WELCOME TO EDO STATE

UNIVERSITY UZAIRUE (EDSU)

LECTURE TITLE: GENERAL BIOLOGY
COURSE CODE: BIO 111
COURSE UNIT: 3
Instructor: Dr. O.A. Anani, email: [email protected]
Lectures; Mondays: 8–10.00am, 1-3pm. Venue: NLT3 and NLT1 respectively
Practical Classes; Wednesdays: 1-3pm and Fridays 10am- 12pm
Phone: (+234) 8036134216
Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12.30 to 4pm, Office: Faculty of Engineering Building Basement
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics

 Cells are the basic, fundamental unit of life.

 So, if we were to break apart an organism to the cellular

level, the smallest independent component that we would
find would be the cell.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
Cell Definition
 “A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life that is
responsible for all of life’s processes.”
 Cells are the structural, functional, and biological units of
all living beings.
 A cell can replicate itself independently. Hence, they are
known as the building blocks of life.
 Each cell contains a fluid called the cytoplasm, which is
enclosed by a membrane.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Also present in the cytoplasm are several biomolecules or

macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids,

carbohydrates, and lipids.

 Moreover, cellular structures called cell organelles are

suspended in the cytoplasm.

Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
What is a Cell?
 A cell is the structural and fundamental unit of life. The
study of cells from its basic structure to the functions of
every cell organelle is called Cell Biology.
 Robert Hooke was the first Biologist who discovered cells.
 All organisms are made up of cells.
 They may be made up of a single cell (unicellular), or many
cells (multicellular).
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Mycoplasmas are the smallest known cells.
 Cells are the building blocks of all living beings.
 They provide structure to the body and convert the
nutrients taken from the food into energy.
 Cells are complex and their components perform various
functions in an organism.
 They are of different shapes and sizes, pretty much like
bricks of the buildings.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Our body is made up of cells of different shapes and sizes.

 Cells are the lowest level of organisation in every life form.

From organism to organism, the count of cells may vary.
 Humans have the number of cells compared to that of
bacteria.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Cells comprise several cell organelles that perform

specialised functions to carry out life processes.
 Every organelle has a specific structure.

 The hereditary material of the organisms is also present in

the cells.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
Discovery of Cells
 Discovery of cells is one of the remarkable advancements
in the field of science.
 It helps us know that all the organisms are made up of
cells, and these cells help in carrying out various life
processes.
 The structure and functions of cells helped us to
understand life in a better way.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

Who discovered cells?

 Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665. Robert Hooke
observed a piece of bottle cork under a compound
microscope and noticed minuscule structures that
reminded him of small rooms.
 Consequently, he named these “rooms” as cells.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 However, his compound microscope had limited

magnification, and hence, he could not see any details in
the structure.
 Owing to this limitation, Hooke concluded that these were
non-living entities.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Later Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed cells under
another compound microscope with higher magnification.
 This time, he had noted that the cells exhibited some form
of movement (motility).
 As a result, Leeuwenhoek concluded that these
microscopic entities were “alive.” Eventually, after a host of
other observations, these entities were named as
animalcules.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 In 1883, Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, provided the

very first insights into the cell structure.
 He was able to describe the nucleus present in the cells of
orchids.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Characteristics of Cells
Following are the various essential 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.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 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.
 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 concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Types of Cells
 Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and
departments that work towards a common objective.
Various types of cells perform different functions.
 Based on cellular structure, there are two types of cells:
• Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotes
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 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.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 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).
Diagram of a bacteria cell
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 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.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.

 There are some contrasting features between plant and

animal cells.
 For eg., the plant cell contains chloroplast, central
vacuoles, and other plastids, whereas the animal cells do
not.
Diagram of an animal cell
Diagram of a plant cell
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Cell Structure

 The cell structure comprises individual components with

specific functions essential to carry out life’s processes.
 These components include- cell wall, cell membrane,
cytoplasm, nucles, and cell organelles.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 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.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 By structure, it is a porous membrane (with pores) which
permit 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.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Cell Wall
 The cell wall is the most prominent part of the plant’s cell
structure.
 It is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin.
 The cell wall is present exclusively in plant cells.
 It protects the plasma membrane and other cellular
components.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 The cell wall is also the outermost layer of plant cells.

 It is a rigid and stiff structure surrounding the cell

membrane.
 It provides shape and support to the cells and protects
them from mechanical shocks and injuries.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
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.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
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.
 The nucleus protects the DNA and is an integral
component of a plant’s cell structure.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

Cell Organelles
 Cells are composed of various cell organelles that perform
certain specific functions to carry out life’s processes.
 The different cell organelles, along with its principal
functions, are as follows:
 Cell Organelle and its 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 helps in cell renewal.
Therefore, it is known as the cell’s suicide bags

Chloroplast

Chloroplasts are the primary organelles for photosynthesis. It contains the pigment chlorophyll

Vacuoles

Vacuoles stores food, water, and other waste materials in the cell
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

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.

 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 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.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
Functions of Cell
 A cell performs these 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.
 They form the structural basis of all the organisms.
 The cell wall and the cell membrane are the main
components that function to provide support and
structure to the organism.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 For eg., the skin is made up of a large number of cells.

 Xylem present in the vascular plants is made of cells that

provide structural support to the plants.
 Facilitate Growth Mitosis
 In the process of mitosis, the parent cell divides into the
daughter cells.
 Thus, the cells multiply and facilitate the growth in an
organism.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Allows Transport of Substances

 Various nutrients are imported by the cells to carry out

various chemical processes going on inside the cells.
 The waste produced by the chemical processes is
eliminated from the cells by active and passive transport.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Small molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and

ethanol diffuse across the cell membrane along the
concentration gradient.
 This is known as passive transport.

 The larger molecules diffuse across the cell membrane

through active transport where the cells require a lot of
energy to transport the substances.
Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.
 Energy Production
 Cells require energy to carry out various chemical
processes.
 This energy is produced by the cells through a process
called photosynthesis in plants and respiration in animals.
 Aids in Reproduction
 A cell aids in reproduction through the processes called
mitosis and meiosis.
 Mitosis is termed as the asexual reproduction where the
parent cell divides to form daughter cells.
 Cell concept, structure, organization, and functions, chemical and
physical characteristics Contd.

 Meiosis causes the daughter cells to be genetically

different from the parent cells.
 Thus, we can understand why cells are known as the
structural and functional unit of life.
 This is because they are responsible for providing structure
to the organisms and performs several functions necessary
for carrying out life’s processes.