Cell Structure and Function
I.
II.
Review
A. Living things:
1. Are organized
2. Metabolize
3. Respond
4. Reproduce & develop
5. Adapt
B.
Cell
1. Smallest unit of life
2. Found in all organisms
Cells Have All The Characteristics Of Life
A. Organized
1. Prokaryotic
a.
Found only in Archaebacteria and Eubacteria (including
bacteria and cyanobacteria)
b.
Simple
i.
Most primitive
ii. Preceded eukaryotic on earth by 2 billion years
c.
Structures
i.
Cytoplasm matrix
ii. Plasma membrane: passage of molecules in and out
of cell
iii. Chromosomes containing DNA
2. Eukaryotic
a.
All organisms except Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
b.
Complex
c.
Structures
i.
Contains all of those in prokaryotic
ii. Organelles including nucleus
iii. More complex = more organelles
d.
Two types at most complex level
i.
Plant

Chloroplasts

Rigid cell wall: support and protection
ii. Animal

No chloroplasts

Cell membrane only

More likely to have centrioles & basal
bodies (lead to formation of cilia & flagella)
B.
Metabolize
1. All chemical & energy transformations that occur in cells in
performance of life's processes
2. Organelles & other structures involved at plant/animal level
a.
Nucleus: codes for protein synthesis
1
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Ribosomes – site of protein synthesis
Endoplasmic reticulum
i.
Rough - protein synthesis
ii. Smooth - lipid & other substance synthesis
Golgi apparatus - processing, packaging & secretion of
proteins
Vacuoles & Vesicles - storage of substances
Lysosomes - intracellular digestion
Mitochondrion - cellular respiration
Chloroplasts - Photosynthesis (Plants only)
C.
III.
Respond
1. Cellular structures involved
2. Cilia and flagella - movement of cell (Animals only)
D. Reproduce & Develop
1. Cellular structures involved
a.
Nucleus - cellular reproduction
b.
Nucleolus - ribosome formation, ribosome=RNA +
proteins, deliver blueprint to rest of cell
2. Theory of Biogenesis - Every cell comes from pre-existing cell
E.
Adapt
1. Cellular structures involved
Nucleus - cellular reproduction
Summary
A. Cells - basic unit of life
B.
Exhibit all characteristics of life
2