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Dr. Adeyekun's Bio 102 note

Cells are the fundamental units of life, with distinct structures including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and various organelles that perform essential functions. There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic, which lack a nucleus, and eukaryotic, which have a true nucleus and are more complex. The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life that arise from pre-existing cells.

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Dr. Adeyekun's Bio 102 note

Cells are the fundamental units of life, with distinct structures including the nucleus, cytoplasm, and various organelles that perform essential functions. There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic, which lack a nucleus, and eukaryotic, which have a true nucleus and are more complex. The cell theory states that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic units of life that arise from pre-existing cells.

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CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION


 Cells are the basic, fundamental unit of life, cellular level, the smallest independent component that we would find would be
the cell. Principal structure of an animal cell Cytoplasm surrounds the cell's specialized structures, or organelles.
Discovery of Cells
 Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665
 Later Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed cells under another compound microscope with higher magnification. In 1883,
Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, provided the very first insights into the cell structure.
Characteristics of Cells
 Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.
 The cell interior is organised into different individual organelles surrounded by a separate membrane.
 The nucleus (major organelle) holds genetic information necessary for reproduction and cell growth.
 Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm.
 Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly responsible for the energy transactions vital for the survival of
the cell.
 Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
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 Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal organisation of the cell by synthesising selective molecules
and processing, directing and sorting them to their appropriate locations.
CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
Types of Cells
1. Prokaryotic Cells
 Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Instead, some prokaryotes such as bacteria have a region within the cell where the genetic material is freely
suspended. This region is called the nucleoid.
 They all are single-celled microorganisms. Examples include archaea, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.
 The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in diameter.
 The hereditary material can either be DNA or RNA.
 Prokaryotes generally reproduce by binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction. They are also known to use conjugation – which is often seen as the
prokaryotic equivalent to sexual reproduction (however, it is NOT sexual reproduction).
2. Eukaryotic Cells
 Eukaryotic cells are characterised by a true nucleus.
 The size of the cells ranges between 10–100 µm in diameter.
 This broad category involves plants, fungi, protozoans, and animals.
 The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring the transport of nutrients and electrolytes in and out of the cells. It is also responsible for cell to
cell communication.
 They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.
 There are some contrasting features between plant and animal cells.
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 The cell structure comprises individual components with specific functions essential to carry out life’s processes. These components include- cell wall, cell membrane,
cytoplasm, nucleus, and cell organelles
CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
Cell Membrane
 The cell membrane supports and protects the cell. It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cells. It separates the cell from the external
environment. The cell membrane is present in all the cells.
 The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell within which all other organelles, such as the cytoplasm and nucleus, are enclosed. It is also referred to as the
plasma membrane.
 By structure, it is a porous membrane (with pores) which permits the movement of selective substances in and out of the cell. Besides this, the cell membrane
also protects the cellular component from damage and leakage.
 It forms the wall-like structure between two cells as well as between the cell and its surroundings.
 Plants are immobile, so their cell structures are well-adapted to protect them from external factors. The cell wall helps to reinforce this function.
Cytoplasm
 The cytoplasm is a thick, clear, jelly-like substance present inside the cell membrane.
 Most of the chemical reactions within a cell take place in this cytoplasm.
 The cell organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, mitochondria, ribosomes, are suspended in this cytoplasm
Nucleus
 The nucleus contains the hereditary material of the cell, the DNA.
 It sends signals to the cells to grow, mature, divide and die.
 The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope that separates the DNA from the rest of the cell.
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 The nucleus protects the DNA and is an integral component of a plant’s cell structure.
CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
Cell Theory Cell Theory was proposed by the German scientists, Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolf Virchow. The cell theory states
that:
 All living species on Earth are composed of cells.
 A cell is the basic unit of life.
 All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
 A modern version of the cell theory was eventually formulated, and it contains the following postulates:
 Energy flows within the cells.
 Genetic information is passed on from one cell to the other.
 The chemical composition of all the cells is the same.

Functions of Cell
 A cell performs major functions essential for the growth and development of an organism. Important functions of cell are as follows:
 Provides Support and Structure: All the organisms are made up of cells.
 Facilitate Growth Mitosis: In the process of mitosis,
 Allows Transport of Substances:
 Energy Production: Cells require energy to carry out various chemical processes. This energy is produced by
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the cells through a process called
photosynthesis
 Aids in Reproduction:
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Animal Cell
CELL STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
Cell Organelles and their Functions
Nucleolus
The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis. Also, it is involved in controlling cellular activities and cellular reproduction.
Nuclear membrane
The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus by forming a boundary between the nucleus and other cell organelles.
Chromosomes
Chromosomes play a crucial role in determining the sex of an individual. Each human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Endoplasmic reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the transportation of substances throughout the cell. It
plays a primary role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, synthesis of lipids, steroids and
proteins.
Golgi Bodies
Golgi bodies are called the cell’s post office as it is involved in the transportation of materials
within the cell.
Ribosome
Ribosomes are the protein synthesisers of the cell.
Mitochondria
The mitochondrion is called “the powerhouse of the cell.” It is called so because it produces ATP
– the cell’s energy currency.
Lysosomes
Lysosomes protect the cell by engulfing the foreign bodies entering the cell and help in cell
renewal. Therefore, they are known as the cell’s suicide bags.
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