THE

CELL
 SIZE OF CELLS
•Cells vary in size.
•Most cells are very small
(microscopic), some may be
very large (macroscopic).
•The unit used to measure
size of a cell is micrometer.
 SIZE OF THE CELL
Smallest cell
• Mycoplasma
• Size: 0.1 µm •

Largest cell
• Ostrich egg
• Size: 18 cm 1 µm = 1/1000
millimeter
SIZE OF CELLS IN HUMANS
 SHAPE OF CELLS
•Cells vary in shape.
•Variation depends mainly upon the function
of cells.
•Some cells like Euglena and Amoeba can
change their shape, but most cells have a
fixed shape.
 SHAPE OF
CELLS
• Human RBCs are circular biconcave
for easy passage through human
capillaries.
• Nerve cells are branched to conduct
impulses from one point to another.
• Human WBCs can change their
shape to engulf the microorganisms
that enter the body.
STRUCTURE OF CELL
• The detailed structure of a cell
has been studied under
compound microscope and
electron microscope.
• Certain structures can be seen
only under an electron
microscope.
• The structure of a cell as seen
under an electron microscope is
called ultrastructure.
 PARTS OF
THE CELL
AND THEIR
FUNCTIONS
•All cells are composed of 3 major parts:
•1. External Coverings and Locomotive
Organs
•2. Cytoplasm with organelles
•3. Nucleus
 EXTERNAL COVERINGS
AND LOCOMOTIVE ORGANS
Plasma Membrane
• Composed of phospholipid bilayer embedded with
proteins and carbohydrates.
• Selectively permeable, which means that not
everything can enter or pass through it.
• The cell membrane plays several important roles for
the continued existence of the cell.
• Its semi-permeability allows the cell to choose the
substances to absorb, secrete, or excrete.
• Substances that are absorbed and excreted by the
cell must pass through cell membrane.

• The head is hydrophilic (loves water) while the tail is

hydrophobic (afraid of water).
CELL WALL
• Tough and thick layer
composed of cellulose.
Protects and gives support
to cell.
• Present in plants, as well
as in algae, fungi and
bacteria. Located outside
the cell membrane and is
primarily made of
cellulose.
• It maintains the shape of
plant, protects the cell
and helps regulate the
cell’s uptake of water.
 FLAGELLA AND CILIA
• The cilia has absorption properties that
helps in getting water around the
surface of the cell.
• In humans, the flagella and the cilia
are important in reproduction.
• In males, sperm cells have flagella that
enable them to swim.
 CYTOPLASM
• The cytoplasm is the semisolid,
semiliquid, gel-like substance that
hold the internal structures of the
cell. It also serves as a medium of
transport.
• ]It holds all the organelles
(meaning “little organs”) of the
cell.
 ORGANELLES
• Organelles are little organs that perform
specific functions inside the cell.

• The endomembrane system refers to the

group of organelles that produce and
transport substances on the cytoplasm
through the use of vesicles.
 MITOCHONDRIA
“POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL”
• Sausage-shaped, also a double-
membrane organelle. The outer
membrane serves as its covering,
while the inner membrane is folded
many times to create the cristae
(crista).
• Inside the cristae is the matrix that
contains different enzymes. It
contains circular molecules of DNA
and ribosomes.
• It produces energy in the form of ATP
(Adenosine Triphosphate) – the
energy currency of the cell.
 RIBOSOMES “PROTEIN FACTORIES OF THE CELL”
• Very small, dot-like structure.
• Function mainly to make
proteins (it receives
instructions via RNA or mRNA
produced in the nucleus).
Have two types:
• 1. Free ribosomes (just
floating free in the cytoplasm)
• 2. Attached ribosomes
(mostly in the RER)
• Smallest organelle but makes
one of the most important
molecule for life, proteins.
 ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
“MANUFACTURER OF THE CELL”
• Manufactures various organic compounds.
• serves as a transport membrane across the cell.
Have two types:
• 1. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- Tube-like
structure next to RER. Has no ribosomes. Functions in
synthesis of lipids, phospholipids, and steroids. (they
are all fats)
• 2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum- called rough
because of ribosomes attached. Together w/
ribosomes, they produce secretory proteins that are
to be transported out of the cell.
GOLGI BODY “PACKAGING
OF THE CELL”
• Functions in transport of molecules
made by the ER via transport
vesicles.
• Like a packaging office, they modify,
sort, pack, and finally ship the
molecules outside or inside the cell.
• Transport vesicles are circular
containers from the Golgi body that
is used for shipping. It freely moves in
and out the cell.
 LYSOSOMES
“WASTE DISPOSAL
OF THE CELL”
• Small, spherical-shaped. It
produces hydrolytic enzymes
called lysozyme that digests and
destroys molecules and organelles
that are not needed anymore by
the cell.
• It protects the cell by destroying
foreign substances. The molecules
to be destroyed are carried by the
vesicles. Amazingly, it can also
destroy the whole cell itself.
 PEROXISOMES “WASTE
DISPOSAL OF THE CELL”
• Have oxidative enzymes which breaks down
long chains of fatty acids and lipids (fats). Has
a lipid (fat) bilayer membrane.

• differ from lysosomes in the type of enzyme

they hold. Peroxisomes hold on to enzymes that
require oxygen (oxidative enzymes). Lysosomes
have enzymes that work in oxygen-poor areas
and lower pH. Peroxisomes absorb nutrients
that the cell has acquired.
 CENTRIOLES
• Rod-like structure.
• Aids in cell division. During cell
division, they produce fibers to pull
the chromosomes to opposite
poles of the cell.
• Centrioles produce spindle fibers
that pull away the chromosomes
at the end of each pole.
• It is necessary to pull the
chromosomes at both poles
because they contain the DNA.
Without DNA, life wouldn’t exist.
 CYTOSKELETON
“FRAMEWORK OF
THE CELL”
Provide structural support like bones.
Composed of actin filament, myosin
filament and microtubules.
VACUOLE AND VESICLES “WATER
TANK OF THE CELL

• storage of water and dissolved substances

• Vacuoles are larger in plant cells than in
animal cells. In plant cells, there is usually a
single, central vacuole. In animal cells, there
are many small vacuoles scattered in the
cytoplasm.
CHLOROPLASTS “FOOD
MANUFACTURER OF THE CELL”

• Capsule-shaped
organelle.

• Contains chlorophyll
molecules which is the
location of
photosynthesis.

• Present only in plant cell

and animal autotrophs
like planktons.
NUCLEUS “BRAIN OF THE
CELL”
• Dark, spherical-shaped structure.
Stores the genetic code DNA.
• Covered by bi-lipid membrane (like
that of plasma membrane) called
nuclear envelope.
• Contains a denser, darker sphere in
the center called nucleolus. The
nucleolus contains the RNA that
contains the code to make proteins
in the ribosomes.
 SUMMARY
•Organelles work together to
support the cell.
•Plant cells have parts that are
similar to animal cells with a few
distinctions. Plant cells have cell
walls, which provide structure and
additional protection to the plants.
THANK
YOU