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Cells Cells
Are the basic structural and functional Cells can exist:
units of life Singly as independent unicellular
organisms
As part of multicellular organisms
• Such cells are modified for specific functions

Cell Structure
Cell Structure
The control
Protoplasm The living Nucleus centre
matter of cells
Structure
Consists of: •Chromatin
•Nucleolus
Nucleus
•Nuclear envelope
•Nucleoplasm
Cytoplasm

Cell surface
membrane

Cell Structure
Cell Structure
The control
Nucleus centre Cytoplasm The laboratory
Functions • Colloidal (glue-like);
•Control centre for cell’s activities • Mainly water with salts & sugars
•Control cell division • Larger molecules of fats &
•Contains genetic material proteins
• Endless chemical reactions
taking place
• With many small structures
called organelles

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Cell Structure Cell Structure

Membranes Membranes
- Partially permeable and made up of lipids & proteins. - Larger, polar molecules are not able to pass
- Lipid bilayer allows small substances like water, through, and would require a “channel” to enter/exit.
carbon dioxide and oxygen to pass through.
1. Provides a boundary:
a. Constant internal environment
b. Allows for compartments
2. Presence of proteins embedded in the membrane

Cell Structure Cell Structure

Tiny structures in
Organelles the cytoplasm Vacuoles Fluid-filled spaces
enclosed by a membrane
• Fluid is watery and non-
mitochondrion chloroplast protoplasmic
• These structures perform specialised functions
essential for the normal cell functioning • Animal cells: Many small
vacuoles, usually temporary
The most obvious: Nucleus • May contain water and food
vacuoles
substances
nucleus

Cell Structure Cell Structure

Vacuoles Fluid-filled spaces

enclosed by a membrane Vacuoles Fluid-filled spaces
enclosed by a membrane
• Plant cells: Usually contains Functions:
a single large central • Keep the cytoplasm
vacuole enclosed by a concentration constant
membrane called the • Collect & remove waste products
tonoplast • Act as food reserves
• Give turgidity & support to cells
• Cell sap contains water and
dissolved food substances

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Cell Structure Mitochondrion

Powerhouses
Mitochondria ofPowerhouses
the cell
• Involved in the release of energy
from food substances during
respiration
• Energy released temporarily in
small molecules called ATP
• ATP can be transported to parts
of the cell that require energy

Nucleus
What is… Cell Structure
Nuclear Pore

ATP Adenosine Triphosphate Nucleus

• Nucleolus: Involved in the
• The batteries of the cell synthesis of material for the
• When required, they can ribosomes.
be broken down to • Information in DNA contains
release energy instructions for making
Energy proteins.
• Energy may be used to • This information must be
perform activities “copied” and the copies are
essential to life moved out of the nucleus
through the nuclear pores.

Rough endoplasmic
Cell Structure Cell Structure reticulum
Rough
Protein synthesis endoplasmic
reticulum Synthesis
• Joining amino acids • Protein synthesis &
together transport occurs at the
• Occurs at the rough endoplasmic
ribosomes Ribosome reticulum
• These are found in • Lipid synthesis occurs
the cytoplasm or at the smooth
attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic
endoplasmic reticulum
reticulum

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Cell Structure

Packaging
• These lipids & proteins
are packaged/modified at
the Golgi apparatus Golgi vesicle
• Golgi vesicles transport
Golgi
materials to other parts of apparatus
the cell or to the cell
surface membrane for
secretion

Fig 2.2 Structure of a generalized plant cell For plants only…

Organelles Chloroplasts
• Chloroplasts:
2 membranes
Stores starch
Where
photosynthesis
occurs

For plants only… Some differences…

differences…
Cell Wall & Middle Lamella Plant cell Animal cell
Have cell wall enclosing No cell wall
Cell Wall:
the protoplasm
• Non-living
Have chloroplasts for No chloroplasts
• Fully permeable
• Rigid: Gives shape and photosynthesis
support to the cells Have large single Only have numerous
• Mainly made up of cellulose vacuole small temporary
vacuoles
Middle Lamella:
• Thin cementing material Store excess food as Store as glycogen
between adjacent cells starch grains
• Fully permeable

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