Components of the Cell System
To know prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and their functions
How does the cell work as a system responsible for maintaining life?
Prokaryotes vs.
Eukaryotes
Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Components of the
Cell System
Structures and their Functions
Two Basic Types of Cells form a
great diversity
Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Prokaryotic Cells - a simple but
effective compartment
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Eubacteria and
Archaea
Cell membrane,
cytoplasm,
ribosomes, and
DNA
Eukaryotic Cells - A compartment
full of compartments
 Animals,
plants,
fungi, and
protists
 Contain a
nucleus and
many organelles
1. Cell Membrane
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Outside boundary of cell
Double layer of FAT molecules
(“phospholipid bilayer”)
Proteins embedded within;
have different functions
Protects cell and regulates
what enters and exits
Does form seem to fit function?
2. Cell Wall
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Plants, some fungi,
some bacteria, some
protists have this
Outside of membrane
Provides structure
Made of carbohydrates
(mainly cellulose, which
we know as fiber)
Does form seem to fit
function?
Holds DNA and
controls the cells
activities.
 Does form seem to
fit function?
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3. Nucleus
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Pores in the nuclear
membrane control
flow of materials in
and out.
Transmission EM of Nucleus.
3.5 Nucleolus
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Region within the
nucleus where
ribosomes are
formed
Ribosomes?… so
ALSO where
proteins are also
formed!
4. Cytoplasm
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Present in all cells
Jelly-like mixture of water,
proteins, salt and sugar
AND organelles.
“Cytosol” = just jelly
Ok to use inter-changeably,
but know the difference
Does form seem to fit
function?
The Organelles
Smaller, specialized
compartments within a
cell
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5. Mitochondria
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Where energy stored in
food is converted for use
in the cell
Number of mitochondria
in a cell depends on the
purpose of the cell
Muscle cells 
 Skin cells 
Does form seem to fit
function? Many reactions
happen at the inner
membrane. Need a hint?
Ask me!
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6. Chloroplasts
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Chlorophyll - green
pigment that allows
photosynthesis
Inside, contains flattened
sacs “thylakoids”, where
photosynthesis occurs
Only in plants… though bluegreen pigment like chlorophyll
found in some bacteria
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Does form seem to fit
function? Many reactions
happen at the inner
membrane. Need a hint?
Ask me!
7. Ribosomes: Not compartments!
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No membrane
Composed of two
subunits
Protein structures
where more proteins
are made
The most abundant of
all cell parts
Does form seem to fit
function?
8. Endoplasmic Reticulum
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A large network of
membranes that acts like a
highway to allow
molecules to move
throughout cell
Vesicles break off ER to
transmit substances
around cell
Two types…

Does form seem to fit function?
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8a. Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum
 Studded
with
ribosomes!
 Processes
proteins to export
from the cell
8b. Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum
 No
ribosomes!
 Makes lipids
(fats and
steroids)
 Detoxification in
liver cells
9. Golgi Bodies/Apparatus
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System of flattened sacs
called cisternae
Works with the RER to
modify, package and
release proteins
Spawns vesicles to
transport materials to the
cell membrane
Does form seem to fit function?
Think about the location.
10. Vacuoles
In plant cells: large
and used for water +
nutrient storage
 In animal cells: small
and numerous and
contain a variety of
substances
 Does form seem to fit
function?
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11. Lysosomes
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Small, abundant sacs
Contain chemicals for
digesting waste,
toxins, or useless
organelles
Formed from Golgi
Common in animal
and fungus cells
Does form seem to fit
function?
How do we know
all of this?
The Cell Theory, developed in 1839
The microscope opened a world of discovery of life
never seen before. By 1839, scientists Matthias
Schleiden, Theodor Schwann and Rudolf Virchow
concluded the following as the….
The Cell Theory
1. All living things are made of cells.
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure
and function in living things.
3. All cells come from other cells.
Summary Activities
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Skim through your notes. Write a short paragraph
explaining what you are taking away from this lecture. It
can be as specific or as broad as you like.
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Finish The Cell: Structures and Functions (Analogy)
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Next Day:
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Complete the cell structures puzzle. See if you can match each
function to the structure of the organelle! Does form fit function? If
so, how?
POGIL activity with your group, due in a week. Quiz to come!