Human Body1:

The Living Cell

Stage 1 Biology
Adelaide High School

STAGE 1 BIOLOGY

ADELAIDE HIGH SCHOOL

 In this powerpoint:

• Review the characteristics of living organisms

• Review cell theory

• Look at multicellular and unicellular organisms

• Identify the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

• Review cell organelles and functions

 Are you alive?

What does it mean to be living?

How can we classify something as living?

In groups, brainstorm and come up

with a list of what you think makes
something “living”

Hint: think about things that are NOT alive

 Characteristics of living organisms

Living ‘things’ are known as organisms. Organisms are biotic.

Organisms have seven key characteristics:

Movement, Reproduction, reaction to Stimuli, Growth,

Respiration, Excretion and Nutrients

MRS GREN
Movement

Must be of the
organism’s own free
will.
 Reproduction

Ability to pass on genetic information by producing new

individuals.

Binary fission, mitosis, meiosis, asexual and sexual

reproduction.
 Response to Stimuli

Ability to sense their environment and react to it

Growth

(the process of increasing in size)

 Respiration

Ability to produce or convert energy.

 Excretion

The need to remove waste.

 Nutrients

The need to eat (generally for respiration/ energy).

 Everything is made up of cells

While we can identify living organisms by these characteristics,

we also know they are all made up of cells.

Cell theory:
1. Cells are the basic unit of life
2. Cells arise from pre-existing cells
3. Cells have a specific structure to suit their function
 Cells

Organisms can exist as unicellular organisms

These organisms are made up of only one cell

These organisms are also known as microorganisms.

Include bacteria, protists, fungi and certain types of

phytoplankton
 Cells

Organisms with more than one cell are multicellular

While we are more ‘familiar’ with multicellular organisms, there

are far more individual unicellular organisms than individual
multicellular organisms.
 Cells - discuss

What are the advantages/ disadvantages to being unicellular?

What are the advantages/ disadvantages to being multicellular?

 Unicellular

Advantages:
• Can reproduce quickly
• Reproduction is less costly
• Don’t need a mate for reproduction
Disadvantages:
• Shorter life span
• Don’t grow very large
• Need a nutrient rich environment
• (don’t need a mate for reproduction)
 Multicellular
Advantages:
• greater genetic diversity
• Can grow large
• Live longer
• Can live in wider variety of environments
• Work more efficiently due to specialised cells

Disadvantages:
• More nutrients needed
• Reproduction takes longer
• If an organ fails the whole organism is affected
 Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes

Cells can also be classified as prokaryotic or

eukaryotic.

This is not the same as multi- and unicellular.

The terms are somewhat linked, but not
completely.
 Prokaryotes

Prokaryotes are those cells without membrane bound organelles.

Therefore, they lack:
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Chloroplast, etc.

Small, simple cells

Historically the ‘older’ type of cell.

 Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes are those cells who have membrane bound organelles

More complex and larger

‘Modern’

Includes animal, plant, fungal and protist cells

What did the eukaryotic cell
say to the prokaryotic cell?
Ya basic!
 Animal Cells

Animal cells contain most organelles that plant cells have including:

• Nucleus
• Endoplasmic Reticula
• Cell membrane
• Mitochondria
• Golgi body
• Lysosomes/ vacuoles
• Ribosomes
 Plant Cells

Plant cells contain most organelles that animal cells have with the
addition of:

• A large, central vacuole

• Chloroplast

• Cell wall
 Cell Membrane

Organelles Controls the passage

of substances in and
out of the cell

Cytoplasm
Jelly-like fluid containing all
the organelles

Nucleus
Contains genetic material (DNA) that
controls the functions of the cell
Organelles

Mitochondria
Produces energy by a process called respiration
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)
 Cell Wall

Organelles Plants do not have a skeleton like you, so they need

something else to keep them upright and to keep
their shape. This is the function of the cell wall,
which lies outside the cell membrane.

Cell Membrane

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Cytoplasm
 Vacuole
Organelles It is filled with sap and stores water, wastes and
nutrients. When it is full the vacuole pushes
against the cell wall and helps to keep the plant
rigid.
 Chloroplast
Organelles Produce energy by a process called photosynthesis
Sunlight Energy + Water + Carbon dioxide
→
Oxygen + Glucose
Organelles Golgi body
In charge of transport of substances through
out the cell. Found in both animal and plant
cells.
Organelles Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
Made up of smooth and rough ER, in charge
of making proteins and lipids
 Organelles

Lysosome
Exists in the cytoplasm, contains enzymes
within its membrane that degrade
substances.
 Research Activity – Am I alive?
In pairs – you will be given a unique organism.
Find the following information:
• What is the organism and where is it found (basic details only)
• Is it multi or unicellular
• Is it a prokaryote or eukaryote
• Why can it be classified as “LIVING”
• Include a picture
• Put what you find onto the padlet post

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150730-ten-bacteria-with-superpowers