ACES TAGUM

COLLEGE
Pioneer Avenue, Mankilam
Tagum City, 8100, Philippines

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

First Semester S.Y. 2022-2023

MODULE 1
General Biology 1

Name: _______________________________ Date :__________

Grade/Section: ________________________ Week : 1
Track/Strand: _________________________

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Lesson 1
 CELL THEORY

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

The scientific knowledge of humans about cells made a giant leap when the microscope
was invented. This tool enables scientists to further study the various structural and functional
features of cells. Furthermore, this tool also allowed different scientists to propose theories that
elaborate on the characteristics of cells. How do cells work inside our bodies? How can one
distinguish living organisms from nonliving entities?
It only takes one biological cell to create an organism. In fact, there are countless species
of single-celled organisms, and indeed multi-cellular organisms like ourselves.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO LEARN?

CONTENT The learners demonstrate understanding of the:
STANDARD: 1. Cell Theory; Cell Structure and functions of the cell and its principles.

PERFORMANCE The learners should be able to:

STANDARD: 1. Construct a 3D model of a plant/animal/ bacterial cell using recyclable
material
LEARNING  Explain the postulates of the cell theory.
COMPETENCIES:  Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles.

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
o Describe the general features of the cell.
o Create a timeline of the discovery of the cell.
o Identify the three proponents of the cell theory.
o Analyse the three principles of cell theory.

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY

1. Why cell is important in our life?

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2. Why do we need cells?

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WHAT IS CELL?
 In biology, a cell is the structural, functional, and biological unit of all organisms. It is an
autonomous self-replicating unit that may exist as a functional independent unit of life (as in the
case of a unicellular organism), or as a sub-unit in a multicellular organism (such as
in plants and animals) that performs a particular function in tissues and organs. This unit covers
the structure and functions of a cell and its principles.
Before, most biologists believe that life may spontaneously arise from any inanimate
matter. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, was one of the earliest recorded scholars to propose the
spontaneous generation theory. This theory persisted in the 17th century, until Francesco
Redi, an Italian scientist, disproved it by performing an experiment that refutes the idea that
maggots arise spontaneously from meat. It was followed by different scientists who also
conducted their own experiments to disprove this theory. Louis Pasteur, a French chemist,
disproved this theory conclusively with his famous swan-necked flask experiment. He
proposed that life can only come from preexisting life forms.
All living organisms, especially plants and animals, are composed of at least one cell.
Most cells are not just visible to our naked eye, thus microscopes are deemed important to
study them. Robert Hooke, a British scientist, was the first to use a simple microscope to
examine a thin slice of oak tree bark called cork. He observed blocks of tiny packets that make
up the cork and called them cells. Today, we studied that the cell is the smallest structure that
can perform all activities required to sustain life. It carries out important functions such as
metabolism, homeostasis, and reproduction.
Size of the Cell Cells are generally small. Although they are found at the lower level in
the hierarchy of the biological organization, life already exists in them. Most cells are far
smaller than 1 mm, and some are even as small as 1 µm.

The diversity of cell sizes

ranges from the smallest
bacterial cell to the largest
avian egg. Note that there are
some cells that can be seen with
a human's naked eye.

The small size of cells

provides them with a
relatively higher ratio of
surface area to volume. A
living entity may maintain the
same total volume, but having
small cells will allow it to
have a greater surface area
available for the movement of
molecules

A comparison of the surface area to volume ratio of a small box (one-unit dimension)
and a big box (five-unit dimension). The larger box is shown to have a smaller surface area to
 volume ratio compared with the smaller one. Despite its relatively larger volume, the bigger
box would be deemed inefficient in terms of the movement of molecules because of the
consequent decrease in the surface area. By contrast, the formation of smaller unit boxes from
the same large box will maintain volume but significantly increase the total surface area. It
should also be emphasized that an organism can still increase its total volume (as shown
during growth and development) while maintaining a smaller cell size along the process.
In multicellular organisms, cells are more specialized—they are committed to
performing particular functions that contribute to the overall maintenance of the interacting
systems in these organisms.

Cells may devote themselves to specialized functions that will contribute to the survival
of the organism.

Regulation of the Internal Environment

An organism’s ability to keep a constant internal state is called homeostasis.
Homeostasis involves constant adjustments as the internal and external conditions of the cell
continuously change.
Acquisition and Utilization of Energy
Cells acquire energy from the nutrients in food that organisms consume. This chemical
energy is stored in the bonds present in food molecules, and it will be converted by the cells into
more usable forms. Energy is needed by cells to drive most of the chemical reactions and other
functions in the organism’s body.
Responsiveness to Their Environment
The cell’s environment changes constantly and rapidly. To survive, cells also respond to
various signals that indicate any form of change in their environment. These changes may
include the shift in the activities of enzymatic molecules, chemicals that pass through the cell
membrane, and signals to various membrane-transport processes. Responsiveness is related to
homeostasis. A cell must first be able to determine the changes that have taken place before
deciding the necessary responses that will ultimately result in the maintenance of normal internal
conditions.
Protection and Support
Cells protect and support their internal environment through their cellular membranes.
The chemicals outside the cells could affect or influence normal cellular processes. Cells may
form linings of organs to serve as the first line of defense from the external environment. In
addition, some specialized cells, particularly immune cells in complex multicellular animals,
also impart protection against pathogens and other foreign bodies that may enter the general
circulation.

TIMELINE OF THE HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

CELL THEORY
Scientists who contributed to the development of cell theory
SCIENTIST COCCONTRIBUTION
The discovery of the cell as the
Zacharias basic unit of life involves
Janssen different scientists. Hans Janssen
(1585– and his son, Zacharias Janssen,
1632) invented the first primitive
invented the microscope which was used to
first view microscopic cells.
primitive
microscope.
Robert Hooke was the first to
Robert Hooke observe the cells by using cork
(1635–1703) from the bark of an oak tree
observed cork under the microscope.
cells
under a
microscope.

The experiment of Francesco

Francesco Redi Redi during his time disproved
(1626–1697) the long-believed theory of
Disproved the spontaneous generation, which
spontaneous states that life comes from
generation inanimate objects.
theory.

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek was

Anton van the first to see and describe
Leeuwenhoek microorganisms from a drop of
(1632–1723) water by using his self-made
observed practical microscope.
microorganisms
by using his own
practical
microscope.

Matthias Matthias Schleiden is one of the

Schleiden proponents of cell theory who
(1804–1881) stated that plants are made up of
proposed that cells and that the cell is the basic
all plants are unit of life.
composed of
cells.

Theodor Schwann is also a

Theodor Schwann proponent of cell theory who
(1810–1882) stated that all organisms are
proposed that all made up of cells
animals are
composed of cells.

Rudolf Virchow another

Rudolf Virchow proponent of the cell theory who
(1821–1902) stated that cells come from
proposed that all preexisting cells. Through
cells come from successive cell division, many
pre-existing cells. cells can be produced from a
single cell.
Principles of Cell Theory
During the 19th century, microscopes continued to improve helping scientists to observe
the details of the nucleus and other subcellular structures.

The principles of cell theory

Principles of the Cell Theory Proponent

1. Every living organism consists of one or more cells. Theodor Schwann
2. The cell is the fundamental unit of life. It is the smallest structural Matthias Schleiden
and functional unit of all organisms.
3. Cells come from preexisting cells. Cells contain hereditary material, Rudolf Virchow
which they pass to their offspring when they divide.

Principle 1: Every living organism consists of one or more cells. Organism may be unicellular
(left) or multicellular (right) based on their level of complexity.

Principle 2: The cell is the fundamental unit of life. It is the smallest structural and functional
unit in all organisms.

Principle 3: Cells come from pre-existing cells. Cells contain hereditary material, which they
pass to their daughter cells when they divide.

The Cell as a Common Feature among All Organisms

Unicellular organisms consist of only one cell but are already considered living
organisms. Examples include bacteria, most protists, and yeasts. These unicellular organisms
can function and regulate independently as living organisms.
Living organisms are divided into six kingdoms (but other classification systems can
range from five to eight kingdoms). Kingdom Archaea consists of the archaebacteria. These
prokaryotic cells thrive in extreme environments such as sulfuric lakes and hydrothermal vents.
Bacterial species that usually cause diseases to humans belong to the Kingdom Eubacteria.
Although not all bacteria are harmful, the kingdom Eubacteria also consists of good or
nonpathogenic bacteria. Kingdom Protista consists of unicellular organisms that are animal-
like, plant-like, and fungus-like. These organisms do not have the characteristics of true animals,
true plants, or true fungi. Kingdom Fungi consists of organisms such as mushrooms, molds, and
mildews. Some mushrooms are harmful, but some are edible. Kingdom Plantae consists of
plants, and Kingdom Animalia consists of animals, the members of which include complex
multicellular organisms.
The Cell as the Fundamental Unit of Life
In the hierarchy of biological organization, the cell is the basic level that exhibits all the
important attributes of life. These attributes include metabolism, responsiveness, reproduction,
energy processing, and homeostasis. It is at the level of the cell that important biochemical
reactions take place to keep living organisms alive.

Cell Structure and Functions

Cell membrane/Plasma membrane consist
of double layer of fats or lipids,
semipermeable membrane that separates the
contents of the cell from the external
environment, regulates the entrance and exit
of materials. It is the boundary of the cell.
Cytoplasm is the liquid substance of the cell
which needs to sustain its life activities.
Nucleus controls the cell, coordinates all
activities of the cell, contain nucleolous,
nuclear pore, and nuclear membrane. It also
contains chromosomes that have the
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) making up genes which are bearers of hereditary traits.
Organelles
Mitochondria are energy generators, the powerhouse of the cell, and the site for cellular
respiration. They contain cristae (folds) that provides surface area for greater cellular respiratory
productivity. Matrix (semi-fluid) contains enzymes that break down carbohydrate. It has inner
and outer membrane.
Ribosome is a protein factory and the site for protein synthesis.
Endoplasmic Reticulum serves as the channel for protein production and transport lipids and
membrane protein. The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) with ribosome (SER) Smooth
Endoplasmic Reticulum no ribosome is the site for fat metabolism and forms vesicle for
transporting large molecules to other parts.
Golgi apparatus is used to modify, pack, sort out secretory material.
Lysosome breaks down the substance and it contains enzymes that can be used to degrade
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Peroxisome detoxifies harmful compounds to metabolize fats or lipids, such as liver cells.
Centrioles bring movement of chromosomes during cell division.
Vacuoles are storage of water and food.
Cytoskeleton
It is used for strength and mobility, structural support, and provides shape of the cell. It is also
involve in cellular division.
 1. Microtubules
2. Intermediate filament
3. Microfilament

Assessment
I. Multiple Choice
1) Which of the following is NOT a premise of cell theory?
I. All cells arise from other cells.
II. All living cells require water for survival.
III. All living things are only composed of cells.
a. I only b. II only c. I and II d. II and III

2) Who was the first person to see cells under the microscope and give them a name?

a) Anton van Leeuwenhoek

b) Robert Hooke
c) Theodor Schwann
d) Matthias Schleiden

3) He discovered that all plants were made of cells, which contributed to the development of
the cell theory:

a) Anton van Leeuwenhoek

b) Robert Hooke
c) Theodor Schwann
d) Matthias Schleiden

4) The cell theory states that the cell is the most basic unit of life, all organisms are made of
cells, and all cells come from cells. What makes the cell theory a scientific theory?

a) It based on a scientific publication that is read by scientist worldwide.

b) It is based on the work of many scientists and leads to accurate predictions.
c) It is based on ideas that have been proven true and are not subject to revision.
d) It based on preliminary evidence but still needs to be confirmed with experiments.

5) What are subcellular compartments?

I. Mitochondria
II. Nucleus
III. Endoplasmic reticulum
IV. Ribosome
V. Golgi Apparatus
a. I and II b. I, III and V c. II, IV and V d. I,II,III,IV and V
II. Essay
Give a short essay, why do we need to learn cell theory?
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TEACHER’S FEEDBACK

REFERENCES

https://mediacdn.quipper.com/media/
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MV8xMiUy MFExJTIwMDEwMSUyMEZELnBkZiJdXQ. pdf?
sha=a93a6e22876ec5d4
https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/cell
Jabilles, Angelo B.,Illahi, M., Tormes, J. Biological Science A Simplified Approach. Books
Atbp.
Publishing Corp., 2015