THE CELL

AND
CELL STRUCTURES
Chapter 3

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

This section will discuss the following topics:
Discovery of cells
The Cell Theory
Diversity of Cells
Common Parts of a cell

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

What is a cells?
A cell is not only the smallest unit capable of life, but also the structural and
functional unit necessary for life

Origin of the cell

It was first discovered through the invention of the microscope
The British scientist credited for both the invention of the microscope and the finding
of the cell is Robert Hooke

In fact, Hooke also was the first to coin the term, cell
Robert Hooke described the image he saw as being made up of small units that
resembles a honeycomb (Figure 15.1 on pg. 69)
These honeycomb units were the cells of the cork that was being viewed

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

Additional modifications
While Robert Hooke was the inventor of the microscope, there were several
other individuals that made some revision to Hooke breakthrough invention
One example would be a German scientist, Anton van Leeuwenhoek.
Just as Hooke, Leeuwenhoek had a breakthrough in cellular biology
This was his findings of human blood cells and small organisms, such as rotifers, through the
use of his altered microscope
The changes Leeuwenhoek made to his microscope allowed for it to be not only one
of the most powerful of his day but also almost as powerful as a modern-day light
microscope

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

The Cell Theory
As stated earlier this year, when a hypothesis is well-tested over a long period of
time and no falsifying evidence is found, this hypothesis becomes a scientific
theory
Along with prior findings of evidence, three German scientists (Theodor
Schwann, Matthias Jakob Schleidan, and Rudolf Virchow) observations were
compiled together to form the Cell Theory
Their observations or in other words, the fundamental ideas of the Cell Theory are
as follows
1) All organisms are made up of cells
2) All the life functions occur within a cell
3) All cells come from preexisting cells

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

Characteristics of cells
Similar to other terms and concepts in Biology, all cells share common
characteristics, while still be able to display an immense spectrum of variety
In terms of cells, this immense spectrum of variety can be seen through the
countless types of cells within the human body alone
As you see in the figure to the left, cells can vary in
shapes, sizes, functions, etc.
Nevertheless, these cells, alongside all others,
share several characteristics

3.1 PARTS COMMON TO THE CELL

There are 4 general features that are shared between all cells and they are:
A plasma membrane, also called a cell membrane,

This structure is a thin coat of lipids that surrounds the cell

It is the physical boundary that protects the innermost part of the cell

Cytoplasm

This is the all the cellular material within the cell, excluding the nucleus
It is made of cytosol, which is a watery substance that resembles jelly
It also contains other organelles, such as ribosomes

Ribosomes

A cellular structure found in the cell that is the site for the production of proteins

DNA

A nucleic acid, found within the cell, that contains the genetic information needed
to make proteins

3.2 PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELLS
By now, it should be known that there a tremendous amount of cells that
vary in many different ways
Nonetheless, all these cells can be broken down and arranged into two
categories
These categories are based upon another basic and common cellular structure
This cellular structure is called a nucleus
Defined as the large, membrane-bounded organelle that contains the genetic material, in
the form of DNA molecules organized into chromosomes.

The reason that this cellular structure was not listed in the prior is due to the fact
that many cells possess this structures, while others do not

This presence of a nucleus will determine whether the cell is either

Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic

3.2 PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELLS
Prokaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that lack the presence of a nucleus

Cells that possess a nucleus

Generally found in single-celled organisms

Mainly found in multicellular organisms

Organisms with these cells are called

prokaryotes

Organisms with these cells are called

eukaryotes

They were the first organisms to evolve and

still are the most common organisms

Tend to be smaller cells

Contains only the basic cellular structures
Only organelle it contains is ribosome

They range from fungi to humans

Tend to be a larger cell

Contains a wide range of cellular structures
or organelles
Organelle - a structure with the cytoplasm
that performs a specific job (Ex. mitochondria)

3.2 PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELLS
Prokaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Cells

3.3 VIRUSES
In this section, we will discuss:
1. What a virus is?
2. If a virus is alive or not?
3. How a virus works?
4. Types of virus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KXHwhTghWI

3.3 VIRUSES
What is a virus?
A virus is microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that
cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell
Unlike cells, viruses do not possess some basic features, such as
plasma membranes, cytoplasm or ribosomes
In fact, viruses only contain nucleic acids that are surrounded
by a protein coat called capsid
Due to this extremely simple molecular make-up, viruses cannot be
categorized as cells

Also, not all viruses are considered harmful

3.3 VIRUSES
Viral Reproduction
Nevertheless, some of these
harmful and infectious viruses
can be found replicating in
bacterium
These types of viruses are called
bacteriophages or phages
There are 2 different modes of
replication that these phages
can complete
Lytic Cycle
Lysogenic Cycle

3.3 VIRUSES
Lytic Cycle
This is the reproductive cycle that
results in the bursting of the hosting
bacterium, or a lysis
Once the cell bursts, it will release a
set of replicated viruses that now
will roam freely
These newly replicated viruses will
now attempt to infect other cells

However, this time that the virus

infect the cell; it will replicate
through a different pathway

3.3 VIRUSES
Lysogenic Cycle
This is when the viral DNA replication
in a host cell does not result in the
destruction of the host cell.
This replication involves the virus
mixing its genetic information with
that of the bacterium
When this is accomplished, the
bacterium is now called a
prophage

This combination can result in a

variety of strains of the same virus

3.3 VIRUSES
Types of Viruses
Due to their modes of replication, viruses can vary in several different ways
This variety can cause an outbreak of emerging viruses
Emerging viruses are viruses that appear suddenly and are relatively new in terms of
their discovery

These types of viruses can come about by mutations, contact between species
and the spread from populations

3.3 VIRUSES
Types of Viruses
Along with viruses, there are other infectious molecules that trigger a host cell for
replication
One of these molecules is a small circular RNA molecule called a viroid
These molecules infect plants, through the use of cellular enzymes, causing
abnormal or stunted growth

Another type of these infectious molecules is an infectious protein called a

prion
Generally associated with animals, these molecules seem to cause brain disease
(Ex. Mad cow disease)
Prions are thought to be the misfolded form of a protein that is normally
present in the brain

3.4 +3.5 PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYERS

AND MEMBRANE PROTEINS
In this section, we will discuss:
1. The components of the phospholipid bilayer
2. The purpose of the Hydrophilic vs. Hydrophobic end
3. The role of protein found in plasma membranes
4. The Fluid Mosaic Model