BIOL 205 Ø 11 (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY)
LECTURE NOTE ON CELL TYPES
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
T.J.R. FAULKNER COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA
Allen Johnny Borlay, Ph.D.
Course Instructor
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CELL DEFINITION
A structure containing a mass of cytoplasm surrounded by
a semi-permeable membrane called plasma membrane is
called a cell
It is the basic morphological, functional, and reproductive
unit of all unicellular and multicellular organisms
It is an autonomous and dynamic system that is
characterized by basic life manifestations (metabolism,
growth, irritability, reproduction, and development)
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THE CELL (History and Origin)
Robert Hooke (1665), using his light microscope, discovered that a section of cork is
made up of small cavities surrounded by firm walls
He used the term “cell” for the first time to describe his investigations on the
“texture of a piece of cork”
A. Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) observed various unicellular organisms and cells
like bacteria, protozoans, red blood cells, sperm, etc.
He observed nucleus in some erythrocytes, and all this was made possible with the
improved microscopes
Schleiden and Schwann (1838/9) formulated the cell theory in which they
destinated plant and animal cells as elementary constituents of all living organisms.
Schwann, T. (1839) after examining a variety of animals and plant tissues → all
living organisms are composed of cells
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The Cellular Level of Organization
Living things are constructed of cells
Living things may be unicellular or multicellular
Cell structure is diverse, but all cells share common characteristics
Cells are small so that they can exchange materials with their surroundings
The Cell Theory:
In 1855 Virchow revised the cell theory and summarized it into three
general points:
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in organisms.
3. All cells come only from other cells.
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Only TWO Basic Types of
Cells
Prokaryotic cells
The “studio Eukaryotic cells
apartment” of The “mansion”
cells of cells
WHY DO THE COURSE CELL
BIOLOGY?
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Prokaryotic cells
What is a Characteristics of Prokaryotic
Prokaryotic Cell ? Cell
Lack a nuclear membrane.
Single-cell with nuclear
Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast, and
material but no nuclear
membrane or membrane lysosomes are absent.
bound organelles
Genetic material is present on a single
→ Bacteria and Archaea. chromosome.
Photosynthetic Important constituents (histone proteins) of
prokaryotes → eukaryotic chromosomes, are lacking.
cyanobacteria that Cell wall is made up of carbohydrates and amino
perform photosynthesis acids
Plasma membrane acts as the mitochondrial
Consists of a single
membrane carrying respiratory enzymes.
membrane→ rxns occur
within the cytoplasm
Divide asexually by binary fission. 6
Can be free-living or The sexual mode of reproduction involves
Prokaryotic Cell Structure
Do not have a
nuclear membrane
The genetic
material is present
in a region in the
cytoplasm known
as the nucleoid
May be spherical,
rod-shaped, or
spiral.
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Prokaryotic Cell Structure
cont.
Capsule– outer protective covering Pili– hair-like outgrowths that attach to the
found in the bacterial cells, in addition surface of other bacterial cells
to the cell wall
Flagella– are long structures in the form of
Aid → moisture retention, protects a whip, that help in the locomotion of a cell
the cell when engulfed, & aid in Ribosomes– are involved in protein
attachment of cells to nutrients and synthesis
surfaces.
Plasmids– Plasmids are non-chromosomal
Cell Wall– outermost layer of the cell
DNA structures.
which gives shape to the cell.
Nucleoid Region– region in the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm– composed of enzymes,
where the genetic material is present.
salts, cell organelles and is a gel-like
component→
A prokaryotic cell lacks certain
organelles like mitochondria,
Cell Membrane– This layer surrounds
endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi
the cytoplasm and regulates the entry bodies. 8
and exit of substances in the cells.
Four main component
Prokaryotic cells
Plasma Membrane- It is an outer protective covering of phospholipid
molecules which separates the cell from the surrounding environment.
Cytoplasm- It is a jelly-like substance present inside the cell. All the cell
organelles are suspended in it.
DNA- It is the genetic material of the cell. All the prokaryotes possess a
circular DNA. It directs what proteins the cell creates. It also regulates
the actions of the cell.
Ribosomes- Protein synthesis occurs here.
Some prokaryotic cells possess cilia and flagella which helps in
locomotion
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Eukaryotic cells
Characteristics of Eukaryotic
Cell
What is a
Eukaryotic cells have the nucleus enclosed within
Eukaryotic Cell??
the nuclear membrane.
Eukaryotic cells have The cell has mitochondria.
a nucleus enclosed
within the nuclear Flagella and cilia are the locomotory organs in a
membrane and form eukaryotic cell.
large and complex
organisms A cell wall is the outermost layer of the eukaryotic
cells.
Protozoa, fungi, The cells divide by a process called mitosis.
plants, and animals all
have eukaryotic cells. The eukaryotic cells contain a cytoskeletal structure.
The nucleus contains a single, linear DNA, which 10
Eukaryotic cells Structure
Plasma membrane → Cytoskeleton→ present inside the cytoplasm,
separates the cell from the which consists of microfilaments, microtubules,
outside environment and fibers to provide perfect shape to the cell,
anchor the organelles, and stimulate cell
It comprises specific embedded movement
proteins, which help in the
exchange of substances in and Endoplasmic Reticulum → a network of
out of the cell. membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a
eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear
Cell Wall → a rigid structure membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached
and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis
present outside the plant cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum is of two types
Provides shape to the cell and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum contains
helps in cell-to-cell interaction ribosomes
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum that lacks
Protective layer that protects the
ribosomes and is therefore smooth
cell from any injury or pathogen Nucleus
attacks The nucleoplasm enclosed within the nucleus
contains DNA and proteins
Composed of cellulose,
The nuclear envelop consists of two layers- the 11
hemicellulose, pectins, proteins, outer membrane and the inner membrane.
Eukaryotic cells Structure cont.
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