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Notes 2.1 Cell Structure
Notes 2.1 Cell Structure
1 Cellular organization
State that living organisms are made of cells
All animals, plants, fungi, protists, & bacteria are made of one or more cells.
Most human cells, like most other animal cells, have the following parts:
nucleus
cytoplasm
cell membrane
mitochondria
ribosomes
cell wall
chloroplasts
permanent vacuole
Identify and describe the structure of a plant cell (palisade cell) and an animal cell (liver cell), as
seen under a light microscope.
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palisade cell liver cell
Within the midrib is a vascular bundle, composed of The protrusion at center is just over 50 microns tall.
xylem (red) and phloem (blue) cells, which transport
water and carbohydrates around the plant respectively.
Light micrographs Light micrograph of a transverse section through a holly leaf, Ilex sp. .
Below the epidermis (top layer of cells), are two layers of column-like
cells known as palisade cells. These contain large numbers of
chloroplasts and are the principal sites of photosynthesis. Magnification:
x240 at 35mm size.
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Tea leaf. Light micrograph of a cross-section
through a tea (Camellia sinensis) leaf. The
upper and lower epidermis on the surfaces of
the leaf are blue. Under the upper epidermis
Color enhanced freeze-fracture
are palisade cells (brown), which contain
Scanning Electron Micrograph
(SEM) of leaf of Lupinchloroplasts,
plant the site of photosynthesis.
Beneath
(Lupinus), showing vascular this a spongy mesophyll layer with
large spaces between the cells. At bottom
bundle, epidermis, palisade
left, a stoma (pore) is seen. Stomata allow
cells and spongy mesophyll.
Transverse section of upper part of leaf of a Magnification x540 gases and water to enter and leave the
Helleborus sp. showing epidermis and palisade plant. Magnification: x230 when printed 10
cells. centimeters wide.
Scanning Electron
Micrographs
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Scanning electron micrograph of cross
fracture of the leaf Zinnia elegans,
showing the upper epidermis and palisade
cells within which are stored the
chloroplast (photosynthesis). X 2100.
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*Make sure you can label diagrams of animal and plant cells.
Describe the differences in structure between typical animal and plant cells.
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Have a rigid cell wall that helps them keep Do not have a cell wall and therefore require either
their shape. external or internal support from some kind of skeleton.
Have a shape related to their function.
Plants manufacture their own food and use Animals must eat their food because they cannot
chloroplasts to do that. photosynthesize.
Relate the structures seen under the light microscope in the plant cell and in the animal cell to
their functions.
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Animal cells and plant cells have some organelles in common.
organelle function
nucleus contains genetic material, which controls the activities of the cell
cytoplasm most chemical processes take place here, controlled by enzymes
cell membrane controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell
mitochondria most energy is released by respiration here
ribosomes protein synthesis happens here
Plant cells also have a cell wall, and often have chloroplasts and a permanent vacuole.
organelle function
cell wall strengthens the cell
chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis
permanent vacuole filled with cell sap to help keep the cell turgid
Relate the structure of the following to their functions
Specialized cells:
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Cells may be specialized for a particular function. Their structure allows them to carry out this function .
Leaf cell
Absorbs water and mineral Long 'finger-like' process with very thin wall,
ions from the soil which gives a large surface area.
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Cell Function Adaption
Contain hemoglobin to carry Thin outer membrane to let oxygen diffuse
oxygen to the cells. through easily. Shape increases the surface
area to allow more oxygen to be absorbed
efficiently. No nucleus, so the whole cell is
Red blood cells full of hemoglobin.
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Practice:
1. using the images of the cells on pages 4 and 5 of these notes, calculate the actual size size of some
of the structures seen.
2. Search the internet for light and electron microscope images of various cells. If they have a scale
bar, print them and calculate the real size of the sample.
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tissue a structure made from large numbers of one type of cell
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