LEVY MWANAWASA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF BASIC AND BIOMEDICAL SCINCES

SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCE

BIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

NAME: DAINA NSWANA

STUDENT NUMBER: 210400289

PROGRAMME OF STUDY: BSc PHYSIOTHERAPY (GROUP C)

INTAKE: YEAR ONE (TERM ONE)

LECTURER: MRS MUSONDA

INTRODUCTION

The paragraphs below are going to explain the three fundamental parts of a eukaryotic cell which
is the nucleus (the membrane delimited internal region that contains the genetic material), the
mitochondria (double membrane-bound organelle known as the power house which was first
described in 1890 by Richard Altmann calling them bioblasts. Blenda who later in 1897 coined
the term mitochondria), cytoplasm (the interior portion filled with cytosol which is the aqueous
fluid inside the cell and was first discovered in the year 1835 by Robert Brown), their functions,
importance and structures. Also an explanation of the endosymbiont theory and the evidence
supporting the theory.
CELL THEORY

The cell theory was first formulated in 1938-1939 by scientists Schleiden and Schwann. Their
theory however, did not explain as to how new cells were formed until Rudolf Virchow who in
1855 first explained to say cells are divided and new cells are formed from the pre-existing cells
(omnis cellula-e cellula). He later modified Schwann and Schleiden’s hypothesis and gave the
cell a final shape.

But, this was not obvious until Robert Hooke who in 1965 invented a compound light
microscope that until today enables little structures that cannot be seen by the naked eye to
actually be seen. The first structure he ever examined was a cork (bark of an outer part of a tree)
that to him looked like little cubes and Hooke called them cells. He later concluded to say,
virtually, all living organisms are made up of cells and all cells have something in common.

3 FUNDAMENTAL PARTS OF A EUKARYOTIC CELL

The nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle that contains the genetic material and other
instructions required for cellular processes like growth. Most types of cells that exist is
categorized on the basis of the absence or presence of the nucleus within its cell. The structure of
a nucleus is enlarged by a structure referred to as a nuclear envelope. The membrane
distinguishes the cytoplasm from the content of the nucleus whose cell’s chromosomes are also
confined within it. It contains the cells hereditary information and controls the cell’s
reproduction. The nucleus is also known as a site of transcription implying that it creates
different types of RNA and DNA.

The mitochondria are defined as oxygen consuming cellular organelles making them of such
great importance. They are also known as “power houses” as they supply all the necessary
biological energy to the cell by oxidizing the substrates available. Abundantly found on the sites
where energy is most required like the sperm tail, muscle cell, mitochondria organelles are
enclosed by two membranes rich in protein. Mitochondria also plays an important role in the
prevention of apoptosis which is defined as cell death and could prevent certain organs from
performing their functions.

The cytoplasm is defined as the substance of life as it serves as a molecular fluid and it is in it
where all the cellular organelles are suspended and are bound together by a lipid bilayer
membrane. The cytoplasm consists of the cytosol, dissolved nutrients and also dissolved waste
products. It helps in the movement of the cellular materials around the cell through a process
called cytoplasmic streaming. Because of its composition of salt, the cytoplasm is known to be a
good conductor of electricity and also creates order within the cell with specific locations for
different organelles.
ENDOSYMBIONT THEORY

The mitochondria, chloroplast and bacteria are said to be self replicated as they all contain
circular DNA and similar ribosomes. It is because of this that the endosymbiont theory was
discovered. The endosymbiont theory states that some of the organelles in todays eukaryotic
cells were once prokaryotic microbes as it is believed that mitochondria and chloroplast evolved
from bacteria perhaps an amoeba-like cell that got nutrients by phagocytosis and contained a
nucleus that formed when a piece of the cytoplasmic membrane pinched off around the
chromosomes causing the amoeba-like organisms to ingest prokaryotic cells that then survived
within the organisms and developed a symbiotic relationship. The host cell could then provide
shelter, some protection against predators and raw materials for its smaller partners but they
eventually lost their cell wall and much of their DNA because they were not benefit within the
host cell. Hence, mitochondria and chloroplast cannot grow outside their host cell.

EVIDENCE

Evidence supporting the theory is based on facts that chloroplasts are the same size as
prokaryotic cells, divided by binary fission. The mitochondria, just as the chloroplasts, are the
same size as the prokaryotic cells, divided by binary fission and some protists have homologs at
their division plane. The two both have their own DNA that is circular and not linear and have
their own ribosomes.
REFERENCES

Advanced biology page 47 and 53

Verma, P.S., and Agrawal, V.K. (2006). Biology, Genetics, Molecular biology, Evolution and
Ecology (led). S. Chand and company ltd.

Alberts, B. (2004). Essential cell biology. New York, NY: Gerland science pub

WWW.Vendatu.com

https://microbenotes.com

https://bio.libretexts.org/bookshelves

Koolman, J., k. –H (2005). Color atlas of biochemistry Stuttgart: Thieme.

https://byjus.com/biology

WWW.thefreedictionary.com