Unit 1

The Cell

SECTION 7-1:
Life is
Cellular

THE CELL THEORY

Contributions by biologists:
Anton van Leeuwenhoek - microscope
Robert Hooke - cells
Matthias Schleiden - plants
Theodor Schwann - animals
Rudolf Virchow - cell reproduction

The cell theory consists of

three components:
All living things are composed of
cells.
Cells are the basic units of structure
and function in living things.
New cells are produced from existing
cells.

BASIC CELL STRUCTURES

:

1. Cell membrane: thin, flexible barrier

around the cell.
2. Cell wall: strong layer surrounding the
cell membrane in certain cells.
3. Nucleus: contains the cells genetic
material (DNA) and controls the cells
activities.
4. Cytoplasm: all material inside the cell
membrane except the nucleus.

TWO CELL TYPES:

1. Prokaryotes: small, simple cells that
have a cell membranes and cytoplasm
but no nucleus. (Example: bacteria)
2. Eukaryotes: cells that have a
nucleus and contain specialized
structures called organelles. (plants,
animals, fungi, & many
microorganisms)

SECTION 7-2:
Eukaryotic
Cell
Structure

 Organelles small specialized

organs that carry out specific

functions in the cell; literally
means little organs.
Cytoplasm the portion of the
cell outside the nucleus.

1. Nucleus
Contains nearly all of the cells DNA.
Considered the control center of the
cell because DNA carries important
instructions for cell function.
Surrounded by a nuclear envelope
that has pores to allow material to
move into and out of the nucleus.

Nucleus (continued)
DNA here is in 2 forms:
A. Chromatin - granular; spread out in
the nucleus.
B. Chromosomes - condensed,
threadlike structures that form when the
cell is dividing.
The nucleolus is a dense region in the
nucleus used for the assembly of
proteins.

2. Lysosomes
Clean up crew get rid of cell
junk
Digest nutrients so that they are in
a form that the cells can use.
Also break down worn out cell
parts.

3. Ribosomes
Small particles made of RNA &
protein.
Proteins are assembled here.
Found in the cytoplasm or attached
to the endoplasmic reticulum.

4. Endoplasmic Reticulum(ER)
Internal membrane system in
which lipid components of the cell
membrane are assembled and
some proteins are modified.

5. Golgi Apparatus
Stack of membranes that
modify and package proteins to
be sent outside of the cell.

6. Vacuoles
Used to store materials such as
water, salts, proteins &
carbohydrates.
Pressure in these structures make
it possible for plants to support
heavy leaves & flowers.

7. Mitochondria
The power house of the cell.
Releases energy from stored food
molecules.
Use energy from food to make highenergy compounds that the cell can
use to power growth, development,
and movement.

8. Chloroplasts
Found in plant cells; not found in
animal cells.
Use the energy from sunlight to
make energy-rich food molecules in
a process known as photosynthesis.

SECTION 7-3:
Cell
Boundaries

All cells are surrounded by a

cell membrane, however,
some cells also have a cell
wall.

A. Cell membrane
Regulates what enters & leaves the
cell.
Provides protection & support.
Composed of a double-layered
sheet called the lipid bilayer which is
composed of lipids, proteins &
carbohydrates.

B. Cell wall
Found outside the cell membrane.
Found in plants, algae, fungi, &
many prokaryotes
Very porous allows water, oxygen,
& carbon dioxide to pass through.