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Sbl 1220 Cell and Cell Theory

The document discusses the fundamental concepts of cell biology, highlighting the definition, characteristics, and diversity of cells, as well as significant historical discoveries related to cells. It outlines the cell theory proposed by Schleiden and Schwann, which states that all organisms are composed of cells, and describes exceptions to this theory, such as viruses and bacteria. Additionally, it categorizes cells into prokaryotic and eukaryotic types based on their internal complexity and structure.

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12 views5 pages

Sbl 1220 Cell and Cell Theory

The document discusses the fundamental concepts of cell biology, highlighting the definition, characteristics, and diversity of cells, as well as significant historical discoveries related to cells. It outlines the cell theory proposed by Schleiden and Schwann, which states that all organisms are composed of cells, and describes exceptions to this theory, such as viruses and bacteria. Additionally, it categorizes cells into prokaryotic and eukaryotic types based on their internal complexity and structure.

Uploaded by

bulukuian5
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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KIBABII UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: SBL 1220 COURSE TITLE: CELL BIOLOGY

CELL AND CELL DISCOVERY


Introduction:
The cell is the smallest basic unit of all living organisms. They are also known to be building
blocks of life. It can also be defined as the structural and functional unit of living organisms.
They independently do their activities, they replicate to and divide. The science dealing with cell
study is known as cell biology or cytology.
Cells are made of identical types of molecular building block and share some common
characteristics. Even if cells have various common features, we take in consideration different
and various cell types and this classification and categorization of cells is known as cellular
diversity. This diversity of cells differs in kinds of organisms and within metazoan or
multicellular livings themselves. Commonly known characteristics shared by cells are like using
the same carbon in macromolecules which is the main component within cells. It includes
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and two nucleic acids found within nucleus of living cells. All
cells have DNA in which genetic characters are located and known as a genetic material of living
organisms. All living organisms use their genetic material (DNA) to make proteins where it
decodes before making proteins and these proteins help in energy of a cell helping also in
metabolic activities of cells.
Cell Discovery
The discovery of the microscope influenced the discovery of cells.
Marcello Malpighi (1661), found that plants consist of separate structural units “utricles“.
Robert Hooke (1665) observed a thin slice of cork under a very primitive microscope. Cork was
composed of box-like compartments/empty spaces, forming a honey comb structure. Other
scientists made their suggestions that these empty spaces can be used to transport fluid in a living
plant. He named it as cells (Latin cellula-a hallow space).
Antonn van Leenwenhoek(1676) observed under improved microscope living organisms of
single-cell organisms, or "little animalcules" the name given by him to these single celled
animals such as bacteria, protozoa, spermatozoa etc.

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Nehemiah Grew (1682). Cells in the forms of cavities with cellulose walls were discovered in
different plants. He wrote The Anatomy of Plants.
Henri J. Dutrochet (1824), expressed the idea of individuality of cells i.e., cells were not just
spaces between a network of fibres, but these were separate and separable units.
Barthelemy Dumortier (1832) - French scientist entered his description on described on binary
fission in plants and was the idea to cell division in common sense. He took his careful
observation to the formation of a mid-line partition structure of both original and new cell. His
observation directed to rejection of the idea said that new cell comes from within old ones.

Cell Theory
The cell theory or cell doctrine was proposed by Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann in
1839 describe that all organisms are composed of similar units of organisation, called cells.
In 1838 M. Schleiden found that all plant cells have basically similar structure.
T. Schwann (1839) observed that animal cells differ from plant cells in lacking cell wall but are
otherwise similar amongst themselves. He declared that all animals and plants are made up of
cells.
Schleiden (1838) summarized his observations into three conclusions about cells:
1. The cell is the unit of structure, physiology, and organization in living things.
2. The cell retains a dual existence as a distinct entity and a building block in the
construction of organisms.
3. Cells form by free-cell formation, similar to the formation of crystals (spontaneous
generation).
Rudolph Virchow (1858) states that "Omnis cellula e cellula"- that the new cells arise from pre-
existing cells only. The main features of cell theory as known nowadays are
1. All living organism are composed of cells. Therefore cell is structural unit of living
organisms.
2. All cells arise from the pre-existing cells of similar type. Thus cell is a unit of heredity.
3. All cells are basically alike in chemical composition and metabolism activities.
4. The function of an organism as a whole is the result of the activities and interactions of
its cells.

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Exceptions to the Cell Theory
1. Virus- Protoplasm and nucleus absent. DNA and RNA is the genetic material.
2. Bacteria and Blue Green Algae:- Nuclear membrane is absent, thus the nuclear content is
in direct contact with the cytoplasm. No true cells.
3. Some mould fungi: - Body is made-up of undivided mass of protoplasm in which several
nuclei are scattered.
CELL DIVERSITY
Cell size
Cell size varies widely in various plants. The size varies from micron to mm (a micron is a one
thousandth part of a millimeter). The smallest cells are found in bacteria, the cell of
Mycoplasma laidlawii with a diameter of about 0.1-0.15 micron is considered to be the
smallest. In plants the longest cells are fibres producing e.g. Jute, Cotton, ramie, which are about
55cm long. A single celled alga Acetabularia measures about 10 cm in height.

Cell shape
The shape of the cells varies with their position in plants. It can be polygonal, spherical,
elliptical, spindle-shaped, cuboidal, plate-like or irregular.
In multicellular plants cell shape also depends on their location and nature of function. The cell
shapes are influenced by the surface tension and viscosity of the protoplasm, pressure exerted by
the surrounding cells and the rigidity of cell membrane.

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Cell types
Two types of living cells were recognized in plants by Dougherty (1957). This division is based
on internal complexity
1. Prokaryotic (pro = primitive, karyon = nucleus) cell:
a. The nuclear material is not bounded by nuclear membrane, the nuclear materials remain
diffused with cytoplasm.
b. an organized nucleus is absent in the protoplasm, i.e., the nucleus is without nuclear
membrane, nuclear reticulum, nucleoplasm and nucleolus. Only monera i.e. Blue green algae
(Cyanobacteria) and Bacteria are prokaryotic cell known as prokaryotes.
c. the genetic material contain DNA, histone absent

2. Eukaryotic cell (eu =true, karyon =nucleus):


This type of cells have:-
a. A true nucleus with a definite nuclear membrane by which nuclear material is bounded.
b. the genetic material contains DNA complex with histone proteins to form well-organized
chromosomes.
c. Nucleoli present. The majority of plants are composed of eukaryotic cells. Distinct organelles,
the small structures that each perform a specific set of functions, are present within eukaryotes

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Reading Assignment
1. What is a nucleoid?
2. Tabulate ten comparisons between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

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