Cells as the

BASIC UNIT
OF LIFE

Introduction
The activities and abnormalities of cells underlie inherited traits, quirks, and illnesses. Understanding cell
function reveals how healthy the body works.
Essential Questions:
 Why is cell recognized as the most fundamental unit of life?
 What are the various key events which occur in every stage of cell cycle, including Interphase and M-
phase?
 What can be observed from chromosomes during the process of cell division?
Intended Learning Outcomes
 recall cell as the most basic unit of life;
 elaborate the significance of the cellular structures in the proper functioning of the cell;
 describe the major key events which occur in Interphase, specifically: (1) Gap 1 phase; (2) Synthesis
phase; and (3) Gap 2 phase and M-phase; and
 recognize the four stages which occur during mitosis and the remarkable events that occur during those
stages
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Cells as the Basic Unit of Life

Pre-test
Directions: Label the parts of the animal cell accordingly. Write your answers on the space provided.

Cells as the Basic Unit of Life

Cell
 derived from the Latin term, “cella”, which means small room
 simply dubbed as the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms
 a membrane-bound unit that contains fundamental molecules of life and of which all living things are
composed
 the human body is composed of trillions of cells which work interdependently with other specialized and
differentiated cells and become the building blocks of larger multicellular organisms, such as plants, animals,
and humans
 cells carry out specialized functions, such as:
a. provide structure and support for the body
b. facilitate repair and growth through mitosis
c. allow transport of molecules from one cell to another
d. convert nutrients into energy
e. create metabolic reactions
f. carry genetic material and aid in reproduction
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Onion Skin Plant Cell Human Skin

Onion Skin Onion Skin

History of the Cell

 in 1665, the English scientist Robert Hooke used a compound microscope to examine thin slices of cork
 he observed that the cork is composed of tiny, hollow, room-like structures
 the compartments reminded him of the small rooms monks used to live in, so he called them cells
 was only able to inspect the cell wall because the cork cells which were his specimen were dead

Robert Hooke
Onion Skin

Image Ref: https://biologydictionary.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hooke-Microscope-cork.jpg

Cell Theory
 formulated in 1839; usually credited to Matthias Schleiden (examined plant cells), Theodore Schwann
(examined animal cells), and Rudolf Virchow
 one of the basic principles in Biology, composed of three statements:
a. all living organisms are composed of one or more cells;
b. cells are the basic unit of life; and
c. cells came from pre-existing cells
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Cellular Structures

Image Ref: https://www.genome.gov/sites/default/files/tg/en/illustration/cytoplasm.jpg

a. Plasma Membrane
 also called as cell membrane
 characterized as a semi-permeable membrane, which allows it to be permeable only to certain small
molecules
 performs specialized functions, such as: (1) separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment;
(2) transports nutrients to the cell and toxic substances or waste materials out of the cell; (3) facilitates what
goes in and out of the cell; and (4) provides structural support to the cell
 in 1972, the Fluid Mosaic Model of membrane structure was proposed, which posits that the plasma
membrane is made up of “mosaic” components such as phospholipids, cholesterols, proteins, and
carbohydrates, and these structures give the plasma membrane a fluid character
 the fundamental structure of the plasma membrane is known as the phospholipid bilayer
o phospholipid bilayer – composed of two layers of phospholipids: a hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail,
and a hydrophilic (water-loving) head
https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/qsxLhVIKyCMlvbcf0ID4pxSZEdY=/
1500x1000/filters:fill(auto,1)/cell-membrane-373364_final-
5b5f300546e0fb008271ce52.png
Image Ref:
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b. Cytoplasm
 also referred to as the cell matrix
 a high viscous, jelly-like fluid which fills every cell and is enclosed by the plasma membrane
 mainly composed of water, salts, proteins, and nucleic acids
 cytosol – intracellular fluid; it is the aqueous component of the cytoplasm of a cell, within which various
organelles and particles are suspended

c. Nucleus
 acknowledged as the “control center” or the “brain” of the cell
 a highly specialized, membrane-bound organelle which carries the genetic material (DNA) in eukaryotic
organisms
 responsible of coordinating and administering various cellular activities which includes growth,
metabolism, protein synthesis, and cell division
 components of the nucleus:
a. nucleolus – membrane-less organelle within the nucleus which is responsible for the manufacture of
ribosomes, the cell’s protein-producing structures
b. nuclear envelope – a double-layered membrane that encloses the contents of the nucleus during most
of a cell’s life cycle; has a protein lining called the nuclear lamina, which binds to the chromatin and
other nuclear components
c. nuclear pores – distributed across the surface of the nuclear membrane, these pores regulate the
passage of molecules from the nucleus to the cytoplasm

d. Cell Wall
 found exclusively on plant cells and other organisms, it is a structural layer located just outside the
plasma membrane
 an outer layer which is tough, flexible, and rigid
 contains cellulose, a specialized polysaccharide consisting of more than 3,000 glucose units which helps the
plants to be stiff and upright
 provides structural framework to support plant growth and acts as a primary line of defense

Image Ref: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/nucleus/ Image Ref: https://www.assignmentpoint.com/wpcontent/uploads/

images/nucleusfigure1.jpg 2017/05/Cell-Wall.jpg
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Cellular Organelles

Organelle Definition and Function

Mitochondria  nicknamed as the “powerhouse of the cell”, it

is a membrane-bound organelle that generates most
of the chemical energy required by the cell to perform
its biochemical reactions
 responsible for the conversion of Oxygen and nutrients
into ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) which is the
energy currency of the cell
 site of cellular respiration
 contains a small amount of genetic information
inherited from only the mother

Endoplasmic Reticulum  a continuous membrane system that creates

an order of flattened sacs which plays a vital role in
synthesis, modification, and transport of proteins
 Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
o presence of ribosomes
o folding and modifying of proteins
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
o absence of ribosomes
o site of lipid synthesis

Ribosomes
 a small particle which can be found floating free or
attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum
 site of protein synthesis
 link amino acids depending on the sequence specified
by the codons located in messenger RNA, in order to
form polypeptide chains

Golgi Apparatus  also known as the Golgi Body, the Golgi

Network, or the Golgi Complex
 a complex of vesicles and folded membranes which is
heavily involved in secretion and intracellular
transport
 responsible for storing, modifying, packaging,
and transporting lipids, proteins, and other
materials within the cells
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Organelle Definition and Function

Lysosomes
 recognized as the “suicide bags of the cell”
 contains digestive, hydrolytic enzymes which
may be utilized in destroying harmful microorganisms
such as viruses and bacteria
 also responsible in digestion of other macromolecules
and old cell parts

Vacuole
 serves as the storage unit of the cell
 found in both animal and plant cells, although
larger in size in plant cells, occupying up to
80% of the space
 stores food, nutrients, water, or any other molecule
that a cell might need to survive

Cilia and Flagella  for cell movement

 Cilia
o a slender protuberance, hair-like structure
projecting from a cell body which may be motile
and sensory
 Flagella
o whip-like appendage which protrudes from the
cell body; functions primarily for locomotion

Levels of Organization
Living organisms are highly organized and structured; following a hierarchy that can be examined on a
scale from the smallest to the largest unit.
https://cdn.britannica.com/61/192861-
004-528CC702.jpg
Image Ref:
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Cell Cycle
 ordered series of events involving cell growth and cell division that produces two new daughter cells
 divided into two major phases: (1) Interphase; and (2) M-phase
o Interphase – includes three stages: G1, S, and G2
o M-phase – includes Mitosis and Cytokinesis

Image Ref: https://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/vgec/diagrams/22-Cell-cycle.gif

Interphase
 during interphase, the cell undergoes normal growth processes while also preparing for cell division
 for a cell to move from interphase into the mitotic phase, many internal and external conditions must be met
 recognized as the longest stage in the eukaryotic cell cycle
 composed of three stages:
a. G1 Phase (Gap 1)
o cell is accumulating the building blocks of chromosomal DNA and the associated proteins, as well as
gathering sufficient energy reserves for the completion of task in the next stage
o cellular contents are duplicated; growth of the cell
b. S Phase (Synthesis)
o characterized by the occurrence of DNA Replication
o the genetic material is doubled before the cell enters the actual cell division, allowing there to be
enough DNA to be split into daughter cells
c. G2 Phase (Gap 2)
o the cell replenishes its energy, and some of the organelles are duplicated
o preparation for the actual cell division
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Exercise
Directions: Label the parts of the Cell Cycle accordingly. Write your answer on the space provided below.

Cell Division
Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. Cell division usually occurs as
part of a larger cell cycle, and has two types: Mitosis and Meiosis.

Mitosis
 a type of cell division which occurs on body cells or somatic cells
 results in identical daughter cells
 functions for growth, development, and repair of the body
o ex: lengthening of hair and nails, healing of wounds, spread of cancer cells
 consists of only one cycle and four stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase (PMAT)

Mitotic Stages Characteristics

Prophase

 chromatins condense into chromosomes and become

visible
 the nuclear membrane or nuclear envelope
disintegrates
 centrioles duplicate and start producing spindle fibers
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Mitotic Stages Characteristics

Metaphase

 spindle fibers attach to the centromeres of the

chromosomes
 alignment of chromosomes at the middle of the cell

Anaphase

 spindle fibers start to shorten

 separation of chromosomes to chromatids, moving to
the opposite poles of the cell

Telophase
 chromatids reach the opposite poles of the cell and
become chromatins
 nuclear membrane reintegrates
 formation of the cleavage furrow

Cytokinesis

 derived from the Greek words: “cyto”, which means

cell; and “kinesis”, which means motion,
cytokinesis can be directly translated as cell movement
 the physical process of cell division, which divides the
cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells
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Meiosis
 a type of cell division which occurs on sex cells or gametes (sperm cells in males, egg cells in females)
 results in genetically unique daughter cells
 functions primarily for reproduction
 consists of only two cycles and eight stages: Prophase I and II, Metaphase I and II, Anaphase I and II, and
Telophase I and II (PMAT I and PMAT II)

a. Meiosis I

Prophase I Metaphase I Anaphase I Telophase I

 disintegration of the  spindle fibers attach to  the homologous  chromosomes reach

nuclear membrane the center of chromosomes are the opposite poles of
 centrioles duplicate homologous pulled apart and the cell
and start to produce chromosomes move apart to  the nuclear
spindle fibers  homologous opposite ends of the membrane
 synapsis: pairing chromosomes align at cell reintegrates
of homologous the center of the cell  formation of the
chromosomes cleavage furrow
 crossing-over:  pre-Cytokinesis
exchange of genetic
material between
homologous
chromosomes

b. Meiosis II
 cells transition from Meiosis I to Meiosis II without DNA Replication, and is considered as a shorter and
simpler process then Meiosis I
 Meiosis II is dubbed as mitosis for haploid cells, because it follows the same key events featured
in Mitosis
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References
 Lewis, R. (2008). Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications, Seventh Edition. McGraw-Hill International Edition. McGraw-
Hill Higher Education. United States.
 Online Links:
o https://www.britannica.com/science/cell-biology
o https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/cell
o https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/what-is-a-cell-14023083/
o https://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/vgec/highereducation/topics/cellcycle-mitosis-meiosis
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microscope-purple.jpg
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Jan_Baptist_van_Helmont_portrait.jpg
o https://biologydictionary.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Hooke-Microscope-cork.jpg
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373364_final-5b5f300546e0fb008271ce52.png
o https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ZjYy2tBRVF5nKLDw_e5CqnaE8dc=/1500x844/smart/filters:no_upscale()/cell-membrane-
373364_final-5b5f300546e0fb008271ce52.png
o https://www.assignmentpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Cell-Wall.jpg
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o https://www.genome.gov/sites/default/files/tg/en/illustration/ribosome.jpg
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