Organisation and maintenance

of the Organism
2.1 Cell Structure
Cells
• All organisms are made of cells
• A cell is the basic unit of life for all living organisms
• Some organisms are:
1. Unicellular: bacteria, protists and some fungi
2. Multicellular: some fungi, plants and animals
 Cells
• Cells can be:
1. Prokaryotic – only bacteria and archaea
2. Eukaryotic – plants, animals, fungi and
protists
Eukaryotes Prokaryotes
Cell membrane Cell membrane
Cytoplasm Cytoplasm
Nucleus containing genetic material (DNA) No nucleus – DNA lies free in the cytoplasm
Membrane bound organelles – organelles are No membrane bound organelles
substructures inside the cell, each one carries out a
particular function
Microscopes
• Cells and cell structures are very small so they can be observed and studied using a
microscope
• Fundamentally there are two types of microscopes:
1. Light microscope
• Uses light as a source of radiation to produce images
• The image is viewed directly from the eyepiece
• Living organisms can be observed
• Portable
2. Electron microscope
• Uses a beam of electrons as a source of radiation to produce images
• The image is viewed on a screen or photographic plate – micrograph developed
• Living organisms cannot be observed
• Not portable
• Magnification of a microscope is its ability to enlarge an image
• Resolution of a microscope is its ability to distinguish two close points as separate
• The electron microscope has higher magnification (x1 000 000) and resolution (1nm)
than a light microscope (x2000; 200nm))
 Prokaryotic cell
DRAW!
Cell wall- protection from chemical and (Not all have)
mechanical damage, prevents cell from
bursting if too much water is taken in,
maintains shape
Plasma membrane – partially permeable –
controls what enters and leaves the cell
Cytoplasm- jelly-like substance where all
biochemical reactions occur
Flagellum- whip-like structure used for
movement
Ribosomes – where proteins are made (Not all have)
(synthesised)
Plasmid – additional circular DNA with
several genes
DNA – lies freely in the cytoplasm in the
nucleoid region – carries genetic material,
therefore controls all processes of the cell
Pili – used for cell to cell adhesion or Diagram showing the structure of Escherichia coli
exchanging genetic material between cells
Capsule – gives extra protection to cell
Cell structure of plant and animal cells
• Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells
• They are generally larger than prokaryotic cells
• They have a nucleus with chromosomes containing DNA They have
membrane bound organelles
Typical plant and animal cell as seen under a
light microscope
Cell structures and cell organelles
• Plasma membrane:
• Made of phospholipids and proteins
• Partially permeable
• Holds the cell together
• Controls what enters and leaves the cell
• Cytoplasm
• Contains water with different solutes dissolved in it
• Supports the cell organelles in it
• This is where all biochemical processes happen
• Nucleus
• Surrounded with a nuclear envelope with pores made of two membranes
• Contains thread-like chromosomes with DNA inside them
• Controls all the processes of the cell including growth, cell division, biochemical processes
• Mitochondria
• This is where cell respiration happens that produces energy as ATP
• ATP is needed to drive energy consuming processes such as muscle contraction enzyme and hormone
production…
• Therefore there will be many more mitochondria in active cells such as muscle cells, liver cells, pancreatic cells
than in a brain cell
• Ribosomes
• Small structures where proteins are made during protein synthesis
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• These are a system of channels and membranes in the cytoplasm usually
close to the nuclear envelope where proteins are transported
• Can be:
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER):
• Ribosomes attached – beaded appearance
• Since proteins are made on ribosomes, proteins that are made in the
cell but need to be exported out of the cell will enter the ER after they
are made and be modified and transported through the ER towards
the cell membrane Example: hormones and enzymes
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER):
• No ribosomes attached to it
• Synthesis of lipids and production of sex hormones
Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• System of sacs close to the plasma
membrane
• Proteins from the endoplasmic
reticulum enter the Golgi apparatus
where they are further modified
before being exported from the cell
• Vesicles
• Many small sac-like structures in the
cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane
to prevent the substances inside from
interfering with the cell
• They can contain many different
substances, for example:

• hormones and enzymes that will

be released from the cell
• Substances that are being stored
such as oils and fats
Animal cells only
• Lysosomes
• membrane bound organelles
• contain digestive enzymes that break down damaged organelles, toxic
compounds or foreign substances
• Maybe one or 2 plant cells have lysosomes but its not common
• Centrioles
• Structures involved in cell division
• Flagella and cilia
• Not all cells have them
• For movement
Plant cells only…
• Cell wall
• Surrounds cell
• Made of tough cellulose
• Gives cell shape
• Protects cell from chemical and mechanical damage
• Prevents cell from bursting due to uptake of water
• Chloroplasts
• Contain the green pigment chlorophyll
• This is where photosynthesis occurs
• Large vacuole
• Takes up most of the volume of the cell
• Surrounded with membrane called tonoplast
• Liquid inside is called cell sap
• Stores water and other substances
Ultrastructure of plant cell
Ultrastructure of animal cell
 Secretory
Granules

rER

Mitochondria
Plasma
Membrane

Nucleus
Plasma
Membrane

Mitochondria
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Comparing plant and animal cells
Cell structure Animal cells Plant cells
Plasma membrane  
Nucleus  
Mitochondrion  
Endoplasmic reticulum  
Ribosomes  
Golgi apparatus  
Vesicles  
Vacuole Small temporary Large central
Lysosomes  -
Centrioles  -
Flagella  - (some gametes)
Chloroplast - 
Cell wall - 
Homework:
1. Read pages 43-47 of your textbook.
2. Name 3 differences and three similarities between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells
3. Answer questions 1 & 2 on pg. 46
4. Answer questions pg. 47
5. Upload to It’s Learning