Biology Cell Structure

Understanding the Basic Unit of Life

Definition of a Cell
• A cell is the smallest basic unit of life that is
responsible for all of life’s processes.
Include a labeled diagram of an animal cell with the following parts:
- Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
- Nucleus
- Cell membrane
- Mitochondrion
- Golgi apparatus
- Ribosomes
- Cytoplasm
Functions of Cell Components (Part 1)
• 1. Nucleus: A cellular organelle that is
responsible for controlling all cell activities
and storage of genetic information.
• 2. Cell Membrane: A selectively permeable
membrane that controls substances entering
and leaving the cell.
Functions of Cell Components (Part 2)
• 3. Cytoplasm: It is the site for cell activities.
• 4. Mitochondria: Rod-shaped structures that
are sites for respiration processes.
Functions of Cell Components (Part 3)
• 5. Ribosomes: Proteins are made here.
• 6. Golgi Apparatus: Carries proteins such as
enzymes from the site of synthesis.
• 7. Endoplasmic Reticulum: A network of
membranes used for transportation of
substances within the cytoplasm.
Plant Cell
What is a Plant Cell?
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental
factors from other eukaryotic organisms. Both plant and animal
cells contain a nucleus along with similar organelles. One of the
distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall
outside the cell membrane.
Plant Cell Diagram
The plant cell is rectangular and comparatively larger than the
animal cell. Even though plant and animal cells are eukaryotic
and share a few cell organelles, plant cells are quite distinct
when compared to animal cells as they perform different
functions. Some of these differences can be clearly understood
when the cells are examined under an electron microscope.
Plant Cell
• Plant Cell Structure
• Just like different organs within the body, plant cell structure
includes various components known as cell organelles that
perform different functions to sustain itself. These organelles
include:
• Cell Wall
• It is a rigid layer which is composed of polysaccharides cellulose,
pectin and hemicellulose. It is located outside the cell
membrane. It also comprises glycoproteins and polymers such as
lignin, cutin, or suberin.
• The primary function of the cell wall is to protect and provide
structural support to the cell. The plant cell wall is also involved in
protecting the cell against mechanical stress and providing form
and structure to the cell. It also filters the molecules passing in and
out of it.
• The formation of the cell wall is guided by microtubules. It consists
of three layers, namely, primary, secondary and the middle lamella.
The primary cell wall is formed by cellulose laid down by enzymes
• Cell membrane
• It is the semi-permeable membrane that is
present within the cell wall. It is composed of
a thin layer of protein and fat.
• The cell membrane plays an important role in
regulating the entry and exit of specific
substances within the cell.
• For instance, cell membrane keeps toxins from
entering inside, while nutrients and essential
minerals are transported across.
• Nucleus
• The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure
that is present only in eukaryotic cells. The
vital function of a nucleus is to store DNA or
hereditary information required for cell
division, metabolism and growth.
• Nucleolus: It manufactures cells’ protein-
producing structures and ribosomes.
• Nucleopore: Nuclear membrane is perforated
with holes called nucleopore that allow
proteins and nucleic acids to pass through.
• Plastids
They are membrane-bound organelles that have their own DNA.
They are necessary to store starch and to carry out the process of
photosynthesis. It is also used in the synthesis of many molecules,
which form the building blocks of the cell. Some of the vital types
of plastids and their functions are stated below:
• Leucoplasts
They are found in the non-photosynthetic tissue of plants. They
are used for the storage of protein, lipid and starch.
• Chloroplasts
It is an elongated organelle enclosed by phospholipid membrane.
The chloroplast is shaped like a disc and the stroma is the fluid
within the chloroplast that comprises a circular DNA. Each
chloroplast contains a green coloured pigment called chlorophyll
required for the process of photosynthesis. The chlorophyll
absorbs light energy from the sun and uses it to transform carbon
dioxide and water into glucose.
• Chromoplasts
They are heterogeneous, coloured plastid which is responsible
for pigment synthesis and for storage in photosynthetic
eukaryotic organisms. Chromoplasts have red, orange and
yellow coloured pigments which provide colour to all ripe fruits
and flowers.
• Central Vacuole
It occupies around 30% of the cell’s volume in a mature plant
cell. Tonoplast is a membrane that surrounds the central
vacuole. The vital function of the central vacuole apart from
storage is to sustain turgor pressure against the cell wall. The
central vacuole consists of cell sap. It is a mixture of salts,
enzymes and other substances.
• Golgi Apparatus
They are found in all eukaryotic cells, which are involved in
distributing synthesised macromolecules to various parts of the
cell.
• Ribosomes
They are the smallest membrane-bound organelles which
comprise RNA and protein. They are the sites for protein
synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of the
cell.
• Mitochondria
They are the double-membraned organelles found in the
cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells. They provide energy by
breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they
are also referred to as the “Powerhouse of the cell.”
• Lysosome
Lysosomes are called suicidal bags as they hold digestive
enzymes in an enclosed membrane. They perform the function
of cellular waste disposal by digesting worn-out organelles,
food particles and foreign bodies in the cell. In plants, the role
of lysosomes is undertaken by the vacuoles.