CELLS

Structure and Function

Cell = smallest unit of life

Two Major Cell Types

Cell Type
Prokaryotic
Eukaryotic

Example
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals

Prokaryotic Cell

Eukaryotic Cell
(protist, animal)

Eukaryotic Cell
(plant)

Differences Between Cell Types

Prokaryotic Cell

Eukaryotic Cell

Single circular
chromosome

Multiple linear
chromosomes

Chromosome found
in a cytoplasmic
region called the
nucleoid.

Chromosomes found
in a membranebound nucleus.

No internal
membranes
Some infolded
plasma membrane

Extensive network of
internal membranes

Common Components
and Cellular Organization
Plasma Membrane
boundary surrounding the cell
Genetic material: DNA
located in a membrane-bound nucleus
for eukaryotic cells

Cytoplasm
Semi-fluid matrix containing enzymes
and organelles
(enzyme = biological catalyst)

Cytoskeleton
network of filaments and tubules in cytoplasm
that maintains cell shape, allows movement

Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
All prokaryotic cells contain

Structure
Plasma
Membrane

Function
Regulates flow of
substances into and out
of cell

Nucleoid

Cytoplasmic region
containing genetic
material

Cytoplasm

Cytosol: fluid
Ribosomes
Enzymes

Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
Other possible prokaryotic structures

Structure

Function

Cell Wall

Supports cell
Maintains shape

Capsule

Protects from drying

Protects against
white blood cells

Infolded Plasma
Membranes

Metabolism
Cell division

Features of
Prokaryotic Cells
Other possible prokaryotic structures

Structure
Bacterial
Flagellum
Plasmid

Function
Movement
Small circular DNA
Replicates
independently

Applying Your Knowledge

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cell Wall
Flagellum
Capsule
Plasmid
Nucleoid

In bacterial cells
where is the genetic material located?
which one is used for movement?
which one provides structural support
for the cell?

Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure

Function(s)

1. Regulates passage of
Plasma
materials into and out of cell
Membrane
2. Cell-Cell Recognition

Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure
Cell Wall
(protists,
fungi, plants)

Function(s)
1. Controls cell shape,
protects, supports

Functions of Eukaryotic Cell Features

Structure
Nucleus

Function(s)
1. Carrier of genetic material
DNA + protein = chromatin
2. Governs cell activities
3. Directs cell reproduction
4. Surrounded by
Membrane = nuclear
envelope
5. Contains nucleolus
produces ribosomes
which synthesize proteins

SER

RER

Functions of
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure

Function(s)

Rough
1. Associated ribosomes produce
Endoplasmic
proteins
Reticulum (RER) 2. Prepares proteins for export
Smooth
Endoplasmic
Reticulum (SER)

1.
2.
3.

Lipid Synthesis
Drug detoxification
Transport of proteins from RER

Functions of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure

Function(s)

Golgi
Apparatus

Collects, modifies, packages and

distributes proteins and lipids from ER

Functions of
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure
Lysosome

Function(s)
Contains digestive enzymes
to digest food in protists or
destroy aging organelles

Endomembrane System
Rough
Endoplasmic
Reticulum

Smooth
Endoplasmic
Reticulum

Vesicle
Golgi
Apparatus

Vesicle

Lysosome

Vesicle

Plasma
Membrane

Functions of
Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure
Peroxisome

Function
Removes harmful oxidants
from cells

Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure
Mitochondrion

Function
Captures energy from
organic molecules,
producing ATP

Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure

Function

Chloroplast
Photosynthesis: Uses light
(protists, plants) energy to produce organic
molecules

Functions
of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure
Cytoskeleton

Function(s)
1.
2.
3.

Maintains cell shape

Anchors organelles and proteins
Allows for organelle movement
and cellular movement in some
cell types

Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure

Function

Centriole

Gives rise to basal bodies that

produce cilia or flagella

Functions of
Eukaryotic Cell
Features

Structure Function(s)
Vacuole

1. Central vacuole (plants) stores

waste, maintains turgidity.
2. Contractile vacuole (protists)
maintains water balance.
3. Food vacuole (protists) fuses with
lysosome for digestion.

Functions of Eukaryotic
Cell Features

Structure
Cilia and
Flagella

Function(s)
1. Move substances across
cell surface in lungs,
fallopian tubes
2. Cell movement in sperm,
protists

Applying Your Knowledge

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Cilium
Rough ER
Golgi apparatus
Smooth ER
Lysosome

A. Which organelle produces proteins that

will be exported from the cell?
B. Which organelle contains digestive
enzymes?
C. Which site acts as a protein packaging
and distribution center?

Thought Questions
1. What are similarities for
a. eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
b. animal and plant cells?
2. What are differences between
a. eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
b. animal and plant cells?

Analogy
If the cell were a factory
the ____________________ would be
(name a cell component)

a _____________________________.
(name a part of a factory)

Part of Cell

Part of Factory

Capsule

Security Gate

Cell Wall

Outer Fence around the factory

Chloroplast

Solar Panel

Cytoskeleton

Moving Belt where items are inspected

Steel Support, Interior Walls

Cilia/Flagella

Conveyor Belt, Elevator/Escalator

Enzyme

Worker; Assemblage Machinery

Golgi Complex

Distribution/Packaging Department
Mailroom

Mitochondrion

Generator, Engine Room, Power Source

Nucleoid

Storage of pre-production material

Nucleus

Supervisors Office, Boss

Corporate Office, Central Operations

Plasma Membrane

Loading/Unloading Dock, Inner Wall, Door

Ribosomes

Assembly Line Track

RER

Production Line

SER

Shipping Dock

Cellular Interactions
Signal Transduction: passing a signal
from the cell surface to the interior
First messenger binds to
Cell Surface Receptor
Receptor signals nearby
Regulator Protein
Regulator activates
nearby enzyme
Enzyme catalyzes formation
of Second Messenger
Second Messenger initiates
Cellular Response

Cellular Interactions
Cell Adhesion: joining of cells
controlled by proteins called
Cellular Adhesion Molecules
(CAMS)
important in
Inflammatory Response
Placenta Formation
Learning and Memory

Lack of cell adhesion is

implicated in cancer
and arthritis.