AMOUD UNIVERSITY

FRESHMAN DEPARTMENT

Course: Introduction to Biology

By: Harun Ismail Warsame

(BSc/MPH)

By: Harun Ismail Warsame (BSc/MPH)

 CHAPTER 4: Cell Structure and Function

Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter you should be able to:
1. Define cell.
2. State the cell theory.
3. Explain the differences between the two
basic types of cells, prokaryotic and
eukaryotic.
4. Identify the four common components that
all cells share.
5. List any four organelles of the cell and their
functions.
 Key Word

The nucleus is
the most
important part
of a cell.
 Pre-testing
Refer to your prior knowledge about cell organelles
and tick the appropriate position.
No Organelles Animal Cell Plant Cell Both
1. CELL WALL
2. NUCLEUS
3. Endoplasmic
Reticulum
4. CHLOROPLASTS
5. MITOCHONDRIA
6. CYTOPLASM
7. LYSOSOMES
8. CYTOSKELETON
 Introduction
All organisms are composed of
structural and functional units of life
called ‘cells’.
The body of some organisms like
bacteria, protozoans and some algae is
made up of a single cell whereas the
body of higher fungi, plants and
animals are composed of many cells.
 Organisms has many kinds of cells, each
specialized for a specific purpose. For example,
1. Epithelial cells protect the surface of the body
and cover the organs and body cavities within.
2. Bone cells help to support and protect the body.
3. Cells of the immune system fight invading
bacteria.
4. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the
body.
• Each of these cell types plays a vital role during
the growth, development, and day-to-day
maintenance of the body.
 Discovery of cell
Robert Hooke made a
significant contribution in 1665 by
observing cork and identifying its
small compartments as "cells"
(from the Latin word for small
room).
 In 1672, Leeuwenhoek further
advanced cell study by
discovering bacteria, sperm, and
red blood cells, all of which are
 Cell Theory

• In1838 M.J.Schleiden and Theodore

Schwann formulated the “cell
theory.” Which maintains that:
1. All organisms are composed of
cells.
2. Cell is the structural and
functional unit of life, and
3. Cells arise from pre-existing
cells.
 The Cell

A cell may be defined as a unit of

protoplasm bound by a plasma or
cell membrane and possessing a
nucleus.
Protoplasm is the life giving
substance and includes the
cytoplasm and the nucleus.
 Cells has four common components:
1. A plasma membrane: controls what
goes in and out of the cell.
2. Cytoplasm: consisting of a jelly-like
region within the cell in which hold the
organelles its position.
3. DNA: the genetic material of the cell;
4. Ribosomes: particles that synthesize
proteins.
 Prokaryotes differ from Eukaryotic cells in several
ways.
 A prokaryotic cell is a simple,
1. Single-celled (unicellular) organism
2. Lacks a nucleus, or any other membrane-
bound organelle.
3. Some prokaryotes have flagella and pili,
 Eukaryotic Cells
1. Multicellular (many e-bound nucleus
2. has membrane-bound compartments or
sacs, called organelles, which have
specialized functions. The word eukaryotic
means “true kernel” or “true nucleus,”
 Review Question
• From where do new cells arise?

....................................................................................................................
........
• Name the scientists who proposed the ‘cell theory’.

....................................................................................................................
........
• Name an organelle which a plant cell has but an animal cell does not.

....................................................................................................................
........
• Givetwopointsofdifferencebetweenaprokaryoticcellandaeukaryoticcell

....................................................................................................................
........
 Cell organelles and their functions
1.Cell membrane—determines what goes in and
out of the cell
2. Cytoplasm—gel-like medium that holds the
organelles in position
3. Nucleus—control center of the cell
• Double membrane that surrounds the
nucleus—nuclear membrane
• Hereditary information inside the nucleus—
chromatin (DNA)
4. Ribosomes—makes proteins
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
 smooth ER because no ribosomes
found on its surface
ACTIVITY 1: Focus Group Discussion
Discuss the functions of the following
organelles:
1. Cytoskeleton
2. Golgibodies
3. Mitochondria
4. Lysosomes
5. Peroxisomes
6. Cell wall
7. Chloroplast
8. Vacuole
 Activity 2: Cell Organelles
Complete the following table by
writing the name of the cell part or
organelle in the right hand column
that matches the structure/function
in the left hand column. A cell part
MAY be used more than once.
# Structure/Function Cell Part
1. Stores material within the cell
2. The sites of protein synthesis
3. The region inside the cell except for the nucleus
4. Organelle that manages or controls all the cell
functions in a eukaryotic cell
5. Contains chlorophyll, a green pigment that traps
energyfrom sunlight and gives plants their green
color
6. Digests excess or worn-out cell parts, food particles
and invading viruses or bacteria
7. Firm, protective structure that gives the cell its shape
inplants, fungi, most bacteria and some protests
8. Produces a usable form of energy for the cell
9. Packages proteins for transport out of the cell
10. Site where ribosomes are made
11. The membrane surrounding the cell
Compare Plant cell and Animal Cell
No Plant Cell Animal Cell

1 Cell wall Centeriol

2 Chloropplast Lysosome
3 Large central vacuole Centrosome
4 Plasmodesmata
5 plastids