Cells

Objectives
∙ Compare the structure of the generalised plant and
animal cells, and selected microbes;
∙ Relate the structure of the organelles to their functions;
∙ Differentiate between plant and animal cells;
∙ Explain the importance of cell specialisation in multi-
cellular organisms.
 Cells
∙ The cell is the basic unit of structure and function of
living organisms.
∙ Unicellular organisms have bodies composed of one cell
only.
∙ Multicellular organisms have bodies composed of many
cells.
∙ Cells are viewed with a microscope, as they are too
small to be viewed with the naked eyes.
Typical Plant Cell
 Plant Cell – Structure and Function
∙ Cell wall (Plant cells only): freely permeable cellulose
wall. Supports and protects cell.
∙ Cell membrane: selectively permeable protein and lipid
layer. Controls what enters and leaves cells. It allows the
passage of water by osmosis. It allows diffusion of
substances, e.g. oxygen.
∙ Mitochondrion: rod shaped with smooth outer membrane
and folded inner membrane. Contains respiratory
enzymes. Site of respiration.
∙ Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance, 80% water, 20%
dissolved substances. Supports organelles and
 Plant Cell – Structure and Function
∙ Vacuole: contains cell sap, a solution of sugars and
other substances. Supports cell when turgid. Stores cell
waste.
∙ Nucleus: essential for cell division. Chromosomes
contain cell information to control characteristics and
functioning of cell. Genes code for the manufacture of
proteins making the body structures and enzymes which
control cell activity.
Typical Animal Cell
Typical Animal Cell
 Animal Cell – Structure and Function
● Glycogen granules (animal cells only): food store
● Vacuole: may contain water, food or cell secretions.
● Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis.
● Endoplasmic reticulum:network allowing passage of
substances within the cell. Ribosomes may be attached
to it.

N.B. nucleus + cytoplasm = protoplasm

 Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
Plant Cells Animal Cells
Regular shape Can have a variety of shapes
Have a cell wall made of cellulose No cell wall
Usually have chloroplasts containing
chlorophyll No chloroplasts or chlorophyll

Usually
vacuole have one large
containing permanent
cell sap. Have
whosesmall temporary
contents vary. vacuoles

Contains starch grains as food store. Contain

store. glycogen granules as food

Nucleus pushed to the side Nucleus central

Cytoplasm
the cell by is pushed
the to so
vacuole, theit edges
is of Cytoplasm
cell. is present throughout the
normally confined to a thin layer.
 Similarities Between Plant and Animal Cells
∙ Living membrane (called the cell membrane) controls
entry and exit from the cell.
∙ Both plant and animal cells have nuclei
∙ Both plant and animal cells have cytoplasm
∙ Both plant and animal cells have mitochondria.
 Cell Specialisation
∙ Unicellular organisms, e.g. protists, have bodies which
consist of one unspecialised cell. This is capable of
carrying out all essential life processes.
∙ Multicellular organisms have bodies composed of many
cells. For multicellular organisms to carry out all essential
life processes efficiently, cells in their bodies have
become specialised (differentiated) to do specific jobs,
e.g. muscle cells contract to bring about movement,
nerve cells conduct nerve impulses.
∙ Similar cells then work together in groups called tissues,
e.g. bundles of muscle cells form muscle tissue.
 Cell Specialisation
● Different tissues group together to form specialised
organs. Each organ usually performs one particular
function, e.g. the heart pumps blood, though some may
perform more than one, e.g. the liver. Organs work
together in systems, e.g. the nervous system or the
digestive system. Systems work together to form a
multicellular organism.
● Therefore:
Cells → tissues → organs → systems → organism.
 Cell Specialisation

Ciliated epithelial cells: sweep out bacteria in mucus e.g.

from the windpipe/trachea.
 Sperm Cell

Sperm cell: Tail for swimming. Head contains genes from

father.
 Egg/Ovum

Egg cell/Ovum: Carries genes from mother.

 Muscle Cell

Muscle Cell: Contracts to bring about movement.

 Red Blood Cells
∙ Red blood cells: Biconcave discs, lacking nuclei.
Contains haemoglobin. Transports oxygen as
oxyhaemoglobin.
 Nerve Cell
Nerve cell: Carry nerve impulses/ transmits messages.
 Connective Tissue

Connective tissue: connects between body organs and

‘packs’ between them.
 Animal Tissues
∙ A tissue is a group of similar cells and their secretions.
There are four main types in animals:
∙ Epithelial tissue: covers and protects surfaces. Some
have cilia to move substances.
∙ Connective tissue: that connects between body organs
and ‘packs’ between them.
∙ Nervous Tissue: conducts nerve impulses around the
body for coordination.
∙ Muscle Tissue: contracts to bring about movement
 Plant Tissues
Name composition where found functions

Epidermal tissue Sheets of flattened Around the outside of Protects surfaces of

epidermal cells leaves, young stems and leaves, stems, roots
roots

Packing tissue Round or rectangular cells Inside stems and roots Fills spaces in stems and
with large vacuoles called roots, supports non-woody
parenchyma cells plants when turgid, stores
food

Photosynthetic tissue Round or rectangular cells Mainly in leaves Makes food by

containing chloroplasts photosynthesis
called mesophyll cells

Vascular tissue Long tubes called xylem In leaves, stems and roots Transport water and
and phloem sieve tubes mineral salts, provides
with companion cells support,
Transports dissolved food
substances.
 Systems
Systems are groups of organs that work together for the
whole body. In this course we will study the skeletal,
nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory and
reproductive systems. Together all the systems form the
organism, in this case, it is the whole human body.
 Systems
System Main Organs Main Functions

Digestive System Gut, liver, pancreas Digest and absorb food

Respiratory System Windpipe, lungs Take in oxygen, get rid

of carbon dioxide

Blood circulatory system Heart, blood vessels Transport substances

around the body

Excretory system Kidneys, bladder, liver Get rid of metabolic

wastes

Nervous system Brain, spinal cord Transmits messages,

coordination.

Reproductive system Testes, ovaries Produce offspring

Other Types of Cells
 Protista
Amoeba: The amoeba is a single cell. It has a nucleus and
cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is bounded by a very thin
membrane, and is divided into two parts: the outer part is
clear and jelly-like and is called the ectoplasm; the inner
part is granular and runny and is called the endoplasm.
Various structures float around in the endoplasm, these
include food vacuole, contractile vacuole.
The Amoeba
 Bacteria

Bacteria: are unicellular microorganisms with a cell wall and

DNA, but no distinct nucleus.
 Fungi

Fungi: are either parasites or saprophytes. They cause

many diseases of plants or animals, and are important
agents of decay in the carbon cycle.
Fungus Cell Structure
 Questions
∙ State the function of each of the following organelles:
chloroplast, mitochondrion, nucleus.
∙ Which of the structures listed below are found in (a)
animal cells only, (b) plant cells only (c) both plant and
animal cells? Cytoplasm, chloroplasts, starch grains,
nucleus, vacuole, glycogen granules, cell wall,
chromosomes, cell membrane, mitochondria.
∙ Explain each of the following words: tissue, organ,
multicellular, unicellular.
 Questions
∙ Why is it necessary for cells to specialize in the body?
∙ Why is photosynthetic tissue not found in animals, and
why is muscle tissue not found in plants?
∙ What features would enable a scientist to differentiate a
bacterial cell from other cells when viewed under a
microscope?