Erick Camacho Cell

Structure
• Cell theory: the basic unit of structure
and function of all living organisms is the cell.

• Virchow’s Theory (1855): all cells

arise from pre-existing cells by cell division.

• Partially Permeable: refers to the

thin membrane surrounding all cells and
controls the exchange between the cell and
its environment; allows a controlled traffic of
materials across it in both directions.

• Light Microscope: uses light as a

source of radiation

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Structure
• Electron Microscope: uses electrons
as a source of radiation.

• Ultrastructure: the fine or detailed

structure of a cell as revealed by the electron
microscope.

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Structure

Similar Features of Plant and Different Features of Plant

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Animal Cells and Animal Cells
•Each cell is surrounded by a • The animal cell contains the
plasma membrane. centriole, which specializes in
•Each cell has a nucleus. nuclear division.
•Each cell has a mass of loosely • The plant cells are general
coiled threads known as larger and are surrounded by a
chromatin. cell wall outside the plasma
•Both contain nucleolus, which is membrane.
made of loops of DNA from • The plant cell contains
several chromosomes. plasmodesmata, which links
•Both contain cytoplasm, which is neighboring plant cells.
an aqueous material, varying in • The plant cells also contain a
consistency. large central vacuole and
•Both contain organelles, which chloroplasts.
are defined as functionally and • Plant cells also contain the
structurally distinct parts of a cell. tonoplast, which control the
•Both contain mitochondria, which exchange between the vacuole
specialize in aerobic respiration. and the cytoplasm.
•Both contain the Golgi apparatus,
which is part of a complex internal

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sorting and distribution system
within the cell.

• Nucleus: the largest cell organelle;

surrounded by two membranes known as the
nuclear envelope.

• Centrioles: a hollow cylinder about

0.4 µm long, formed from a ring of
microtubules.

o These microtubules are used to grow the spindle

fibers for nuclear division.

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Structure
• Golgi Apparatus: a stack of flattened sacs. This
stack is constantly being formed at one end from
vesicles which bud off from the ER, and broken down at
the other end to form Golgi Vesicles.

o The apparatus collects, processes and sorts

molecules, read for transport in Golgi Vesicles
either to other parts of the cell or out of the cell.

o Golgi Vesicles are also used to make lysosomes.

• Ribosomes: the components of cells that

make proteins from all amino acids.

• Lysosomes: spherical sacs, surrounded by a single

membrane and having no internal structure.
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o They contain hydrolytic enzymes which must be
kept separate from the rest of the cell to prevent
damage.

o They are responsible for the breakdown of

unwanted structures.

• Mitochondria: bean-shaped with inner membrane.

They break down sugar molecules into energy. Their
main function is to carry out the later stages of aerobic
respiration, and as a result they make ATP, which is the
universal energy carrier in cells.

• Endoplasmic Reticulum: there are two types of

Endoplasmic Reticulum:

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o Rough ER: where the ER is covered by ribosomes;
transports the proteins throughout the cell.

o Smooth ER : lacks ribosomes and appears

smooth; synthesizes lipids and steroids,
metabolizes carbohydrates and steroids, and
regulates calcium concentration

• Plasma membrane: separates the interior of all

cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane
is selectively-permeable to ions and organic molecules
and controls the movement of substances in and out of
cells.

• Cilia: long, thin extensions that can move in a

wave-like manner.
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o A few of these extensions are called flagella.

o If there are many of them and they are relatively

short then they are known as cilia.

• Eye-piece graticule: a transparent

scale, usually with 100 divisions, placed with
the object on the microscope eyepiece so
that it can be seen at the same time as the
object and be measured.

• Stage micrometer: used to calibrate

the eye-piece graticule.

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• Magnification: the number of times larger an
image is compared with the real size of the object.

o Magnification =

• Resolution: defined as the ability to

distinguish between two separate points.

• Electromagnetic Spectrum: the

range of different wavelengths.

o The longer the electromagnetic waves, the lower

their frequency.

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o Wavelengths change with energy: the greater the
energy, the shorter the wavelength.

• The limit of resolution is about one

half the wavelength of the radiation
used to view the specimen.

• The electron microscope is used mainly

because electrons are negatively charged
particles and free electrons behave like
electromagnetic wavelength.

• They are a very suitable form of

radiation for microscopy because

o their wavelength is extremely short

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o they are negatively charged particles, which
means that they can be focused easily using
electromagnets.

• There are two types of electron

microscopes:

o The TEM (transmission electron microscope): the

beam of electrons is passed through the specimen
before being viewed.

o The SEM (scanning electron microscope): the

electron beam is used to scan the surfaces of
strictures and only the reflected beam is observed.

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• The one disadvantage of using a SEM is that it
cannot achieve the same resolution as a transmission
electron microscope.

• Prokaryotes: organisms that lack nuclei.

o Prokaryotes are referred to as bacteria.

• Eukaryotes: organisms whose cells

possess nuclei.

o Eukaryotes are referred to as animals, plants,

fungi etc.

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• Specialized cells show division of labor

by being grouped into tissues. The tissues are
then further grouped into organs and the
organs into systems.

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• Tissue: a collection of cells, together
with any intercellular secretion produced by
them, that is specialized to perform one or
more particular functions.

o The study of tissues is called histology.

• Organ: part of the body which forms a structural

and functional unit and is composed of more than one
tissue.

• System: a collection or organs with a particular

function.

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