The Cell
The basic unit of life
Self-replicating
Bound by a membrane
May contain organelles with specific structures and functions
Contains biological molecules like DNA, proteins and sugars
Cell Theory
All living things are made up of one or more cells and the products of those cells
Cells are the functional units of life
All cells come from pre-existing ones
Types of Cells
Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic Cells
Simple Cells
No nucleus
No organelles
e.g. bacteria
Eukaryotic Cells
More complex cells
Nucleus
Membrane-bound organelles
e.g. plant cells, animal cells, protists and fungi
Specialized Animal Cells
Red blood cells
Cheek cells
Sperm and egg cells
Brain cells
Organelles
Little “organs” of cells
Membrane-bound
Allow for cellular functions like:
DNA replication
cell division
excretion of wastes
Cell Wall
Protects the cell
Gives shape
Made of cellulose
Found in plants, algae, fungi, & most bacteria
Cell Membrane
Outer covering, protective layer around ALL cells
For cells with cell walls, the cell membrane is inside the cell wall
“selectively permeable”
Allows food, oxygen, and water into the cell and waste products out of the cell
Diffusion and Osmosis
Cytoplasm
Gelatin-like inside cell membrane
Constantly flows
Holds organelles in place
Cytoskeleton
Scaffolding-like structure in cytoplasm
Helps the cell maintain or change its shape
Made of protein
Nucleus
Directs all cell activities
Contains DNA – hereditary instructions for everything the cell does
Usually the largest organelle
Nucleolus
Aka “little nucleus”
Found in the nucleus
Makes components of ribosomes
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Network of tubes or membranes
Carries materials through cell
Can be
Smooth (no ribosomes on the surface)
Rough (ribosomes on the surface)
Ribosome
Small bodies free or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
Their function is to produce proteins
Mitochondrion
Bean-shaped with inner membranes
Place where sugar molecules are broken down into ENERGY - called “cellular respiration“
Golgi Bodies
Stack of membrane-bound vesicles
Packages, modifies and sorts substances to be transported around the cell
Vacuoles
Fluid-filled sacs found in both plants and animals
Storage site for food, water, waste
Lysosomes
Small, round structures with a membrane
Digestion -breaks down larger food molecules into smaller molecules
Protection
Attack “foreigners”
Chloroplasts
Green, oval structures found in plant cells ONLY
Contain the green pigment chlorophyll
Place where energy from sun is utilized to make food for the plant
called “photosynthesis”
Centrioles
Cylindrical structures found only in animal cells
Produce spindle fibres
Important for moving chromosomes during cell division
Flagellum
Found in animal cells
A projection of the cell that helps with locomotion
Animal Cell
Only a cell membrane
No chloroplasts
Centrioles
Lysosomes present
Irregular shape
Many tiny vacuoles
Plant Cell
Cell wall and cell membrane
Chloroplasts
No centrioles
Lysosomes uncommon
Regular shape
Usually only one large vacuole