CELL STRUCTURE

AND FUNCTION
Main Components of plant and animal cells
 CELLULAR LEVEL OF ORGANISATION
OF LIVING THINGS
• ATOM 🡪 MOLECULE🡪 ORGANELLE 🡪 CELL 🡪 TISSUE 🡪 ORGAN 🡪
SYSTEM 🡪 ORGANISM 🡪 POPULATION 🡪 COMMUNITY 🡪
ECOSYSTEM 🡪 BIOSPHERE
 Cell membrane
• Very thin and forms outer living layer of cell. Protects contents of cell
• Model used to describe its structure known as ‘Fluid Mosaic Model’
• Cell membrane consists of double layer of phospholipid molecules with large
protein molecules embedded in the layers
• Each phospholipid consists of a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty
tail.
• Impermeable to water soluble molecules and therefore controls the movement of
substances into and out of the cell
 Movement across membranes
• Diffusion
• Movement of molecules (liquid or gas) from an area of high concentration to an
area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.
• Movement of molecules down a concentration gradient known as passive
transport.
• Osmosis
• Movement of water molecules from an area of high water potential to an area of
low water potential through a selectively permeable membrane until equilibrium is
reached.
• Active Transport
• When molecules move from a low to a high concentration through
membranes.
• Therefore against the concentration gradient and energy is needed.
 Cytoplasm
• Site of all metabolic processes responsible for survival of the cell
• Cyclosis is the movement of substances around the cytoplasm
• Stores essential substances and helps to maintain shape of cell
Nucleus
• Double nuclear membrane with small nuclear pores encloses nucleus
• Filled with nucleoplasm
• Nucleolus consists of RNA and proteins
• Chromatin network or DNA control all activities of the cell.
• Chromosomes carry hereditary characteristics from cell to cell and next
generation
 ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
• Fine membranous network forming a continuous system of canals
throughout the cytoplasm.
• Connected to the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane.
• Rough ER has ribosomes on surface
• Smooth ER has no ribosomes attached to it.
• Transports substances from one part of the cytoplasm to another.
• Increases the internal surface area of the cell
Mitochondria
• Double membrane with the inner one folded into folds known as cristae.
• Matrix contains ribosomes, enzymes and DNA.
• Responsible for cellular respiration – release of energy from carbohydrates.
• Released energy part of ATP which is the energy carrier in cells
 RIBOSOMES
• Small spherical structures.
• Consist of RNA and proteins
• Occur in the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) mitochondria, chloroplasts and
cytoplasm.
• Site where protein synthesis takes place.
 GOLGI BODY
• Stacks of flat hollow membranes.
• Plays a role in producing and processing secretions eg mucus and saliva
• Prepares proteins for transport to other parts of the cell.
 CENTROSOMES
• Found near the nucleus of an animal cell.
• Contains centrioles which play a role in the formation of spindle fibres
during Mitosis.
 VACUOLES
• Fluid filled compartment in the cytoplasm enclosed by a membrane called
the tonoplast.
• Fluid called cell sap and consists of water and dissolved substances.
• In plants, vacuoles large and prominent
• In animals vacuoles small or completely absent.
• Cell sap causes a pressure which adds to rigidity of the cell called turgor
pressure.
 VESSICLES
• Small vacuoles which transport substances from Golgi body to other parts of
the cell
• Lysosomes only occur in animal cells and contain digestive enzymes
 CELL WALL
• Only non living part of a cell and occurs only in plants
• Consists of three parts

• 1. Primary cell wall

• Thin and occurs on outside of cell membrane
• Consists of cellulose fibres and pits which contain cytoplasmic threads
(plasmodesmata) that extend through the walls to adjacent cells.
• Facilitates transport between cells
• 2. Middle Lamella
• Consists of pectin
• Connects adjacent plant cells

• 3. Secondary cell wall

• Found in older plants between cell membranes and primary cell wall
• Consists of cellulose and lignin
• Functions
• Support and rigidity structure
• Protection
 PLASTIDS
• Occur only in plant cells

• Chloroplasts
• Occur in photosynthesising parts of the plant and responsible for the build up of
energy rich glucose in the chlorophyll.

• Chromoplasts
• Contain pigment carotenoids and occur in red, yellow and orange flowers.
• Leucoplasts
• Colourless and mainly store food in an insoluble form.
Diagram of a chloroplast
 Differences between plant and animal cells
PLANT ANIMAL
Cell wall present No cell wall
Plastids present No plastids
Large vacuole present Vacuole small or absent
No lysosomes or centrosomes Lysosomes and centrosomes present
Fixed shape Irregular shape
 LIGHT MICROSCOPE
• All living organisms consists of cells
• The cell is the basic and smallest unit of life
• All cells originate from existing cells
 Preparation of a wet mount
• Clean slide with alcohol and cotton wool
• Place a drop of Iodine in the centre of slide
• Place thin membrane from onion in middle of Iodine
• Place a cover slip over the mount
• Examine your wet mount under the microscope.
• Draw your results