Plant Cells Functions:

Cell Wall - Made from cellulose fibers and strengthens the cell and supports the plant.
Cell membrane - It is the semi-permeable membrane present within the cell wall, 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.
Nucleus - It is a membrane-bound structure. The vital function of a nucleus is to store DNA or
hereditary material which includes cell division, metabolism, and growth.
Chloroplasts- Organelles that contains the green pigment, chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy
for photosynthesis. Contains the enzymes needed for photosynthesis.
Ribosomes - They are the smallest membrane-bound organelle which comprises of RNA and
protein. It builds and synthesizes proteins.
Golgi Apparatus - They are found in all eukaryotic cells which are involved in the distributing
synthesized macromolecules to various parts of the cell.
Golgi Vesicle - A membrane-bound body that forms by "budding" from the Golgi apparatus. It
contains proteins (glycoproteins), such as digestive enzymes, and migrates to the cell (plasma)
membrane.
Amyloplasts - the amyloplasts are organelles that store starch. They are classified as plastids, and
are also known as starch grains. They are responsible for the conversion of starch into sugar that
gives energy to the starchy plants and tubers. It synthesizes and stores starch granules.
Cytoplasm - The cytoplasm forms the gel-like substance that holds the organelles in the cell. It is a
colorless substance that is made up of mainly water, salts and organic molecules. We can refer to it
as, the stage where all the action in the cell takes place, or as the home of all the organelles of the
cell. It is serves as the site of multiple cell processes including cell metabolism.
Mitochondrion - Known to be the 'power house' or the 'storehouse of energy' of the cell, the
mitochondria plays an important role in a cell. It produces energy and converts it, regulates cell
metabolism.
Nucleus - this is a spherical body that contains various organelles like the nucleolus (where
ribosomal RNA is produced) and is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. The nucleus is known to be
the 'control room' of the cell. It regulates various cell functions by controlling the protein synthesis of
the plant cell. It controls expression and transcription of the gene.
Nucleolus - Known to be the heart of the cell, the nucleolus transcribes ribosomal RNA. It is
composed of proteins and nucleic acid and is known to be a genetically determined element. It
produces ribosomes.
Rough ER - is a vast interconnected membrane system located close to the nucleus. Manufactures
lysosome enzymes, facilitates translating and folding of new proteins.
Smooth ER - is a separate interconnected network membrane structure that is free from ribosomes.
The SER transports material through the cell. It is also crucial in producing and digesting lipids and
proteins. Manufactures and transports lipids.
Large Central Vacuole - is a cellular organelle found in plant cells. It is often the largest organelle in
the cell. It is surrounded by a membrane and functions to hold materials and wastes. It also functions
to maintain the proper pressure within the plant cells to provide structure and support for the growing
plant.
Druse Crystal - A druse is a group of crystals of calcium oxalate, silicates, or carbonates present
in plants, and are thought to be a defense against herbivore due to their toxicity.
Vacuole Membrane – It helps maintain its turgor pressure, which is the pressure of the contents of
the cell pushing against the cell wall.
Raphide Crystal - are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate as the monohydrate or calcium
carbonate as aragonite, found in more than 200 families of plants. Both ends are needle-like,
but raphides tend to be blunt at one end and sharp at the other.
Functions of Animal Cells:

Plasma Membrane - the cell membrane separates the cell from its external environment, and is
selectively permeable (controls what gets in and out). It protects the cell and provides stability.
Proteins are found embedded within the plasma membrane, with some extending all the way through
in order to transport materials. Carbohydrates are attached to proteins and lipids on the outer lipid
layer.
Cytoplasm - Organelles are found here and substances like salts may be dissolved in the cytoplasm.
Nucleus - The nucleus is the "control center" of the cell, for cell metabolism and reproduction.
Ribosomes - The function of ribosomes is protein synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus - It is involved with processing and packaging of the molecules that are synthesized
by the cells. The crude proteins that are passed on by the ER to the apparatus are developed by the
Golgi apparatus into primary, secondary, and tertiary proteins.
Lysosomes - They are referred to as the suicide bags of the cell. They have digestive enzymes and
are involved in clearing the ins wanted waste materials from the cell. They also engulf damaged
materials like the damaged cells, and invading microorganisms and digest food particles.
Mitochondria - t he mitochondria is referred to as the power house of the cell. Its main function if to
produce energy for cell by the process of cellular respiration. The energy produced is ATP.
Vacuole - is usually found in all plant and fungal cells, as well as some cells of protists, animals, and
bacteria. These membrane-bound structures are basically just enclosed compartments thatare filled
with both inorganic and organic molecules, along with water to support the organelle.
Peroxisome - peroxisomes protect the cell from its own production of toxic hydrogen peroxide.
Chromatin - to package DNA into a more compact, denser shape, to reinforce the DNA
macromolecule to allow mitosis, to prevent DNA damage, and to control gene expression and DNA
replication.
Microtubules - Microtubules are hollow, fibrous shafts whose main function is to help support and
give shape to the cell. They also serve transportation function, as they are the routes upon which
organelles move through the cell.
Rough ER - It plays a central role in the synthesis and export of proteins and glycoproteins and is
best studied in the secretory cells specialized in these functions.
Smooth ER - regulates and releases calcium ions and processes toxins. It is described as 'smooth' to
distinguish it from rough ER, which has ribosomes for protein synthesis on its surface.
Nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced. Some cells
have more than one nucleolus.
Secretory Vesicle - Cell secretions - e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters - are packaged in secretory
vesicles at the Golgi apparatus. The secretory vesicles are then transported to the cell surface for
release.
Intermediate Filament - to provide mechanical support for the plasma membrane where it comes
into contact with other cells or with the extracellular matrix. Unlike microfilaments and microtubules,
intermediate filaments do not participate in cell motility.
Centrosome - Centrosomes are structures found inside of cells. They are made from two centrioles.
Centrioles are microtubule rings. The main purpose of a centrosome is to organize microtubules and
provide structure for the cell, as well as work to pull chromatids apart during cell division.
Scientists;
1. Theodor Schwann (December 7, 1810 – January 11, 1882)

- Was a German physiologist. His many contributions to biology include the development of cell
theory, the discovery of Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, the discovery and
study of pepsin, the discovery of the organic nature of yeast, and the invention of the
term metabolism.
- Schwann observed animal cells under the microscope, noting their different properties.
Schwann found particular interest in the nervous and muscular tissues. He discovered the cells
that envelope the nerve fibers, now called Schwann cells in his honor.
- Schwann discovered the striated muscle in the upper esophagus and initiated research
into muscle contraction, since expanded upon greatly by Emil du Bois-Reymond and others.
Müller directed Schwann's attention to the process of digestion, and in 1837 Schwann isolated
an enzyme essential to digestion, which he called pepsin.

2. Henri Dutrochet (November 14, 1776 – February 4, 1847)

- Was a French physician, botanist and physiologist. He is best known for his investigation into
osmosis.
- He investigated and described osmosis, respiration, embryology, and the effect of light on
plants. He has been given credit for discovering cell biology and cells in plants and the actual
discovery of the process of osmosis. His early researches into the voice introduced the first
modern concept of vocal cord movement.
- Made the connection between plant cells and animal cells explicit, and he proposed that the
cell was not just a structural but also a physiological unit.
3. Robert Hooke ( 1635-1702)

- first described cells in 1665

- He made thin slices of cork and likened the boxy partitions he observed to the cells (small
rooms) in a monastery. The open spaces Hooke observed were empty, but he and others
suggested these spaces might be used for fluid transport in living plants. He did not propose,
and gave no indication that he believed, that these structures represented the basic unit of
living organisms

4. Matthias Schleiden (born on April 5, 1804)

- Schleiden was one of the founding fathers of cell theory.

- He showed that the development of all vegetable tissues comes from the activity of cells.
- Schleiden also proved that a nucleated cell is the first element of the plant embryo.

5. Rudolf Virchow (October 13, 1821-September 5, 1902)

- was a German physician, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist, writer, editor, and
politician, known for his advancement of public health. He is known as "the father of
modern pathology" because his work helped to discredit humorist, bringing more science to
medicine. He is also known as the founder of social medicine and veterinary pathology, and to
his colleagues, the "Pope of medicine".
- His most widely known scientific contribution is his cell theory, which built on the work
of Theodor Schwann. He was one of the first to accept the work of Robert Remak, who
showed the origins of cells was the division of pre-existing cells.