Page One The Cell: Understanding the Basic Unit of Life

Historical Overview
Robert Hooke First scientist to coin the phrase cell Anton Van Leeuwenhoek First to describe living cells Robert Brown Discovered the nucleus Matthias Schleiden Stated that all plants are made of cells Theodor Schwann Stated that all animals are made of cells Rudolph Virchow Stated that all cells come from pre-existing cells

Cell Theory - The postulates of the cell theory are:

All living things are made up of one or more cells Cells are the functional units of life All cells come from pre-existing cells The activity of an entire organism depends on the total activity of its independent cells

Organization of Cells
1. Single Cell each cell must do everything independently to keep itself

alive (ex. Bacteria, Protozoa, few Algae and Fungi)

2. Multicellular various groups of cells within a whole organism perform specialized tasks all of these groups must co-ordinate their efforts to help keep each other alive (ex. The rest of Bacteria, Protozoa, Algae and Fungi)

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic Cells Does not have membrane bound organelles Before the nucleus (Ex. Plants, Animals, Fungus, Protista) Eukaryotic Cells Does have membrane bound organelles True Nucleus (Ex. Monera)

Cell Structure and Function

Specialized functions that maintain all the life processes of the cell: Intake nutrients Movement Exchange of Gases The three basic cell structures that are common to all cells are: Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Nuclear Region Growth Response to Stimuli

Reproduction Waste Removal

Cell Organelles
Cell Membrane The cell membrane separates the internal parts of both
plant and animal cells from the external environment that surrounds the cell. Its main function is to control the movement of substance or chemicals in and out of the cell. (It controls what enters the cell from the environment and what exits from inside the cell) The types of molecules that make up the cell membrane are: Proteins, Phospholipids, and Carbohydrates

Cell Membrane Diagram Cell Wall Only plant cells, bacteria, fungi, and some algae have a cell
wall. The cell wall is composed of extremely small fibers called microfibrils. Microfibrils are made of a chemical called cellulose. The cellulose microfibrils form a thick weave that is very rigid, very strong, but also pores. The functions of the cell wall are to help maintain the shape of the plant cell, and when conditions cause water to enter the plant cell, the cell wall prevents the plant cell from bursting.

Protoplasm The total contents inside a cell, including the cell

membrane. It is in both plant and animal cells.

Cytoplasm The content of the cell located outside the nucleus and
inside the cell membrane, not including the cell membrane.

Nucleus The nucleus is the brains of the cell. It is an organelle that is

found in both plant and animal cells. It is surrounded by a double membrane. Inside the nuclear membrane, or nuclear envelope lies a liquid substance called nucleoplasm. Floating in the nucleoplasm is the nucleolus and a fibrous structure called chromatin. The job of the nucleus is believed to be to manufacture ribosomes.

Ribosomes Are found in both plant and animal cells. They are found
floating freely in the cytoplasm, but most are found attached to membranes inside the cytoplasm. Their only function is the synthesis or production of protein.

Endoplasmic Reticulum A system of channels that are found

through the cytoplasm from the outer nuclear membrane, and are found in plant and animal cells. ER has two functions it is a cytoplasmic transport system, and the site of protein synthesis. Rough ER The site of protein synthesis Smooth ER Responsible for the synthesis of non-protein chemicals

Golgi Apparatus It modifies sorts, and packages protein for delivery

throughout the cell or outside the cell, after receiving it from the ER. It is found in both plant and animal cells.

Vacuoles and Vesicles Vesicles are used to transport materials

throughout the cell rather than storage. There are three types of vacuoles. They are found in both plant and animal cells. They are made of single membranes surrounding a liquid content. Food Vacuoles Store food and water for the cell, removes waste, provides cellular structure. Contractile Vacuoles Stores water and food, and when it is full, it moves to the cell membrane and empties itself. Plant Cell Vacuoles Collect water, minerals, and some chemical waste. These do not empty; they stay full and provide support for the plant. The pressure it is using against the cell wall is turgor pressure.

Lysosome The suicide sack. They are found in both plant and animal
cells. It is where digestion takes place.

Mitochondria It is the powerhouse of the cell. It provides the cell with

all its energy requirements. Found in both plant and animal cells.

Chloroplast Chloroplast makes the plant food through a process called

photosynthesis.

Cytoskeleton It is how animal cells are able to maintain their shape. It

is a supportive internal network of fine protein fibers.