Lecture Title: Cell Structure and Function

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Introduction
The living world is divided into two domains. The Eukaryotic domain (fungi such as molds, yeasts
mushrooms; plantae such as some groups of algae and bryophytes, protista which are single celled microscopic
eucaryotes, and animalia which are the ingestive multicellular organisms) and the Procaryotic domain which is
made up of two distinct groups: the Archaebacteria and Eubacteria).

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of these domains of living organisms. They are the
smallest units of life that can maintain their vital functions independently. The cell concept, asserts that all living
organisms are composed of it and that the cell being the fundamental unit of life, has significantly influenced
classification in Biology. Providing a basis for understanding and comparing living organisms. Zoologists use
cellular characteristics to assess evolutionary relationships, construct phylogenetic trees, and organize animals
within the taxonomic hierarchy. Cells are complex structures with specialized functions essential for life.
Understanding its structure and function is crucial for understanding biological processes and phenomena.

Representative Animal Cell Representative Plant Cell

Basic characteristics of all Cells

• Cells posses a surrounding membrane.

•The protoplasm (i.e the cell contents in a viscous fluid).

• Organelles (structures for cell-function).

• Control center that contains the DNA

Types of Cells

There are two types of cells:

1. Procaryotic cells.

2. Eucaryotic cells

Pocaryotic cells (From the word procaryote meaning ‘before-nucleus’)

Procaryotic cells are the first cell type on earth. Examples of the cell type are: Bacteria and Archaea

Characteristics of procaryotic cells:

A. Possesses a nucleoid (i.e a region of DNA concentration)

B. Organelles are not bound by membrane.

C. No membrane-bound nucleus.

D. Nucleoid without linear chromosomes.

Eukaryotic Cells ( from the word Eukaryotes meaning ‘true-nucleus’)

• Nucleus bound by membrane

• Possesses many membrane enclosed organelles

* Nucleus contains chromosomes composed of chromatin which is made up of proteins called histones and RNA, in
addition to DNA

* Includes the Fungi (saprozoic, heterotrphic multicellular organisms), Plantae (Photosynthetic, autotrophic
mutlcellular plants), Protista (single celled eucaryotes), and Animalia (ingestive heterotrphic organisms.).

Cell Structure:

1. Cell Membrane (Also known as the plasmalemma or plasma membrane)

- Thin, semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cell content.

- Composed of phospholipid bilayer with embedded transport and receptor proteins

- Regulates movement of materials in and out of the cell through selective permeability.

- Maintains intra-cellular environment.

-Aids in cell-to-cell recognition.

-Found in plant and animal cells

- Found in procaryotic and Eucaryotic cells.

3. Cell wall (cw)

- Found in plants, fungi, & many protists.

- It is secreted by the protoplasm

- Surrounds plasma membrane.

- Made of carbohydrates fibres

- For protection, support and flexibility.

- Found in Plants only.

- Present in procaryotic and Eucaryotic cells.

 In Plants – composed mostly cellulose (often regarded as the wood)

 In Fungi – contain chitin

 In Bacteria -- Glycoprotein

4. Protoplasm (Divided into the Cytoplasm and the nucleus)

The essential living material of the cell.

Most physiological processes are carried out here.

Cytoplasm

- Jelly-like-viscous fluid containing organelles bound by a semi permeable membrane(mitochondria, ER, golgi body,
lysosomes, etc) inside the cell membrane, and cell inclusions such as water fats, carbohydrates, enzymes, etc

- Site of metabolic reactions

- Provides an internal environment.

- Holds the organelles in-place.

- Composed of :

- Interconnected filaments & fibers, (Fluid/ ions/macromolecules) = cytosol, Organelles (not nucleus), and Storage
substances
- Present in both plant an animal cells.

- Present in Eucaryotic cells and Procaryotic cells.

Nucleus

- Control center of the cell

-Takes part in both sexual and asexual reproduction

Oval or spherical in shape

- Surrounded by a nuclear envelope.

Contains nuclear sap or nucleoplasm

- Contains genetic material (DNA) and nucleolus

- Regulates cell growth, division, and function

- One nucleus present in plant and animal cells, while most algae and fungi are multi-nucleated.

- Present in Eukaryotes only.

- Bacteria and Archaebacteria do not have true and developed nuclei

5. Mitochondria

- Powerhouses of the cell

- Generate energy (ATP) through cellular respiration for vital activities.

- Break down fuel molecules (cellular respiration)

- Oxydative and reductive enzymes for glucose metabolism are located in the mitochondrion

- Found in both plant and animal cells.

- Present only in eukaryotic cells. .e they are absent in bacteria and blue-green algae.

6. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

- Network of interconnected and intercommunicating membranous tubules and channels of enclosed spaces called
cisterna (cisternae, singular).

- Involved in protein synthesis, transport, and storage of metabolites.

- Helps move substances within cells.

- Involved in enzyme formation.

-There are two types of Endoplastic reticulum

Rough ER (with ribosomes)

-Presence of polyribosomes attached to its surface.

- Prominent in cells specialized for protein-secretion

– Manufacture protiens

– Not all ribosomes attached to rough ER

- Principal function is to

• May modify proteins from ribosome

Present I both plant and animal cells.

Present only in eukaryotic cells.

Smooth ER (without ribosomes)

- Functions in calcium storage and lipid synthesis.

- No attached ribosomes.

- Present in plant and animal cells.

- Absent in procaryotic cells.

7. Ribosomes

- Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm

- Site of protein synthesis.

-Made up of ribonucleic acid and proteins (histones)

8. Golgi Body/Apparatus

- Complex of flattened sacs and tubules

- Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for tansport.

- Functions in the secretion of enzymes, hormones, etc.

-Generally refered to as the post-office of the cell.

- Present in plant and animal cells.

- Absent in procaryotic cells.

9. Lysosomes
- Membrane-bound sacs containing hydrolytic digestive enzymes

- Often reffered to as the suicide bag of the cell.

- Break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances and dead structures

- Involved in the fertilization of the ovum.

- Present only in animal cells.

-Absent in procaryotic cells

9. Cytoskeleton

- Network of protein filaments and fibres

- Provides structural support and shape

- Provides anchor for organelles.

-. Helps move substances.

- Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.

Present in both plants and animals.

Present in eukeryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Assignment: Write on Vacoules, Plastids, Peroxisomes, Centrosome, and Chloroplast.

Differences between plants and animal cells (Consult the “Foundations of Biology” textbook)

Cell Functions

1. Metabolism

- Energy conversion and utilization

- Includes photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and fermentation

2. Cell Division

- Process of cell reproduction

- Includes mitosis (somatic cells) and meiosis (reproductive cells)

3. Protein Synthesis

- Creation of proteins from amino acids

- Occurs on ribosomes

4. Cell Signaling

- Communication between cells through signals

- Regulates cell behavior and responses.

Eukaryotic Cell Structures and their Functions

A comparism of Bacterium, Animal, and Plant cells.