasm
 Time for the quiz - 4

Q. From given below options which is not the part of animal cell?

A. Mitochondria
B. Chloroplasts
C. Lysosome
D. Cell membrane
 Answers to the quiz
1. D
2. C
3. C
4. B
 Summary
A typical animal cell does not cell wall however certain other organelles
are common in plant cell.
A typical plant cell has organelles same as animal except chloroplast.
Mitochondria is also known as power house of the cells
Golgi bodies are the protein packaging plants.
 References

Anatomy and physiology in Health and illness - Ross and Wilson.