Discovery of the Cell:

• The cell was first discovered

by Robert Hooke in 1665

• Robert Hooke used microscope to

observe thin slice of cork—dead
plant material
Cork seemed to be made of box-like
chambers—Hooke called cells

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered

living cells in pond water
Schleiden(1838) Plant

Schwann (1839) Animals

Virchow(1855) Cells arise

from Pre-existing cells
 Cell: is a basic unit of life
 The word cell comes from the Latin cella, meaning "small
room"
 Cell is the basic structural, functional and biological unit of all
known living organisms.
 Cells are the smallest unit of life i.e. “building blocks of life”

Cell theory:
First developed by Schleiden and Schwann in 1839
 All organisms are composed of one or more cells
 Cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in
all living organisms
 All cells come from pre-existing cells
 Vital functions of an organism occur within cells
 All cells contain the hereditary information necessary for
regulating cell functions and for transmitting information to
the next generation of cells
Neuron

RBCs

WBCs
 Type of Cells: on the basis of anatomy

Prokaryotic: Do not have a distinct nucleus

eg: bacteria

Nucleoid

Eukaryotic (EU = TRUE) Cells: cells that have true nucleus

eg: plants, animals, fungi

Nucleus
 Prokaryote VS Eukaryote
The distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is
considered to be the most important distinction among groups
of organisms.

Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, such as

the nucleus, while prokaryotic cells do not.

Differences in cellular structure of prokaryotes and

eukaryotes include the presence and absence of nucleus,
mitochondria, chloroplasts, cell wall, and the structure
of chromosomal DNA.

Prokaryotes were the only form of life on Earth for millions

of years until more complicated eukaryotic cells came
through the process of evolution.
Scientists believe that prokaryotic cells (in the form of bacteria) were the first life forms
on earth. They are considered “primitive” and originated about 3.5 billion years ago
1.5 billion years ago eukaryotic cells arose

1. Both have DNA as their genetic material (it’s DNA

that tells cells what kind of cells they should be).

Cell Membrane 2. Both are covered by a cell membrane.

3. Both are made from the same basic chemicals:

carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid, minerals, fats
and vitamins
4. Both have ribosomes (the structures on which
proteins are made)
5. Both contain RNA.

6. Both regulate the flow of the nutrients and wastes

that enter and leave them

7. Both require a supply of energy

8. Both are highly regulated by elaborate sensing

systems ("chemical noses”) that make them aware
of the reactions within them and the environment
around them.
 Prokaryotic Cell
 Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that are the earliest and most
primitive forms of life on earth.
eg: bacteria and archaebacteria.

 Prokaryotes are able to live and thrive in various types of environments

including extreme habitats such as hot springs, swamps, wetlands and the
guts of animals.

Prokaryotic Cell Structure

 Prokaryotic cells are not as complex as eukaryotic cells.

 They have no true nucleus as the DNA is not contained within a

membrane or separated from the rest of the cell, but is coiled up in a region
of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid.
  Prokaryotic Cell Structure
 Capsule - This additional outer covering protects the
cell when it is engulfed by other organisms, assists in
retaining moisture, and helps the cell adhere to
Cytoplasm
surfaces and nutrients.
 Cell Wall - Outer covering of most cells that protects
the bacterial cell and gives it shape.
 Cell Membrane or Plasma Membrane - Surrounds
the cell's cytoplasm and regulates the flow of
substances in and out of the cell.
 Cytoplasm - A gel-like substance composed mainly of
water that also contains enzymes, salts, cell
components, and various organic molecules.
 Ribosomes - Cell structures responsible for protein
synthesis .
 Plasmids - Gene carriers, circular DNA structures.
 Nucleoid Region - Area of the cytoplasm that contains
the single bacterial DNA molecule.
 Flagella - Long, whip-like protrusion that aids in
cellular locomotion.
 Cell Parts and Their Functions:
Specialized cell parts called organelles of the cell / Cell Organelles

Animal
Cell

Plant
Cell
LYSOSOME
 1. Cell membrane—determines what goes in and out of the cell

 The cell membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment

 The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in
and out of cells

 The basic function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its surroundings

 Cell membranes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as cell adhesion, ion conductivity and cell
signaling and serve as the attachment surface for several extracellular structures, including the cell wall and
intracellular cytoskeleton.
The cell membrane is a biological membrane that separates
the interior of all cells from the outside environment

The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic

molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells

The basic function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its
surroundings

Cell membranes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such

as cell adhesion, ion conductivity and cell signaling and serve as the
attachment surface for several extracellular structures, including the cell
wall and intracellular cytoskeleton.
 2. Cytoplasm—gel-like medium that holds the
organelles in position
 The cytosol or cytoplasmic
matrix is the liquid found
inside cells

 The cytosol is a complex mixture

of substances dissolved in water

 The cytosol also contains ions

(sodium, potassium, calcium,
bicarbonate and magnesium etc.
and macromolecules (proteins)
 3. Nucleus—control center of the cell

Nuclear membrane: Double membrane that surrounds the nucleus

• In cell biology:
the nucleus (nuclei;from Latin nucleus meaning kernel) is a
membrane-enclosed organelle found in eukaryotic cells.

• It contains most of the cell's genetic material, organized as

multiple long linear DNA molecules in complex with a large
variety of proteins, such as histones, to form chromosomes
 4. Ribosomes: makes proteins

Ribosomes are the workhorses of protein synthesis

(translation), the process of translating mRNA
into protein
 5. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (rough ER):

makes and transports proteins within the cell

• Called rough ER because of the ribosomes found on its

surface
 6. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (smooth ER)

makes and transport lipids and other materials within the

cell

• Called smooth ER because no ribosomes found on

its surface

The endoplasmic reticulum serves many general functions, including

the facilitation of protein folding and the transport of synthesized
proteins in sacs called cisterns
 7. Cytoskeleton: network of protein

filaments that helps cell maintain its shape

 8. Golgi apparatus:
processes and packages proteins and other substances produced in the ER
 9. Mitochondria:
Energy source of the cell (powerhouse)
 The term "mitochondria" itself was coined by Carl Benda in 1898

 Richard Altmann, in 1894, established them as cell organelles and

called them "bioblasts“
The mitochondrion (plural mitochondria) is a membrane-
enclosed structure found in eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondria range from 0.5 to 1.0 micrometer (μm) in

diameter

These organelles are described as “Power House of the

Cell" because they generate and supply energy ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) to the cell

Mitochondria are involved in other tasks such as signaling,

cellular differentiation, cell death, as well as the control of
the cell cycle and cell growth.
 A mitochondrion contains outer and inner membranes composed
of phospholipid bilayer and proteins.

Because of double-membrane organization, there are five distinct parts

to a mitochondrion:

1. the outer mitochondrial

membrane
2. the inter membrane space
(the space between the
outer and inner
membranes):
Perimitochondrial space
3. the inner mitochondrial
membrane,
4. the cristae space (formed
by in foldings of the inner
membrane)
5. the matrix (space within
the inner membrane).
 1. Outer Membrane:
 The outer mitochondrial membrane, which encloses the entire organelle,
has a protein-to-phospholipid ratio similar to that of the eukaryotic plasma
membrane (about 1:1 by weight).
 It contains large numbers of integral proteins called porins. These porins
form channels that allow molecules 5000 Daltons or less in molecular
weight to freely diffuse from one side of the membrane to the other.
 Larger proteins can enter the mitochondrion if a signaling sequence at
their N-terminus binds to a large multisubunit protein called translocase of
the outer membrane, which then actively moves them across the membrane.
 Disruption of the outer membrane permits proteins in the inter membrane
space to leak into the cytosol, leading to certain cell death.
 The mitochondrial outer membrane can associate with the endoplasmic
reticulum(ER) membrane, in a structure called MAM (mitochondria-
associated ER-membrane).
 This is important in the ER-mitochondria calcium signaling and involved in
the transfer of lipids between the ER and mitochondria
 2. Inter membrane space

 The inter membrane space is the space between the outer

membrane and the inner membrane.
 It is also known as Perimitochondrial space.
 Because the outer membrane is freely permeable to small
molecules, the concentrations of small molecules such as
ions and sugars in the inter membrane space is the same
as the cytosol.
 However, large proteins must have a specific signaling
sequence to be transported across the outer membrane, so
the protein composition of this space is different from the
protein composition of the cytosol.
 One protein that is localized to the intermembrane space
in this way is cytochrome c.
 3. Inner membrane
The inner mitochondrial membrane contains proteins
with five types of functions

 Those that perform the redox reactions of oxidative

phosphorylation
 ATP synthase, which generates ATP in the matrix

 Specific transport proteins that

regulate metabolite passage into and out of the matrix
 Protein import machinery.
 4. Cristae

 The inner mitochondrial membrane is compartmentalized

into numerous cristae

 It expand the surface area of the inner mitochondrial

membrane, enhancing its ability to produce ATP.

 For typical liver mitochondria, the area of the inner

membrane is about five times as great as the outer
membrane. This ratio is variable and mitochondria from
cells that have a greater demand for ATP, such as muscle
cells, contain even more cristae.

 These folds are studded with small round bodies known

as F1 particles or oxysomes.
 5. Matrix
 The matrix is the space enclosed by the inner membrane. It contains
about 2/3 of the total protein in a mitochondrion.

 The matrix is important in the production of ATP with the aid of the
ATP synthase contained in the inner membrane.

 The matrix contains a highly concentrated mixture of hundreds of

enzymes, special mitochondrial ribosomes, tRNA, and several copies
of the mitochondrial DNA genome.

 Mitochondria have their own genetic material, and the machinery to

manufacture their own RNAs and proteins.
 10. Vacuoles: sac-like structures for storage

• Plant cells usually contain a large vacuole that fills most

of the cell—pressure from this large vacuole helps plants
support themselves
 Found in animal cells only:

11. Lysosomes: cleans up the cell and digests unwanted materials

Present only in animal cells
 Found in plant cells only:
12. Cell wall—provides support and protection for cell
• Composed mainly of cellulose (polysacharride)—fiber
for our diet

13. Chloroplast—makes glucose using the energy

from the sun (photosynthesis)
 Specialized Parts for movement:

1. Cilia (like little hairs) 2. Flagella (like a tail)

 Specialized Cells:

Different cells in your body do different jobs. The structure

(how it’s built) of cells matches the function (what it does).
• Plant Examples:

1. Leaf cell: contains many

chloroplasts to maximize
photosynthesis

2. Root cell (potato):

contains many vacuoles to
maximize water and starch
storage
 • Animal Examples:

1. Epithelial cells—have villi to increase nutrient

absorption; found in the intestines
2. Muscle cells: contain many mitochondria to produce more
energy for movement
 3. Nerve cells:

have fibers called dendrites that allow nerve cells to

communicate with each other
 Differences Between Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic Cell
Characteristic Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic Cell
True Nucleus Present Absent
Number of chromosomes: More than one One-but not
true chromosome: Plasmids
Cell Type: Usually Usually unicellular (some
multicellular cyanobacteria may be
(Yeast as multicellular)
unicellular)
Lysosomes and peroxisomes: Present Absent
Microtubules: Present Absent
Endoplasmicreticulum: Present Absent
Mitochondria: Present Absent
Golgi apparatus: Present Absent
Chloroplasts: Present (plant Absent (chlorophyll scattered
cells) in the cytoplasm)
Ribosomes: Larger (80s) Smaller (70s)
Cell size: 10-100um 1-10um
 Differences Between Animal & Plant Cell
Animal Cell Plant Cell

Cell wall: Absent Present (formed of

cellulose)
Centrioles: Present Absent

Chloroplast: Absent Present

Plastids: Absent Present

Lysosomes: Present Absent

Vacuole: One or more small One, large

vacuoles (much central vacuole takin
smaller g up 90% of cell
than plant cells). volume.