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MODULE IN BIOLOGY

CELL AND ITS COMPONENTS

Prepared by: Emmanuel J. Bacud, SLU

Supplementary Materials: Video presentation about cell, visual aids (cell and its parts), Slide presentation
Time Allocation: 90-120 minutes
I.) DEFINITION OF CELL
Cell- is the basic structural, functional, and reproductive unit of life. Cells are present in all living things. The term
cell was first introduced in 1655 by Robert Hooke, an English botanist. Examining thin slices of cork from the bark
of an oak tree with a crude compound microscope, Hooke observed empty, honeycomb-like boxes which he called
cells because they resembled the boxlike rooms of monks in monasteries. What he actually observed, though he was
not aware, were the outermost covering of plant cells now called the cell wall. Hook verified the findings of Anton Van
Leeuwenhoek and published his observations in a book called Micrographia.
Cytology- is a branch of biology that deals with the study of cells.
II.) THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CELL DISCOVERY

The history of cell started with the invention of the microscope in the 1600s. Because of the limitations of
the human eyes, scientists during this period concentrated on developing tools to examine very small objects.
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1623-1723), a Dutch naturalist and craftsman, is known to have made over 500
microscopes. With his microscopes, Leeuwenhoek observed what he called animacules-known today as
protozoa and bacteria-in pond water, rainwater, and in human saliva. In 1677, he described the spermatozoa
of both insects and humans. With these significant endeavors, he was the first biologist to discover bacteria,
protozoa, nematodes, rotifiers and many other microorganisms. Then, the term cell was first introduced in
1655 by Robert Hooke.
In 1830, Robert Brown identified a darkly staining structure at the center of very cell he observed. He
referred to such structure as the nucleus. In 1838, a German botanist named Mathias Schleiden (1804-1881)
proposed as a result of his experiment that all plants are made up of cells. A year later, a German
physiologist, Theodor Schwann, (1810-1882) observed and proposed that all animals are, likewise, made
up of cells. In 1858, a German pathologist, Rudolf Virchow, concluded that cells reproduce by forming new
cells (either mitosis or meiosis).
III.) THE CELL THEORY
The discoveries of Scleiden, Schwann and Virchow are summarized into a guiding principle now called the cell theory.
The CELL THEORY states that:
1. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function of all organisms.
3. All cells arise only from preexisting cells.

Bio-Trivia
..upon reaching maturity, a human red blood cell actually spits out its nucleus then it uses
the space for hemoglobin, the protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen.
..an adult man is estimated to have at least 70-100 trillion cells divided into about two
hundred different tissues.
IV.) THE CELLULAR ORGANIZATION
All cells are composed of a living substance called the protoplasm. The protoplasm is a mixture of many compounds
primarily proteins and water forming a jellylike substance where all the biochemical activities of the cell are carried out.
Around 70-90 percent of the protoplasm is water while the remaining percentage are combinations of carbohydrates,

proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. The protoplasm of a cell is divided into three distinct parts: cell membrane, cytoplasm
and the nucleus.
*THE CELLULAR STRUCTURES: The following cellular structures are present in plant and animal cell.
A.) CELL MEMBRANE- also known as the plasma membrane or plasmalemma. It is a double-layered membrane that
encloses the cell. It is made up of two layers (bilayer) of phospholipids with proteins and carbohydrates. The cell
membrane is a structure (a semipermeable membrane) that controls the movement of substances in and out the cell. The
cell membrane is a very fexible membrane, allowing the cell to change its shape when needed.
B.) CYTOPLASM- it is located inside the cell membrane and is surrounding the nucleus. The cytoplasm forms the
largest part of the cell where most biochemical processes occur.
*The following are the cellular organelles (small structures inside the cell that carry specific functions that can be found
in the cytoplasm).
C.) Nucleus- it controls all the activities of the cell. It is the brain of the cell. It contains DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
which arranged into a network of long threadlike structures called chromatin. The DNA contains the hereditary materials
of the organism transmitted from one generation to another. During cellular division, the chromatin condenses, forming
highly coiled structures called chromosomes. The nucleus also contains RNA (ribonucleic acid) and proteins.
The nucleus is a circular, darkly staining part of the cytoplasm (when viewed through microscope) enclosed by a
membrane called nuclear membrane.
D.) Nucleolus- it is a distinct structure inside the nucleus where ribosomes are synthesized. This organelle disappears
during cell division. The nucleolus is enclosed by the nucleoplasm.
E.) Mitochondrion- are small, double-membrane, spherical or sausage-shaped organelle involved in the production of
energy in the cell. The mitochondrion is popularly known as the powerhouse of the cell. Just like a power generator, the
mitochondrion produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the form of energy required by the body to function. Cells that
need more energy like muscular cells contain more mitochondria.
Recent scientific findings shows that this organelle also contain its own DNA and RNA and is capable of producing
protein. Therefore, it is capable of division to produce more mitochondria.
F.) Plastid- is a double-membrane organelle found in plant cells, bacteria and some protozoans. Plastids are involved in
the manufacture of food during photosynthesis. Like the mitochondrion, plastid contains its own DNA, RNA and
ribosomes and capable of undergoing division.
Chloroplastids or chloroplasts are the most common plastids found in green plants. These contain green pigments
called chlorophyll.
Chromoplasts gives yellow and orange colors to flowers and fruits.
Leucoplasts are colorless plastids for the storage of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
G.) Cell wall- it is an additional boundary surrounding the cells of plants, fungi and bacteria. The cell wall among plant
cells is very tough substance made up of cellulose The cellulose provides support and protection to the cell from injury
and it is a good source of fiber in human diet. Other cell walls made up of chitin and other proteins.
H.) Ribosomes- are small granular structures made up of RNA and proteins. The RNA found in ribosomes is produced in
the nucleolus and enters in the cytoplasm through the nuclear pores. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis.
I.) Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)- is a membranous structure forming a network of canals where proteins and other
molecules are being transported.
ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (RER)- is an organelle where most of the ribosomes are attached. Troteins
produced in the ribosomes need to be transported through the RER.
SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (SER)- is a branching canal (without ribosomes) that serves as for the
transport of large molecules inside the cell. Some steroids are produced in the SER. The SER also functions as the storage
site of calcium ions in muscle cells.

J.) Golgi Apparatus or Golgi Complex- is structure of a stack of flattened sacs located very close to the endoplasmic
reticulum. Golgi apparatus looks like a maze with water droplets splashing off it. These water droplets are transport
vesicles bringing materials from tthe ER to the Golgi apparatus. The golgi apparatus produced in the ribosomes that
passed through the RER. An example of protein modification that takes place in the golgi complex is the addition of
carbohydrates to proteins to form glycoproteins. Inside the golgi complex, cellular products such as proteins (hormones
and enzymes) are packaged for export to other organelles or outside the cell.
K.) Vesicles- are organelles that carry substances in and out the cell. Food particles needed by the cell are transported
through the vesicles. Similarly, substances secreted by the cell that need to be transported out of the cell are carried by
vesicles.
L.) Vacuole- is a membrane-bound organelle for the storage of food, enzymes and other materials needed by the cell.
Some vacuoles also store waste products. In protists (kingdom protista), a diffirent kind of vacuole knwn as contractile
vacuole that collect excess water from cell and expel it to the outside thus maintaining balance (homeostasis) of the
internal environment. Plant cells contain large vacuoles called the central vacuole that contain a liquid called cell sap.
The cell sap is basically made up of water with dissolved glucose, salts and amino acids.
M.) Lysosome- is a membrane-bound organelle that contain diffrent hydrolytic enzymes collectively called lysozymes
(lysosome enzymes). Lysosome is the digestive component of cell because it contains hydrolytic enzymes that digest
bacteria, virus, complex food particles and damaged cell components that could be inimical to the cell. The bilipid layer
enclosing the lysosomes prevents the hydrolytic enzymes from destroying the parts of the cell.
N.) Cytoskeleton- is a network of thin and fibrous elements serving as the bones and muscles of cells.
Microfilaments- are cytoskeletons attached to the cell membrane responsible for the shape of the cell. These are
also responsible in the constriction of the cytoplasm during cell division.
Microtubules- are cytoskeletons that are not connected to the cell membrane. Microtubules serve as anchorage of
the organelles in the cell. The centrioles and spindle fibers which are involved in cell division are composed of
microtubules.
The movement and locomotion of some cells such as the ameboid movement of amoeba and flagellum by euglena are
made possible because of the presence of cytoskeleton.
V.) PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES: THE TWO BASIC CELL TYPES
Prokaryotes- Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus. All bacteria are prokaryotes. Since prokaryotes do not have true
nucleus, the genetic material (DNA) is quite scattered in the cytoplasm.
Eukaryotes- Eukaryotic cells possess true nucleus. Organisms belong to kingdom plantae, protista, fungi and animalia
are eukaryotes.
CELL STRUCTURE
SIZE OF CELL
NUCLEAR ENVELOPE
CELL WALL
MEMBRANE-BOUND
ORGANELLE
NUCLEAR MATERIAL

RIBOSOME
CYTOSKELETON
MITOCHONDRIA
CHLOROPHYLL

Table of Comparison:
PROKARYOTES
Smaller (microscopic) diameter
Absent
Made up of petidoglycan when present
Absent
Single loop of circular DNA
(asexual reproduction; binary fission)
Small
Absent
Absent
Not found
present

in

chloroplasts

EUKARYOTES
Larger (can be seen by the naked eye)
Present
Made up of cellulose when present
Present

Double-Strand DNA arranged into

chromosome
(can
be
asexual
or
sexual
reproduction)
Large
Present
Present
when Found in chloroplasts

VI.) ANIMAL AND PLANT CELL

Although animal and plant cells are eukaryotes and basically composed the same structures, each exhibits unique
characteristics.

Cell Structure
Cell wall
Chloroplast
Vacuoles
Centrioles
Cilia and flagella

Table of Comparison
Animal Cell
Absent
Absent
Numerous but small
Present
Present in some (sperm cell)

Plant Cell
Present
Present
Single but large
Absent
Absent in flowering plants but present
in ferns, cycads and bryophytes

VII.) THE LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION OF LIFE IN MULTICELLULAR ORGANISMS

CELL---------> TISSUES----------> ORGANS---------> ORGAN SYSTEM-------> ORGANISM

VIII.) CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF CELL (SUMMARY)

HOMEWORK:
A.) INDIVIDUAL
1.) Enhancing Critical Thinking. In a short coupon bond, construct a table representing a comparison of each cellular organelles to a structure
inside your house. Below the table, write an explanatory essay for the comparison. (Maximum of three pages).
**Due Date: _____________, Pointing System: 30 points (20 points for tabular presentation and 10 points for the essay)
B.) GROUP WORK: (70 points; 30 points for delivery, + 20 points for tarpaulin design + 10 content of tarpaulin)
1.) 10 members: Tarpaulin Printing. (3X5 feet) Make a diagram that compares eukaryotic organisms with prokaryotic organisms. Provide
illustrations in the tarpaulin.
2.) 10 members: Tarpaulin Printing (3x5 feet). Make a illustrative presentation comparing the animal and plant cells.
3.) 10 members: Tarpaulin Printing (3x5 feet). Print a news bits about recent scientific research about cells. (Minimum of 5 news bits).
4.) 10 members: Tarpaulin Printing (3 x 5 feet). The molecules of life- Nutrients needed by the body e.g. Protein, carbohydrates, fats. Print in the
tarpaulin and expalin how these nutrients utilized by the cell.
5.) 10 members. Document Printing (teacher + entire class). Research on different types of cells according to functions. E.g. Gametes, cardiac
cells, nerve cell, RBC, WBC, Muscle cell, Liver cells, osteocytes. Provide brief description (Minimum 2 pages, colored print).

Long Quiz in Biology

Name:___________________________________________
Schedule: _____________________________________
School:
_____________________________________

Score:__________ / 185; 0P / 0F
E.J. Bacud, (55 mins.)
Date: __________

I.) TRUE & FALSE STATEMENT: (6 mins.); 16 points

A.) WHICH IS TRUE?; All the statements indicated below are false except one. Shade the () of
the statement which is true. (8 points)
() The cell membrane as a structure controls the movement of organelles in and out the cell.

() The cell, as the integral indicator of life, makes all organisms basically alike.
() The term cell was first introduced by Robin Hooke, an English botanist in 1665.
() Because of microscope development, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek was the first biologist to discover bacteria,
atom, protozoa, nematodes and other microorganisms.
() Rudolf Virchow stated that cells reproduced by aggregating old cells.
() Cytology is a branch of biology that deals with study of human embryo which is multicellular in
nature.
() Animalcules coined by Hooke were known today as protozoa and bacteria.

B.) WHICH IS FALSE?; All the statements indicated below are true except one. Shade the () of
the statement which is false. (8 points)
() Mathias Scheilden is a German botanist while Theodor Schwann is a German physiologist.
() Organisms can be unicellular or multicellular in nature.
() Leeuwenhoek verified the findings of Hooke in his published observations called
Micrographia which is a scientific book.
() Cells are consisted of molecules such as water molecules, carbohydrates, proteins and
lipids.
() The human body has at least 70-100 trillion cells.
() Cells may be varied in structure because of specific function performed by them.
II.) ENUMERATION:(33 points)( 10 mins.)
CELL THEORY:
1. __________________________________________________________________ (2pts)
2. __________________________________________________________________ (2pts)
3. __________________________________________________________________ (2pts)
Components of Protoplasm: 4. ______________
5. _________________
6. ____________
Cellular Organelles: 7. ___________ 8. ____________ 9. ______________ 10. ______________
11. ____________ 12. ________________ 13. ___________ 14. __________
15. ____________ 16. ________________
LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION OF LIFE (in order) 17. ________ 18. ________ 19. _______ 20. ____________
21. _________________
KINDS OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM: 22. _____________________
23. __________________________
KINDS OF PLASTIDS: 24.__________________ 25. ________________ 26.________________________
KINDS OF CYTOSKELETON: 27._____________________ 28. _________________
TWO BASIC CELL TYPES:
29. ____________________ 30. _________________
III.) IDENTIFICATION: Identify the concept that is being described in each number. No
ERASURES!2pts. each item. (10 mins.); 40pts.
____________________1. A double-layered membrane that encloses the cell
____________________2. The cell wall of plant cell is primarily made up of ______.
____________________3. It controls all activities of the cell.
____________________4. Small structures inside the cell that perform specific functions
____________________5. It is where ribosomes are synthesized
____________________6. The part of cell that disappears during cell division
____________________7. It is involved in the production of energy in the cell.
____________________8. These are colorless plastids served as storage of carbohydrates,
proteins and fats.
____________________9. Type of enzyme produced by the lysosomes
____________________10. These are organisms that have defined nucleus and nuclear membrane.
____________________11. The central vacuole contains a liquid called ______________.
____________________12. It is an organelle that carries substances in and out the cell.
____________________13. A substance that is formed by combining carbohydrates and proteins
in the golgi complex.
___________________14. This is a small granular structures made up of RNA and proteins.
___________________15. It is where some steroids are produced and storage site of calcium ions.
___________________16. It modifies proteins produced in the ribosomes that passed through the
Rough ER.
___________________17. A sticky layer of glycoproteins that acts as glue to hold cells in
tissues
___________________18-20. It is a theoretical framework that provides us the operational
definition of life.

IV.) ANALOGY: Complete the following analogy by supplying the missing concept in each item.
(2 points each). (6 mins.)
E.g. Prokaryotes: bacteria ;
Eukaryotes: plants
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6:
7.
8.
9.

Lysosome : digestive system of cell ;

Nucleus : _________________________
Mitochondria: Energy-processing ; Cell membrane: _________________________
Chlorophyll: green ; _________________ : yellow and orange
Amoeboid movement: Amoeba ; ______________ ; Euglena
Cell: Life ;
______________:Molecules
____________ vacuole: collect excess water ; ______ vacuole : stores cellular liquid
More mitochondria : _____ energy ; Less mitochondria: _____ energy
____________: constriction of cytoplasm ; ____________: anchorage of organelles
Sperm cell: fructose ; Muscle cell :
__________ and _____________

V.) COMPLETING TABLES: (2 points per item) (7 mins.)= 40 pts.

CELL STRUCTURE

PROKARYOTES

EUKARYOTES

SIZE OF CELL

1.

2.

NUCLEAR ENVELOPE
CELL WALL

3.
Made up of 4.________________ when
present
Absent

Present
Made up of 5. _______________ when
present
6.

NUCLEAR MATERIAL

8. ____________ of circular DNA

(asexual reproduction; binary
fission)

RIBOSOME

Small

7.____________ DNA arranged into

chromosome
(can
be
asexual
or
sexual
reproduction)
9.

CYTOSKELETON
MITOCHONDRIA
CHLOROPHYLL

Absent
10.
Not found in chloroplasts when
present

MEMBRANE-BOUND ORGANELLE

Cell Structure

Present
11.
Found in chloroplasts

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Cell wall

12.

13.

Chloroplast

14.

15.

Vacuoles
Centrioles

Numerous but small

16.

Single but large

17.

Cilia and flagella

Present in some (sperm cell)

Absent in flowering plants but present

in 18._________, 19. _________ and
20.______________

VII.) ESSAY (10 points each). (15 mins.)

1.) COMPARE AND CONTRAST MITOCHONDRIA AND PLASTIDS.

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
2.What will happen if the cell has a completely permeable membrane?

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
3.What do you think is the quality control unit of the cell?. Discuss briefly.

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

RUBRIC IN TARPAULIN PRINTING AND PRESENTAION (BIOLOGY)

School : __________________________________
Faculty-in-charge: ________________________

Date: ___________

GROUP NUMBER: ____ ; Topic:

MEMBERS:
1. ____________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________
11. ___________________________________________
13. ___________________________________________
15. ___________________________________________

2. _____________________________________
4. _____________________________________
6. _____________________________________
8. _____________________________________
10._____________________________________
12._____________________________________
14. ____________________________________
16. ____________________________________

CRITERIA:
Delivery and Mastery :
_________ /30
0includes mastery of report
0 effectiveness of delivery
0 classroom management and time management 10 mins.
0 attire
Tarpaulin Design:
_________ / 20
0 color background (pleasant)
Content of the Tarpaulin: _________/ 20
0 is it substantial?
-------------------------------------TOTAL:

_______ /

70; Remarks:

RUBRIC IN DOCUMENT PRINTING AND PRESENTAION (BIOLOGY)

School : __________________________________
Faculty-in-charge: ________________________

Date: ___________

GROUP NUMBER: ____, Topic: ____________________________

MEMBERS:
1____________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________
5.____________________________________________
7.____________________________________________
9.____________________________________________
11.___________________________________________
13. ___________________________________________
15. ___________________________________________

2. _____________________________________
3. _____________________________________
6. _____________________________________
8. _____________________________________
10._____________________________________
12._____________________________________
14. ____________________________________
16. ____________________________________

CRITERIA:
Delivery and Mastery :
_________ /30
0includes mastery of report
0 effectiveness of delivery
0 classroom management and time management 10 mins.
0 attire
DOCUMENT Design:
_________ / 20
0 color background (pleasant); size: short; no. Of pages : min.of
Content of the Document: _________/ 20
0 is it substantial?
-------------------------------------TOTAL:

_______ /

70; Remarks:

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY IN BIOLOGY

Topic: CELLS AND ITS COMPONENTS
Name: _____________________________________
Score: _________
School: ___________________________________
Date: _________
I.) ENUMERATE AT LEAST 10 parts of the cell (In general). Describe each part in at least
1-3 sentences. Then, enhancing your creativtiy, draw the particular part of the cell on
the third column.(30 pts.)

PARTS OF THE
CELL

Short Description

ILLUSTRATION

II.) DEFINE THE CELLULAR ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM: 5 pts.

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
III.) Attach an article discussing CANCER (medical condition; at least one page). 10 points.
Mechanics: Font style= Lucida Console; Font size= 10
Indicate your source: e.g. www. Ucmp.berkeley.edu

IV.) ARRANGE THE FOLLOWING JUMBLED LETTERS (all terms are relevant with cell). 5pts.
1. ESITSUS = ____________
2. TYCESMYLHOP= ____________
3. LMASAP EMEMBRAN= _____________________
4. OTOLGTISYC = _________________________
5. TOYESRAKUE= ________________

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