Basic Cell Structure
Cells
Basic building blocks of
life
Understanding of cell
helps the study of
biotechnology (tools we
use to make living things
better)
Cell
Smallest living unit of an
organism
Grow, reproduce, use
energy, adapt, respond to
their environment
Cell
Many cannot be seen with
the naked eye
A cell may be an entire
organism or it may be one of
billions of cells that make up
the organism
Cells
Divided and classified in
many ways
One common classification
method is whether the cell
has or doesn’t have a
nucleus
Nucleus
Relatively large structure
with a cell
Directs cell activities
Some simple single celled
organisms lack a nucleus
Common structures
Organelles – smaller parts
of the cell with specific
functions – little organs
Cell membrane – acts as
a gatekeeper
Cell membrane
Controls what enters and
leaves the cell
Plants, algae and bacteria
typically have a tough outer
structure known as a cell
wall
Cell wall
Provides additional structure
and protects the cell
Animal cells do not have
walls
Cytoplasm
Organelles are surrounded
by a jelly like substance
Mostly water
Nucleus
Largest and most identifiable
part of the cell
Nucleus
Controls activity of the cell
Round or oval structure
Typically found in the middle
of the cell
Appears darker than
surrounding material
Nucleus
Brain of the cell
Gene altering – gene
therapy- genetic engineering
- takes place in nucleus
Nucleus
Contains DNA which is the
blueprint or “pattern” for the
organism
Other organelles
Vacuoles
Chloroplasts in plants
Vacuole
Large organelle, without
specific shape
Store waste or raw materials
Chloroplast
Found in plants and some
other organisms
Contains chlorophyll
Other organelles
Ribosomes
Mitochondria
Golgi bodies
Endoplasmic reticulum
Lysosomes