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Cell Theory

The document discusses cell theory and key aspects of cells such as their size limitations due to surface area to volume ratios, how they are viewed under microscopes, and how multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cell types. Cell theory states that cells are the basic unit of life, arise from pre-existing cells, and make up all living things.

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7 views

Cell Theory

The document discusses cell theory and key aspects of cells such as their size limitations due to surface area to volume ratios, how they are viewed under microscopes, and how multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cell types. Cell theory states that cells are the basic unit of life, arise from pre-existing cells, and make up all living things.

Uploaded by

rue
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TOPIC: CELL THEORY

Key Knowledge:
• Surface area to volume ratio as an important factor in the limitations of cell size and the need for
internal compartments (organelles) with specific cellular functions

FUNCTIONS OF LIFE
All living things carry out seven basic functions integral to survival:
• Metabolism: Living things undertake essential chemical reactions
• Reproduction: Living things produce offspring, either sexually or asexually
• Sensitivity: Living things are responsive to internal and external stimuli
• Homeostasis: Living things maintain a stable internal environment
• Excretion: Living things possess the capacity to remove waste products
• Nutrition: Living things exchange materials / gases with the environment
• Growth / movement: Living things can move and change shape or size Hint: MR SHENG

CELL THEORY
The cell theory describes the structural organisation of all living things. According to the cell theory:
• The cell is the smallest unit of life (unicellular organisms are capable of all seven functions of life)
• All living things are composed of cells (or their cellular products – such as hair, nails, etc.)
• Cells only arise from pre-existing cells (spontaneous generation of life is no longer possible on Earth)

CELL SIZE
Cells and their components are measured according to the metric system. Most cells will be measured in
micrometres (10–6 metres), while subcellular components may be measured in nanometres (10–9 metres).

Unit 1 10–2 10–3 10–6 10–9


Prefix metre (m) centimetre (cm) millimetre (mm) micrometre (µm) nanometre (nm)

MICROSCOPES
As cells are typically too small to view with the naked eye, they may be
visualised instead via the use of microscopes (i.e. light versus electron).

Light Microscopy:
• Views living specimens in natural colour (uses lenses to bend light)
• Has a much lower resolution and magnification (roughly 100-fold)

Electron Microscopy:
• Views dead specimens in monochrome (uses electromagnets)
• Has a much higher resolution and magnification (can view in nm)
o Transmission electron microscopes generate a cross-section
o Scanning electron microscopes will render a 3D surface map Light (top) vs Electron (bottom)
MAGNIFICATION
To calculate the linear magnification of a drawing or image,
the following calculations may be used (mnemonic = MIA):
• MIA: Magnification = Image size ÷ Actual size

To calculate the actual size of a specimen within an image,


the following calculations may be used (mnemonic = AIM):
• AIM: Actual size = Image size ÷ Magnification EXAMPLE: COMMON DUST MITE
Image = 6.3 cm Actual = 350 µm
Any calculation requires all sizes (image and actual) to be
Magnification = ´ 180 (63,000 ÷ 350)
in the same units (e.g. both represented by micrometres)

SURFACE AREA : VOLUME RATIO


Surface area and volume are important determinants in the limitation of cell size. Cells must remain small
in order to maintain a viable surface area : volume ratio. Cells need to produce chemical energy to survive
(via metabolism) and this requires the exchange of materials with the environment (nutrition / excretion).
• The rate of metabolism of a cell is a function of its mass / volume (larger cells will need more energy)
• The rate of material exchange is a function of a cell’s surface area (more membrane = more exchange)

If the metabolic rate (volume) exceeds the rate of material exchange (surface area), the cell will be unable
to maintain homeostasis and will eventually die. Hence, a cell will require a high SA : Vol ratio to order for
it to survive. However, as a cell grows, the volume (cubic units) increases more rapidly compared to the
surface area (squared units), leading to a decreased ratio. Consequently, growing cells will tend to divide
and remain small in order to maintain a viable SA : Vol ratio. Additionally, certain cells and tissues that are
specialised for material exchange (e.g. lung and intestinal tissues) may modify their structure to increase
their surface area and optimise material transfer (e.g. cell membranes may be ruffled to form microvilli).

SINGLE STRUCTURE DIVIDED STRUCTURE

Volume = 125 units3 Volume = 125 units3

Surface Area = 150 units2 Surface Area = 750 units2

SA:Vol Ratio = 1.2 (low) SA:Vol Ratio = 6 (high)

MULTICELLULAR ORGANISMS
Multicellular organisms are composed of multiple cells combining to complete synergistic functions. While
all cells in a multicellular organism are clones (genetically identical), groups of cells may differentiate in
order to specialise and perform specific functions. A group of cells of the same type that perform a
common function is called a tissue. Different tissues may interact to form specific organ systems that carry
out a particular body function (e.g. circulatory systems transport materials around the body). The process
by which the genetically identical cells of an organism become functionally distinct is called differentiation
and occurs as a result of the selective expression of genetic instructions (genes) within a particular cell.
Cells that have yet to differentiate and retain the capacity to form any type of cell are called stem cells.

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