BIOL 205 Ø 11 (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY)

LECTURE NOTE ON CELL TYPES

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

T.J.R. FAULKNER COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA

Allen Johnny Borlay, Ph.D.

Course Instructor
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 CELL DEFINITION
A structure containing a mass of cytoplasm surrounded by
a semi-permeable membrane called plasma membrane is
called a cell
It is the basic morphological, functional, and reproductive
unit of all unicellular and multicellular organisms
It is an autonomous and dynamic system that is
characterized by basic life manifestations (metabolism,
growth, irritability, reproduction, and development)
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 THE CELL (History and Origin)
 Robert Hooke (1665), using his light microscope, discovered that a section of cork is
made up of small cavities surrounded by firm walls

 He used the term “cell” for the first time to describe his investigations on the
“texture of a piece of cork”

 A. Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) observed various unicellular organisms and cells

like bacteria, protozoans, red blood cells, sperm, etc.

 He observed nucleus in some erythrocytes, and all this was made possible with the
improved microscopes

 Schleiden and Schwann (1838/9) formulated the cell theory in which they
destinated plant and animal cells as elementary constituents of all living organisms.

 Schwann, T. (1839) after examining a variety of animals and plant tissues → all
living organisms are composed of cells
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 The Cellular Level of Organization
 Living things are constructed of cells

 Living things may be unicellular or multicellular

 Cell structure is diverse, but all cells share common characteristics

 Cells are small so that they can exchange materials with their surroundings

The Cell Theory:

 In 1855 Virchow revised the cell theory and summarized it into three
general points:
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in organisms.
3. All cells come only from other cells.
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 Only TWO Basic Types of
Cells

Prokaryotic cells
The “studio Eukaryotic cells
apartment” of The “mansion”
cells of cells

WHY DO THE COURSE CELL

BIOLOGY?
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 Prokaryotic cells
What is a Characteristics of Prokaryotic
Prokaryotic Cell ? Cell
 Lack a nuclear membrane.
 Single-cell with nuclear
 Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast, and
material but no nuclear
membrane or membrane lysosomes are absent.
bound organelles
 Genetic material is present on a single
→ Bacteria and Archaea. chromosome.
 Photosynthetic  Important constituents (histone proteins) of
prokaryotes → eukaryotic chromosomes, are lacking.
cyanobacteria that  Cell wall is made up of carbohydrates and amino
perform photosynthesis acids

 Plasma membrane acts as the mitochondrial

 Consists of a single
membrane carrying respiratory enzymes.
membrane→ rxns occur
within the cytoplasm
 Divide asexually by binary fission. 6
 Can be free-living or  The sexual mode of reproduction involves
 Prokaryotic Cell Structure

 Do not have a
nuclear membrane

The genetic
material is present
in a region in the
cytoplasm known
as the nucleoid

May be spherical,
rod-shaped, or
spiral.
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 Prokaryotic Cell Structure
cont.
 Capsule– outer protective covering  Pili– hair-like outgrowths that attach to the
found in the bacterial cells, in addition surface of other bacterial cells
to the cell wall
 Flagella– are long structures in the form of
 Aid → moisture retention, protects a whip, that help in the locomotion of a cell
the cell when engulfed, & aid in  Ribosomes– are involved in protein
attachment of cells to nutrients and synthesis
surfaces.

 Plasmids– Plasmids are non-chromosomal

 Cell Wall– outermost layer of the cell
DNA structures.
which gives shape to the cell.
 Nucleoid Region– region in the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm– composed of enzymes,
where the genetic material is present.
salts, cell organelles and is a gel-like
component→
 A prokaryotic cell lacks certain
organelles like mitochondria,
 Cell Membrane– This layer surrounds
endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi
the cytoplasm and regulates the entry bodies. 8
and exit of substances in the cells.
 Four main component
Prokaryotic cells

 Plasma Membrane- It is an outer protective covering of phospholipid

molecules which separates the cell from the surrounding environment.

 Cytoplasm- It is a jelly-like substance present inside the cell. All the cell
organelles are suspended in it.

 DNA- It is the genetic material of the cell. All the prokaryotes possess a
circular DNA. It directs what proteins the cell creates. It also regulates
the actions of the cell.

 Ribosomes- Protein synthesis occurs here.

 Some prokaryotic cells possess cilia and flagella which helps in

locomotion
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 Eukaryotic cells
Characteristics of Eukaryotic
Cell
What is a
 Eukaryotic cells have the nucleus enclosed within
Eukaryotic Cell??
the nuclear membrane.
 Eukaryotic cells have  The cell has mitochondria.
a nucleus enclosed
within the nuclear  Flagella and cilia are the locomotory organs in a
membrane and form eukaryotic cell.
large and complex
organisms  A cell wall is the outermost layer of the eukaryotic
cells.
 Protozoa, fungi,  The cells divide by a process called mitosis.
plants, and animals all
have eukaryotic cells.  The eukaryotic cells contain a cytoskeletal structure.

 The nucleus contains a single, linear DNA, which 10

 Eukaryotic cells Structure
 Plasma membrane →  Cytoskeleton→ present inside the cytoplasm,
separates the cell from the which consists of microfilaments, microtubules,
outside environment and fibers to provide perfect shape to the cell,
anchor the organelles, and stimulate cell
 It comprises specific embedded movement
proteins, which help in the
exchange of substances in and  Endoplasmic Reticulum → a network of
out of the cell. membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a
eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear
 Cell Wall → a rigid structure membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached
and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis
present outside the plant cell
 Endoplasmic Reticulum is of two types
 Provides shape to the cell and  Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum contains
helps in cell-to-cell interaction ribosomes
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum that lacks
 Protective layer that protects the
ribosomes and is therefore smooth
cell from any injury or pathogen  Nucleus
attacks  The nucleoplasm enclosed within the nucleus
contains DNA and proteins
 Composed of cellulose,
 The nuclear envelop consists of two layers- the 11
hemicellulose, pectins, proteins, outer membrane and the inner membrane.
Eukaryotic cells Structure cont.

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