Name: John Sebastian L.

Layosa Teacher:
Doc. Gladys
Section: 11 - Einstein Date: August
29, 2023

General Biology

1. Define Cell.

● A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life that is responsible for all of life's
processes. Cells are the structural, functional, and biological units of all living beings.
A cell can replicate itself independently. Hence, they are known as the building blocks
of life. Each cell contains a fluid called the cytoplasm, which is enclosed by a
membrane. Also present in the cytoplasm are several biomolecules like proteins,
nucleic acids and lipids. Moreover, cellular structures called cell organelles are
suspended in the cytoplasm.

2. Explain the postulates of the Cell theory.

● Cell theory is a universally accepted historical theory based on three principles
or postulates. Several scientists contributed to the development of cell theory
from the early seventeenth century through the mid nineteenth century. A
major technological contributor to the development of cell theory is the
invention and production of simple and compound microscopes that allowed
scientists to view the microscopic world clearly for the first time.

The three postulates of cell theory are the following: all living things are made
of at least one cell, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from
preexisting cells.

3. Describe the structure and function of subcellular organelles.

● An organelle is a subcellular structure that has one or more specific jobs to
perform in the cell, much like an organ does in the body. Among the more
important cell organelles are the nuclei, which store genetic information;
mitochondria, which produce chemical energy; and ribosomes, which
assemble proteins.

An organelle is a specific structure within a cell, and there are many different
types of organelles. Organelles are also called vesicles within a cell. And they
really have a function that's important, because we need to compartmentalize
all the functions within the cell. So there needs to be a membrane around the
mechanisms for making a different product within a cell. So really, organelles
are all membrane-bound. And they separate one function from another
function. So for example, the mitochondrion has the function to produce
energy, and the lysosome has the function of producing small molecules from
large molecules, from breaking those things down. They need to be
compartmentalized because the mitochondrion all of its pathways, all of its
proteins and enzymes in it, to convert one chemical to another, and the
lysosome needs an acid pH. And if those things were to mix, none of the
functions would be produced at all. So that really is the heart and soul of an
organelle: To be compartmentalized and allow a high concentration of proteins
or acid, or whatever to create that environment so that a particular function can
be performed.

4. Distinguish prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells according to their features.

● There are two basic types of cells, prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells are usually smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells. They
do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. In prokaryotic
cells, the DNA, or genetic material, forms a single large circle that coils up on
itself. The DNA is located in the main part of the cell.

Eukaryotic Cells
Eukaryotic cells usually have multiple chromosomes, composed of DNA and
protein. Some eukaryotic species have just a few chromosomes, others have
close to 100 or more. These chromosomes are protected within the nucleus. In
addition to a nucleus, eukaryotic cells include other membrane-bound
structures called organelles. Organelles allow eukaryotic cells to be more
specialized than prokaryotic cells.

The main difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells is that

eukaryotic cells have a nucleus. The nucleus is where cells store their DNA,
which is the genetic material. The nucleus is surrounded by a membrane.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. Instead, their DNA floats around
inside the cell. Organisms with prokaryotic cells are called prokaryotes. All
prokaryotes are single-celled (unicellular) organisms. Bacteria and Archaea
are the only prokaryotes. Organisms with eukaryotic cells are called
eukaryotes. Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are eukaryotes. All
multicellular organisms are eukaryotes. Eukaryotes may also be single-celled.
Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have structures in common. All cells
have a plasma membrane, ribosomes, cytoplasm, and DNA. The plasma
membrane, or cell membrane, is the phospholipid layer that surrounds the cell
and protects it from the outside environment. Ribosomes are the
non-membrane bound organelles where proteins are made, a process called
protein synthesis. The cytoplasm is all the contents of the cell inside the cell
membrane, not including the nucleus.

5. Compare and contrast the following cell types.:

a. plant cell
b. animal cell
c. bacterial cell

● Plant Cell

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental factors from an
animal cell. Similar to the animal cell, the plant cell comprises the nucleus and other
membrane-bound cellular organelles.
● Animals Cell

Animal cells are eukaryotic cells that contain a membrane-bound nucleus. They are
different from plant cells in several fundamental factors. These cells lack a cell wall,
plastids and other cellular organelles.

● Bacterial Cell

Bacteria are unicellular, living organisms which have been grouped into the
prokaryotic cell, as these organisms lack a few membrane-bound organelles and the
nucleus, which is considered to be one of the most important cell organelles.
According to the evolution theory, bacteria were the very first organisms to evolve on
earth and therefore, this group of living organisms is considered as one of the oldest
forms of life on earth.

Plant, Animal and Bacterial Cells: Comparisons

Plant cell Animal cell Bacterial cell

Type of cell

Eukaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells Prokaryotic cells

The shape of the cell

Rectangular shaped Round or Oval shaped Are of different shapes-

cocci, bacillus, vibrio,
spirilla.

Cell wall
present absent present

Nucleus

present present absent

Mitochondria

present present absent

Ribosomes

Larger 80s Ribosomes Larger 80s Ribosomes Smaller 70s Ribosomes

Centrioles

absent present absent

Vacuoles

Larger vacuoles Smaller vacuoles Larger vacuoles

Mode of Nutrition

Autotrophs Heterotrophs Both heterotrophs and

autotrophs

Mode of Reproduction

Both sexual and asexual Sexual reproduction in Both sexual and asexual
mode of reproduction. higher animals and mode of reproduction.
asexual in lower animals.