LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the discussion, you should be
able to:
• Differentiate prokaryotic cell from
eukaryotic cell.
• Identify and describe major cell structures and
organelles
• Explain the functions of each organelle
• Appreciate the importance of cells in the
continuity of life.
CELL STRUCTURES
AND FUNCTION
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Cells are the basic
units of life and
are very small in
size, ranging from
approximately 1 to
100 micrometers.
• There are two
major types of
cells: eukaryotic
and prokaryotic
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• A cell's nucleoid
region or nucleus
contains the cell's
DNA(deoxyribonucle
ic acid) which
contains the cell's
encoded genetic
information.
• Cells reproduce by
different methods.
CELL FACTS
• Cells are too small to be seen
without magnification
• Prokaryotic single-celled
organisms were the earliest
and most primitive forms of
life on Earth
CELL FACTS
• Cells contain genetic
material
• Cells have varying life
spans
• Cells commit suicide
TYPES OF CELLS
PROKARYOTIC CELL EUKARYOTIC CELL
PROKARYOTIC CELLS
• A prokaryote is a simple, single-celled (unicellular)
organism that lacks an organized nucleus or any
other membrane-bound organelle.
• They are microscopic, measuring from 0.1 to 5.0
μm.
The world's largest bacteria are visible to the
naked eye
• The world's largest
bacterium has been
discovered amongst the
mangroves of the
Caribbean island of
Guadeloupe.
• Measuring over a
centimetre long,
Thiomargarita magnifica
is over 5000 times bigger
than the average
microbe.
CYANOBACTERIA
Cyanobacteria, also
known as blue-
green algae, are a
group of
photosynthetic
bacteria that play a
crucial role in the
Earth's
ecosystems.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
CELL WALL
The cell wall is a protective
layer that surrounds some
cells and gives them shape
and rigidity. The major
component of bacterial cell
walls is called peptidoglycan.
PLASMA MEMBRANE
The plasma membrane is a
thin lipid bilayer that
completely surrounds the cell
and separates the inside from
the outside.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
CAPSULE
The capsule is an
important virulence factor,
aiding bacteria in evading
the immune system and
enhancing their survival in
various environments.
CYTOPLASM
A gel-like substance that
fills the cell and contains
various cellular structures.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
PLASMID
A plasmid is a small,
circular, double-
stranded DNA
molecule that exists
independently of the
chromosomal DNA in
the bacterial cell.
NUCLEOID
A region within the
cytoplasm where the
circular DNA molecule
is located.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
RIBOSOME
Cellular structures
responsible for
protein synthesis.
FLAGELLUM
Whip-like
appendages that
extend from the cell
surface, enabling the
cell to move. Not all
prokaryotic cells have
flagella.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
FIMBRIAE
Bristle-like-fibers that are
shorter than pili. It is
primarily used for bacterial
attachment.
PILI
Short, hair-like structures
on the cell surface that aid
in adherence to surfaces or
other cells. Pili can also be
involved in the transfer of
genetic material during a
process called conjugation.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
• A eukaryotic cell
is a type of cell
that possesses a
true nucleus and
membrane-bound
organelles
• A typical
eukaryotic cell
measures 10 to
100 μm in
diameter.
NUCLEUS (control center)
The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
It is the largest organelle in the cell and it contains
the DNA of the cell.
PARTS OF A EUKARYOTIC CELL
PLASMA MEMBRANE (Gatekeeper of the Cell)
The plasma membrane, also called the cell membrane, is the
membrane found in all cells that separates the interior of the cell
from the outside environment. In bacterial and plant cells, a cell wall is
attached to the plasma membrane on its outside surface. The plasma
membrane consists of a lipid bilayer that is semipermeable. The plasma
membrane regulates the transport of materials entering and exiting
the cell.
PARTS OF A EUKARYOTIC CELL
CYTOPLASM
The cytoplasm is the interior of the cell that surrounds the
nucleus. It includes the organelles and a jelly-like fluid called the
cytosol. Cellular processes, such as metabolism and protein synthesis,
occur in the cytoplasm.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
MITOCHONDRIA
(Powerhouse of the
Cell)
Mitochondria are
organelles that play a
crucial role in cellular
respiration, producing
energy (in the form of
ATP) for the cell.
They have their own
circular DNA and
replicate
independently of the
cell.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM (Highway
of the Cell)
The endoplasmic
reticulum is a network of
membranes involved in
the synthesis of lipids
and proteins. It can be
rough (RER), studded
with ribosomes, or
smooth (SER), lacking
ribosomes.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
The rough
endoplasmic reticulum is
where most protein
synthesis occurs in the
cell. The function of the
smooth endoplasmic
reticulum is to
synthesize lipids in the
cell. The smooth ER also
helps in the
detoxification of harmful
substances in the cell.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
VESICLES
A vesicle is a small, membrane-bound sac that can transport
and store substances within a cell. Vesicles are involved in various
cellular processes, including intracellular transport, secretion, and
storage of cellular materials.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
GOLGI APPARATUS (Packaging center of the cell)
Also called Golgi complex. This organelle was named after
an Italian physician, Camillo Golgi. He was the first person to
describe this organelle in the cell.
This cell organelle is primarily responsible for
transporting, modifying, and packaging proteins and lipids to
target destinations.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
LYSOSOMES (Suicide bags of the cell)
Lysosomes are membrane-bound vesicles
containing enzymes that break down and digest
cellular waste materials, old organelles, and foreign
substances.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
PEROXISOMES
These organelles
are involved in
various metabolic
processes,
particularly those
related to lipid
metabolism and
detoxification
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
VACUOLE
•A vacuole is a
membrane-bound
organelle found in the
cells of plants, animals
fungi, and some protists.
•It plays crucial roles in
maintaining cell turgor
pressure, storing
nutrients and waste
products, and
participating in various
cellular processes.
CYTOPLASMIC ORGANELLES
CHLOROPLAST
A chloroplast is a membrane-bound organelle found in the cells
of plants, algae, and some protists. Chloroplasts are the sites of
photosynthesis, a process that converts light energy into chemical
energy in the form of glucose, ultimately providing energy for the
organism. These organelles contain pigments, including chlorophyll,
which give them a green color.
Non membrane-bound organelles
RIBOSOMES
(Protein factories
Ribosomes are
cellular organelle
involved in protein
synthesis, translating
genetic information
from mRNA
(messenger RNA)
into functional
proteins.
Non membrane-bound organelles
CENTROSOME
A centrosome is a
cellular organelle that is
crucial in organizing
microtubules during cell
division. The centrosome
is involved in the
formation of the mitotic
spindle, a structure
essential for the proper
segregation of
chromosomes during cell
division.
Non membrane-bound organelles
CELL WALL
• The cell wall is a
distinctive feature of
plant cells, providing
structural support,
protection, and rigidity
to plant tissues.
• Cellulose is the
primary component of
the plant cell wall and
provides strength and
rigidity to the
structure.
Non membrane-bound organelles
CYTOSKELETON (cellular skeleton)
Eukaryotic cells have a cytoskeleton, a network of protein
filaments (such as microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate
filaments) that provides structural support, and shape, and facilitates
cellular movement.
COMPARISON OF STRUCTURES BETWEEN PLANT CELL AND ANIMAL CELL
Structure/Organelle PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
Plant cells range from 10 and Animal cells range from 10 to
Size 100 micrometers in length. 30 micrometers in length.
Plant cells are more similar in Animal cells come in various
size and are typically sizes and tend to have round
Shape rectangular or cube-shaped. or irregular shapes
A plant cell is surrounded by An animal cell does not have
Cell Wall a rigid cell wall. a cell wall.
Plant cells have a large Animal cells may have many
Vacuole central vacuole that can small vacuoles
occupy up to 90% of the cell's
volume.
Plant cells do not contain Animal cells possess
Lysosomes lysosomes as the plant lysosomes which contain
vacuole handles molecule enzymes that digest cellular
degradation. macromolecules.
Centrosomes are absent in Animal cells have
Centrosomes plant cells centrosomes.
Structure/Organelle PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
Plant cells can reproduce Animal cells reproduce
through mitosis and also through mitosis for growth
have unique reproductive and repair. Sexual
Reproduction structures like pollen and reproduction occurs
ovules for sexual through specialized
reproduction. reproductive cells (sperm
and egg cells).
Stores energy in the form of
Energy Storage Stores energy as starch. the complex carbohydrate
glycogen.
REFERENCES
Evangelista L., General Biology 1, Quezon City: C & E Publishing
House, 2020.
Ramos, et.al, Exploring Life Through Science, Quezon City:
Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2017
Felicerta, et.al, Breaking Through Science Second Edition,
C& E Publishing House, 2018.
(History of the Cell: Discovering the Cell, n.d.)
(Intro to Eukaryotic Cells (Article) | Khan Academy, n.d.)
https://open.oregonstate.education/microbiology/chapter/3-
3unique- characteristics-of-prokaryotic-cells/
