Cells As The Basis Of Life

1.1: Introduction To The Cell

12BIO
This lesson covers

- The cell theory unifies all living things

- The cell membrane separates the cell cytoplasm from its

surroundings and controls the exchange of materials, including
nutrients and wastes, between the cell and its environment.

- Describe and represent the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
The Cell Theory

The cell is the most basic unit of life.

What we know of the cell is bound by the cell theory.

The five postulates of the cell theory state:

● All known living things are made up of one or more cells

● All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division
● The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living
organisms
● Energy flow occurs within cells
● Cells contain DNA which is found in chromosomes
The cell theory unifies all living things.
The Cell Membrane

The cell membrane separates the

extracellular environment to the
internal environment within the cell.

The cell membrane is comprised of a

phospholipid bilayer where the
outside layers are hydrophilic
phosphate groups and the inside
layers are hydrophobic lipid strands.

The cell membrane separates the cell cytoplasm from its surroundings.
The Cell Membrane
The cell membrane has,
embedded within it, a multitude
of proteins that carry out a wide
range of functions.

● Transport & channel

proteins: Movement of
substances across the
membrane.
● Receptor proteins: Detects
and responds to stimuli

The cell membrane controls the exchange of materials, including nutrients and
wastes, between the cell and its environment.
The Fluid Mosaic Model
The fluid mosaic model
describes the structure and
function of the cell membrane.

● Fluid: Many moving parts

within the membrane.
● Mosaic: Complex array of
material within it.

Describe and represent the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
 Other parts to the membrane
Glycolipids: Phospholipids
with carbohydrate chains
Glycoproteins: attached
Proteins with
carbohydrate
chains attached

Cholesterol: Found
between
phospholipids in
animal cells

Describe and represent the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
Question 1

The cell is the most basic unit of life. Which of the

following statements about the cell is not true?
All known living things are made up of more than one cell.

Cells arise from pre-existing cells.

They are the fundamental structure and function of all living things.

Cells contain DNA.

Question 1

The cell is the most basic unit of life. Which of the

following statements about the cell is not true?
All known living things are made up of more than one cell.

Cells arise from pre-existing cells.

They are the fundamental structure and function of all living things.

Cells contain DNA.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes

the role of phospholipids in the entry and exit of
substances?
The type of phospholipid determines the type of membrane protein embedded.

It is semi-permeable, so only small, uncharged molecules can move through it.

They only contribute to the structure of the cell membrane.

They actively move all substances, regardless of size.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes

the role of phospholipids in the entry and exit of
substances?
The type of phospholipid determines the type of membrane protein embedded.

It is semi-permeable, so only small, uncharged molecules can move through it.

They only contribute to the structure of the cell membrane.

They actively move all substances, regardless of size.

Question 3

Which of the following combinations best

describes a cell membrane component and its
function?
Component Function
Channel Protein Detects the charge of a substance.

Cholesterol Increases fluidity of the cell membrane.

Receptor Protein Helps transport substances in and out of the cell.

Glycolipid Prevents the movement of water into the cell.

Question 3

Which of the following combinations best

describes a cell membrane component and its
function?
Component Function
Channel Protein Detects the charge of a substance.

Cholesterol Increases fluidity of the cell membrane.

Receptor Protein Helps transport substances in and out of the cell.

Glycolipid Prevents the movement of water into the cell.