The Cellular Basis of Life

Cells
• Smallest living unit
• Most are microscopic
 Discovery of Cells
• Robert Hooke (mid-1600s)
– Observed sliver of cork
– Saw “row of empty boxes”
– Coined the term cell
 Cell theory
• (1839)Theodor Schwann & Matthias Schleiden
“ all living things are made of cells”

• (50 yrs. later) Rudolf Virchow

“all cells come from cells”
 Principles of Cell Theory
• All living things are made of cells

• Smallest living unit of structure and

function of all organisms is the cell

• All cells arise from preexisting cells

Cell Size
 Characteristics of All Cells
• A surrounding membrane
• Protoplasm – cell contents in thick fluid
• Organelles – structures for cell function
• Control center with DNA
 Water in the Cell
– Cells are 60% water
– Interstitial fluid
• Dilute, saltwater around cells
• Site of all exchanges between cells and blood
 Variations in Cells- Length
Over 1 meter
2 micrometers

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 Variations in Cells- Shape
• Red Blood Cells- disk
shaped
• Nerve Cells- spindle
shaped
• Smooth Muscle Cells-
Threadlike
• Epithelial Cells-
Cubes

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 Variations in Cells- Function

• Over 200 cell types found in the body

 Two Major Cell Types

Cell Type Example

Prokaryotic Bacteria
Eukaryotic Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
 Prokaryotic Cells
• First cell type on earth
• Cell type of Bacteria and Archaea
 Prokaryotic Cells
• No membrane bound nucleus
• Nucleoid = region of DNA concentration
• Organelles not bound by membranes
Prokaryotic Cell
 Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
All prokaryotic cells contain
Structure Function
Plasma Regulates flow of
Membrane substances into and out
of cell
Nucleoid Cytoplasmic region
containing genetic
material
Cytoplasm Cytosol: fluid
Ribosomes
Enzymes
 Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
Other possible prokaryotic structures

Structure Function
Cell Wall Supports cell
Maintains shape
Capsule Protects from drying
Protects against
white blood cells
Infolded Plasma Metabolism
Membranes Cell division
 Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
Other possible prokaryotic structures

Structure Function
Bacterial Movement
Flagellum
Plasmid Small circular DNA
Replicates
independently
 Applying Your Knowledge
1. Cell Wall
2. Flagellum
3. Capsule
4. Plasmid
5. Nucleoid

In bacterial cells
• where is the genetic material located?
• which one is used for movement?
• which one provides structural support for
the cell?
 Eukaryotic Cells
• Nucleus bound by membrane
• Include fungi, protists, plant,
and animal cells
• Possess many organelles

Protozoan
Eukaryotic Cell
(protist, animal)
Eukaryotic Cell
(plant)
 Differences Between Cell Types
Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

Single circular Multiple linear

chromosome chromosomes
Chromosome found Chromosomes found
in a cytoplasmic in a membrane-
region called the bound nucleus.
nucleoid.
No internal Extensive network of
membranes internal membranes
Some infolded
plasma membrane
 Common Components
and Cellular Organization
• Plasma Membrane
– boundary surrounding the cell
• Genetic material: DNA
– located in a membrane-bound nucleus
for eukaryotic cells
• Cytoplasm
– Semi-fluid matrix containing enzymes
and organelles
(enzyme = biological catalyst)
• Cytoskeleton
– network of filaments and tubules in cytoplasm that
maintains cell shape, allows movement
 Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Plasma 1. Regulates passage of
Membrane materials into and out of cell
2. Cell-Cell Recognition
 Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Cell Wall 1. Controls cell shape,
(protists, protects, supports
fungi, plants)
 Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Nucleus 1. Carrier of genetic
material
DNA + protein =
chromatin
2. Governs cell
activities
3. Directs cell
reproduction
 The Nucleus
– Nuclear Envelope
• The membrane of the
Nucleus
– Nucleoli
• Where ribosomes are
assembled
• Round, dark staining
bodies
– Chromatin
• DNA combined with
protein
• When the cell divides the
DNA condenses into
chromosomes
 SER
Functions of RER
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Rough 1. Associated ribosomes produce
Endoplasmic proteins
Reticulum (RER) 2. Prepares proteins for export
Smooth 1. Lipid Synthesis
Endoplasmic 2. Drug detoxification
Reticulum (SER) 3. Transport of proteins from RER
 Functions of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Golgi Collects, modifies, packages and
Apparatus distributes proteins and lipids from ER
 Functions of
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Lysosome Contains digestive enzymes
to digest food in protists or
destroy aging organelles
 Endomembrane System
Rough Smooth
Endoplasmic Endoplasmic
Reticulum Reticulum

Vesicle

Golgi
Apparatus Lysosome

Vesicle
Vesicle

Plasma
Membrane
 Functions of
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function
Peroxisome Removes harmful oxidants
from cells
 Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure Function
Mitochondrion Captures energy from
organic molecules,
producing ATP
 Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure Function
Chloroplast Photosynthesis: Uses light
(protists, plants) energy to produce organic
molecules
 Functions
of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Cytoskeleton 1. Maintains cell shape
2. Anchors organelles and proteins
3. Allows for organelle movement
and cellular movement in some
cell types
 Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure Function
Centriole Gives rise to basal bodies that
produce cilia or flagella
 Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features
Structure Function(s)
Vacuole 1. Central vacuole (plants) stores
waste, maintains turgidity.
2. Contractile vacuole (protists)
maintains water balance.
3. Food vacuole (protists) fuses
with lysosome for digestion.
 Functions of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure Function(s)
Cilia and 1. Move substances across
Flagella cell surface in lungs,
fallopian tubes
2. Cell movement in sperm,
protists
 Applying Your Knowledge
1. Cilium
2. Rough ER
3. Golgi apparatus
4. Smooth ER
5. Lysosome
A. Which organelle produces proteins that will
be exported from the cell?
B. Which organelle contains digestive
enzymes?
C. Which site acts as a protein packaging and
distribution center?
 Thought Questions

1. What are similarities for

a. eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
b. animal and plant cells?
2. What are differences between
a. eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
b. animal and plant cells?
 Analogy

If the cell were a factory

the ____________________ would be

(name a cell component)

a _____________________________.
(name a part of a factory)
 Cell Diversity
• Trillions of cells in the body, 200 different
cell types
Cells that connect body parts
• Fibroblast- secretes cable-like fibers
• Erythrocyte (red blood cell)- carries
oxygen in the blood stream
Cells that cover and line body organs

–Epithelial cell- pack together into

sheets
Cells that move organs and body parts

• Skeletal and Smooth Muscle cells-

contract in order to move bones or
internal organs
 Cell that stores nutrients
• Fat cell- stores a lipid droplet
 Cell that fights disease
• Macrophage- digest infectious
microorganisms
Cell that gathers information and
controls body functions
• Nerve cell (neuron)- send electrical
signals
 Cells of reproduction
• Oocyte- female egg cell
• Sperm- male cell with flagellum