CELL

1. The structural, functional and biological unit of all organisms.

2. An autonomous self-replicating unit that may exist as functional independent unit of

life (as in the case of unicellular organism), or as sub-unit in a multicellular organism
(such as in plants and animals) that is specialized into carrying out particular functions
towards the cause of the organism as a whole.

3. A membrane bound structure containing biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins,

and polysaccharides.

Chloroplast
Structure
- composed of a double layer of modified membrane (protein,
chlorophyll, lipid)
- inner membrane invaginates to form layers called "grana"
(sing., granum) where chlorophyll is concentrated

Function - site of photosynthesis

chlorophyll
Carbon Dioxide + Water ---------------> Glucose + Oxygen
radiant energy (food)

Centriole
Structure - nine triplets of microtubules form one centriole
- two centrioles form one centrosome

Function - forms spindle fibres to separate chromosomes during cell

division
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Structure - sheets of unit membrane with ribosomes on the
outside
- forms a tubular network throughout the cell

Function - transports chemicals between cells and within cells

- provides a large surface area for the organization
of chemical reactions and synthesis

Ribosome
Structure - non-membraneous, spherical bodies composed of
RNA (ribonucleic acid) and protein enzymes

Function - site of protein synthesis

Golgi Apparatus
Structure - stacks of flattened sacs of unit membrane (cisternae)
- vesicles pinch off the edges

Function - modifies chemicals to make them functional

- secretes chemicals in tiny vesicles
- stores chemicals
- may produce endoplasmic reticulum

Mitochondrion
Structure - composed of modified double unit membrane (protein, lipid)
- inner membrane infolded to form cristae

Function - site of cellular respiration ie. the release of chemical

energy from food

Glucose + Oxygen ------> Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)

Lysosome
Structure - membrane bound bag containing hydrolytic enzymes
- hydrolytic enzyme = (water split biological catalyst)
i.e. using water to split chemical bonds
Function - break large molecules into small molecules by
inserting a molecule of water into the chemical bond