Introduction to 2D Biology

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Theory

1. All living things are made up of one or more

cells and their products
2. The cell is the simplest unit that can carry
out all life processes
3. All cells come from other cells; they do not
come from non-living matter
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells

PROKARYOTIC EUKARYOTIC

 Simplest organisms  More complex

 Often single-celled  Can be single-celled, but
 Made of archaea and often multi-celled
bacteria  Made up of protists, fungi,
 Lack nucleus and other animals, plants
membrane-bound  Complex internal structure;
organelles has nucleus and other
membrane-bound
organelles
 10-1000 x larger than pro.
cells
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells
Plant vs Animal Cell
Plant vs Animal Cell
Key Processes of Cells

 All cells must perform same basic activities to

stay alive
 Use energy
 Store materials
 Take materials from environment
 Get rid of wastes
 Reproduce
How does a cell do this?

 Organelles help cells perform these functions

Cell Structure
Structures Common to Plant and Animal Cells
Cytoplasm

 All organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm

 Mostly water, but stores substances that the
cell needs too
Cell Membrane

 Flexible double-layer
 Function
 Support to the cell
 Semi-Permeable
▪ Allows some materials to
pass into and out of cell,
but not all
 Note: most organelles
also have a similar
membrane
Nucleus

 Spherical, dense structure in cell

 Function:
 Contains genetic information that controls cell’s
activities
 Genetic info (DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid)
stored in chromosomes
 DNA must be copied before a cell can divide
Nucleus and Chromosomes
Mitochondria

 Powerhouse of the cell

 The more active the cell, the more
mitochondria there are
 Converts glucose (stored energy) to energy
that the cell can use
 Cellular respiration

glucose + oxygen  carbon dioxide + water + energy

Mitochondrial Structural Features

Note the dual

membrane and
the many folds
of the inner
membrane
Question to ponder...

 What type of cell would have more

mitochondria: a muscle cell? Or a fat cell?
 Why?
Endoplasmic Reticulum

 Branching tubes that extend throughout the

cytoplasm (from nuclear membrane to the
cellular membrane
 Function:
 To transport materials through the cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum

 Two types:
 Rough E.R.  studded
with ribosomes; helps with
protein synthesis
 Smooth E.R.  lacks
ribosomes; helps synthesis
of phospholipids and the
packaging of proteins into
vesicles
Golgi Bodies

 Tube-like structures
 Function:
 Collect and process materials to be removed from
cell
 Make and secrete mucus
Golgi Bodies
Question to ponder...

 Why do cells lining the intestine have many

Golgi bodies?
Vacuoles

 Fluid filled sac composed of a single layer of

membrane
 Function:
 Containing some substances
 Removing some substances
 Maintaining the pressure within the cell (more
often in plant cells)
Organelles in Plant Cells Only
Your Turn to Work 
Your Task...

 Using page 32 in your text book complete the

rest of the summary table for the 3
components unique to plant cells
 Then:
 Answer # 1, 2, 5-8 on page 32