CELLS

Organisms are
made up of cells

Chapter
#2
What is a cell?
definition: The basic unit of life.
a small compartment that holds
all of the biological equipment
necessary to keep an organism
alive
 Discovery of Cells
• The invention of the lens

• Robert Hooke (1665): observed

a thin slice of cork (dead plant
cells) with a microscope. He
described what he observed as
“little boxes” (cells).
 Discovery of Cells
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1675):
was the first person to observe
living cells.
 The Cell Theory

The cell theory (proposed independently in 1838

and 1839) is a cornerstone of biology.

All organisms are composed of one or more cells.

Schleiden
Cells are the smallest living things.

Cells arise only by division of previously existing cells.

All organisms living today are descendents of an

ancestral cell.
Schwann
Cell Size and Types
• Cells, the basic units of organisms, can
only be observed under microscope
• Three Basic types of cells include:

Animal Cell Plant Cell Bacterial Cell 6

 Number of Cells
Although ALL living things are made of
cells, organisms may be:
• Unicellular – composed of one cell
• Multicellular- composed of many cells that
may organize into tissues, etc.

7
 The cell as the basic unit of life
• Cell is the smallest unit of living organisms
• Unicellular organisms are made of one cell
only
• The cells of multicellular organisms are
specialized to perform different functions
– e.g. mesophyll cells for photosynthesis
and root hair cells for water absorption
COMPARING CELLS

• The size & shape of

a cell relates to its
function. (job it does)
Similarities between plant cells
and animal cells
Both have a cell membrane surrounding
the cytoplasm

Both have a nucleus

Both contain mitochondria

 Differences between plant cells and
animal cells
Animal cells Plant cells
Relatively smaller in Relatively larger in
size size
Irregular shape Regular shape
No cell wall Cell wall present
Vacuole small or absent Large central vacuole
Glycogen granules as Starch granules as
food store food store
Cell membranes are partially
permeable
All cells have a membrane
surrounding the cell called cell
surface membrane or plasma
membrane.
In plant cell, it is difficult to see,
because it is right against the cell
wall.
The cell surface membrane is
very thin layer of protein & fat. It is
said to be partially permeable
which means that it will let some
substances through but not
others.
Plant cells have a cell wall
All plant cells are surrounded by a
cell wall made of cellulose
Animal cells never have cell walls.
Cellulose belongs to a group of
substances called polysaccharides.
It helps to protect, support the cell
& stops the plant cell from bursting
when it absorbs water by osmosis.
Because of the spaces between
the fibers even large molecules are
able to go through the cellulose cell
wall. It is therefore said to be fully
permeable.
Cytoplasm

Gel – like substance

found in the cell
Contains about 70%
water in many cells.
Many metabolic
reactions take place in
the cytoplasm.
 Most cells contain vacuoles
A vacuole is a space in a
cell, surrounded by a
membrane & containing
solution.
Most plant cells have very
large vacuoles, which
contain a solution of sugar
and other substances called
cell sap.
Animal cells have much
smaller vacuoles, which
may contain food or water.
 Chloroplasts
• Found only in
producers (organisms
containing chlorophyll)
• Use energy from
sunlight to make own
food (glucose)
• Energy from sun stored
in the Chemical Bonds
of Sugars(glucose)

17
 Chloroplasts
• Surrounded by DOUBLE
membrane
• Outer membrane smooth
• Inner membrane modified
into sacs called
Thylakoids
• Thylakoids in stacks
called Grana &
interconnected
• Stroma – gel like material
surrounding thylakoids
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Chloroplast traps the energy of
sunlight
Chloroplast are never found
in animal cells, but most of
the cells in the green parts
of plants have them.
They contain the green
pigment called chlorophyll,
absorbs the sunlight & the
energy of sunlight is then
used for making food for the
plant by photosynthesis.
 Chloroplasts
Green organelles that
make food
found only in plant cells
 Chloroplasts
• Surrounded by DOUBLE
membrane
• Outer membrane smooth
• Inner membrane modified
into sacs called
Thylakoids
• Thylakoids in stacks
called Grana &
interconnected
• Stroma – gel like material
surrounding thylakoids
21
The Mitochondrion
Think of the mitochondrion as the
powerhouse of the cell.

Both plant and animal cells

contain many mitochondria.

(Mitochondria is the
plural of mitochondrion)
Mitochondria release energy from
food
Most cells have mitochondria,
because it is here that the cell
release energy from food.
The energy is needed to help the
cell move & grow.
Mitochondria are sometimes
called the “powerhouses” of the
cell.
The energy is released by
combining food with oxygen, in a
process called aerobic
respiration,
The more active a cell , the more
mitochondria it has.
MITOCHONDRIA
Surrounded by a DOUBLE
membrane
Outer membrane encloses
the entire structure.
Folded inner membrane
called CRISTAE (increases
surface area for more
chemical Reactions)
Interior called MATRIX

24
 Mitochondria
• Structure: folded membrane
within an outer membrane
– The folds of the inner
membrane are called
cristae
• Function: -converts
energy stored in food
into usable energy for
work
cellular respiration
The Control Organelle - Nucleus
• Controls the normal

activities of the cell

• Contains the DNA in
chromosomes
• Bounded by a

nuclear envelope
(membrane) with pores
• Usually the largest 26
 More on the Nucleus
Nucleus

• Each cell has fixed

number of
chromosomes that
carry genes
• Genes control cell 27
 Nuclear Envelope
• Double membrane
surrounding nucleus
• Also called nuclear membrane
• Contains nuclear pores for
materials to enter & leave
nucleus
• Connected to the rough ER

Nuclear
pores
28
Ribosomes

Tiny dots helps in protein

synthesis.
Smooth ER – ribosomes
not attached to ER
Rough ER – ribosomes
attached to ER
Examples of cells & their
functions
Ciliated cells- in respiratory tract

Tiny hairs called cilia

which can move mucus.
Sweeps mucus in which
bacteria & dust have
been trapped up into
the back of the throat.
Cilia Moving Away Dust Particles from
the Lungs
Respiratory System

32
Root hair cells

The hair gives large

surface area.
Absorbs water &
mineral ions
Anchor the plant firmly
in the soil.
 Xylem cells

Long, thin cells arranged

end-to-end to form vessels
(tubes).
The cell lacks end walls &
cell contents such as
cytoplasm & nucleus.
Transports water & mineral
ions from roots to leaves.
Also helps to support the
plant.
Red blood cells
Have no nucleus,
contain hemoglobin.
Transport oxygen
around the body.
Sperm cell
 Level Of Organisation

CELLS – life starts here TISSUES – Similar cells working

 together
40
More Level Of Organisation

ORGAN
ORGANS SYSTEMS ORGANISM
 

Different tissues Different organs

working together working together 41
FROM CELL TO ORGANISM

Cell
The basic unit of life

Tissue
Group of cells working together

Organ
Group of tissues working together

Organ System
Group of organs working together

Organism
Any living thing made of 1 or more cells