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HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY HANDOUT

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CELL: STRUCTURAL UNIT OF LIFE

What is a Cell?

● Cells are the structural and

functional units of all living things,
including humans
Cell Theory
● In the late 1600s, Robert Hooke coined
the term “cell” upon discovering cube-
like structures in a plant tissue under a
crude microscope.

● In the late 1800s, cell research has been

exceptional and has provided the four
concepts of the cell theory.
Four Concepts FUNCTIONS OF THE CELL

1. A cell is a basic structural and functional ⮚ Bone cells form and regenerate the
unit of all living organisms bones in the body
⮚ Nervous system cells send messages
2. The activity of an organism depends on within the brain and throughout the
the collective activities of the cells body to produce actions
⮚ Blood cells carry oxygen and help the
immune system
3. The activities of cells are dictated by
⮚ Male and female sex cells unite to
their structure (anatomy), which
determines function (physiology) produce offspring
(Principle of complementary) ⮚ Each cell has a genetic information or
the DNA that acts as an instruction
manual telling a cell how to function
4. Continuity of life has a cellular basis and replicate
 ● The plasma membrane is made up of 2
layers of lipid molecules, known as the
ANATOMY OF A GENERALIZED CELL
lipid bilayer. The hydrophilic (water
NUCLEUS loving) heads of the lipids, which are
● The control center of the cell that attracted to water. The tails of the
contains the genetic material, or lipids, which are hydrophobic (water
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fearing).
● DNA - A blueprint that contains genes ● Proteins form ion channels, carry
and all the instructions needed for
substances through the membrane, act
building the whole body
as markers or receptors, and facilitate
NUCLEAR ENVELOPE other cellular functions.
● Glycoproteins or “sugar-proteins” are
● Also known as the “nuclear boundary”
branching sugar-groups attached to
is a double membrane barrier. The two
layers of the envelope fuse, generating most proteins. They determine your
openings called nuclear pores blood type, act as receptors that certain
NUCLEOLUS bacteria, viruses, or toxins can bind to,
and play a role in cell-to-cell recognition
● Small, dark-staining, and essentially and interactions.
round bodies where ribosomes are
assembled
CELLS ARE BOUND TOGETHER DUE TO . . .
CHROMATIN
⮚ Glycoproteins in the glycolayx act as an
● Loose network of “beads on a string”
adhesive or cellular glue
that is scattered throughout the nucleus

⮚ Wavy contours of the membranes of

adjacent cells fit together in a tongue-
and-groove fashion

⮚ Special cell membrane junctions are

formed

PLASMA MEMBRANE
Encloses the cell’s cytoplasm and separates the
cell contents from the surrounding environment
FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
 ● chemical substances, stored nutrients
or cell products floating in the cytosol
ORGANELLES
● Specialized cellular compartments that
are the metabolic machinery of the cell
MITOCHONDRIA
● “Powerhouse of the cell”
● Major site for ATP synthesis or
production
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
● It is a system of fluid-filled tunnels (or
canals) that coil and twist through the
cytoplasm
o Rough ER

− Membranous tubules and

CELL MEMBRANE JUNCTIONS flattened sacs with attached
ribosomes
1. Tight Junctions -- These are
− Synthesizes proteins, which
impermeable junctions that encircle the
are usually transported to
cells and bind them together into
Golgi apparatus
leakproof sheets
o Smooth ER
2. Desmosomes -- These are anchoring
junctions forming an internal system of − No attached ribosomes
strong “wires” that prevent cells − Manufactures lipids (lipid
subjected to stress (such as heart metabolism) and
muscle cells and skin cells) from being carbohydrates; detoxifies
pulled apart. harmful chemicals; stores
3. Gap Junctions -- function mainly to calcium
allow communication (communicating
junctions) GOLGI APPARATUS
o Connexons -- hollow cylinders ● Flattened membrane sacs stacked on
composed of proteins each other
connecting neighboring cells ● Modifies, packages, and distributes
proteins and lipids for secretion or
CYTOPLASM
internal use
● The cellular material outside the
nucleus and inside the plasma LYSOSOMES
membrane
● Membrane-bound vesicle pinched off
CYTOSOL Golgi apparatus
● Contains digestive enzymes
● semitransparent fluid (which is largely
water) that suspends other elements PEROXISOMES

INCLUSIONS
 ● Membranous vesicles of oxidase and CELL EXTENSIONS
catalase enzymes
● Serves as one site of lipid and amino ⮚ Cilia and Flagella — Extensions of the
plasma membrane containing doublets
acid degradation; breaks down
hydrogen peroxide of parallel microtubules; Move
materials over the surface of cells and
PROTEASOMES propel spermatozoa in humans
● Tubelike protein complexes in the
cytoplasm ⮚ Microvilli — Extensions of the plasma
● Break down proteins in the cytoplasm membrane containing microfilaments;
Increase surface area of the plasma
CYTOSKELETON
membrane for absorption and
● An elaborate network of protein secretion; modified to form sensory
structures extending throughout the receptors
cytoplasm. It is made up of
References:
microfilaments, intermediate filaments
and microtubules
MICROFILAMENTS ● Marieb, E. and Keller, S., 2018.
Essentials of Human Anatomy &
Physiology. 12th ed. Pearson
● Fine filaments composed of the protein Education Limited, pp.62-85.
actin ● VanPutte, C, Regan, J, Russo, A
● Cell motility and cell shape changes 2019, Seeley’s Anatomy &
● Involved in muscle contraction and Physiology, 12th edition, McGraw
other types of intracellular movement Hill Education, New York, NY, pp.
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS 58-98.

• Strong, stable, rope-like and made

up of fibrous subunits Prepared by:
● Help form desmosomes and provide
internal guy wires to resist pulling Charmaine Maaño, PTRP
forces on the cell Human Anatomy & Physiology Lecturer
MICROTIUBULES
● Cylindrical structures made of tubulin
proteins
● Support the cell and give it shape

CENTRIOLES
● Paired cylindrical bodies, each
composed of nine triplets of
microtubules
● Needed for cell division and to form
bases of cilia and flagella