Structure and Function of Cells

All organisms are composed of cells Some living things are composed of a single cell, while others are composed of multiple cells. Cells are the smallest unit of living matter.

Single celled Another word you have probably heard is unicellular. Unicellular means consisting of a single cell Unicellular organisms are organisms that can survive without the help of other cells. There are many unicellular organisms on this earth, bacteria serving the majority. The main groups of single celled life are bacteria, archaic(both prokaryotes) and the eukaryotes.

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Functions of Life Something is living if it can a) reproduce, b) respond to external stimuli through internal mechanisms, c) metabolize energy from the environment for its own uses. Single-celled organisms usually reproduce asexually, through the process of mitosis, or cell-splitting.

Cell Membrane Both plant and animal cells have cell membrane. The plant’s cell membrane is in between the cytoplasm and the cell wall. The animal’s cell membrane is on the outer layer of the cell. On both plant and animal cells the cell membrane is very thin.

Cell Wall Only plant cells have cell walls. The plants cell wall keeps everything inside the cell in and everything outside the cell out. The plants cell wall is very thick and is the last layer of the cell. The animal cell does not have a cell wall, it has a cell membrane to hold everything together.

Nucleus Both plant and animal cells have nuclei. The nuclei of both plant and animal cells work as the brain of the system. The nuclei in both plant and animal cells are protected by a sphere.

Cytoplasm/ Chloroplasts Both plant and animal cells have cytoplasm. The cytoplasm helps contain everything inside. Only plant cells have chloroplasts. The chloroplasts use photosynthesis to make the plants food energy.

Mitochondria Mitochondria are organelle found in all eukaryotic cells. In plant cells, they break down carbohydrate and sugar molecules to provide energy. In the animal cell, they are the main power generators, converting oxygen and nutrients into energy.

Vacuoles Each plant cell has a large single vacuole that stores compounds, helps in plant growth, and plays an important role for the plant. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iUfINpUzJ4

Functions of cells: Cell Wall: helps support and protect cell ( PLANT cell only) Cell Membrane: controls what substances enter and exit the cell (support/ protects ANIMAL cells) Nucleus: cells’ control center Ribosomes: produce proteins Lysosomes: break down food particles and worn out cell parts Mitochondria: where cell’s energy is produced Cytoplast: where cell’s organelles are formed Golgi body: receive materials through endoplasmic reticulum and sends to other part of the cell Vacuole: stores food/water/wastes/other materials (PLANT mainly) Chloroplast: captures energy from the sun and uses it to produce food for the cell Endoplasmic Reticulum: carries materials from one part of the cell to another All help organisms to work

Every Cell: Has a cell membrane (this controls what objects enter/exit from the cell) Are the basic building blocks of life Has cytoplasm (area in which cell organelles are formed) Has ribosomes (produces the protein for the cell)

Characteristics of kingdoms

Questions 1-5 1.) What does unicellular mean? 2.) What are 2 ways organisms usually reproduce? Unicellular means; Consisting of a single cell 1. Asexually 2. Mitosis (cell-splitting)

Questions 6-11 1.) Are there more than one vacuole in each cell? 2.) Does photosynthesis help make food or energy? Yes It makes both

Questions 12-14 1.) What is one function of the cell membrane in BOTH plant and animal cells? 2.) What are two things that every cell has in common? Controlling what enters and exits the cell. They all have cell membranes and cytoplasm.

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_theory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_theory  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060 721064336AAOkai8  http://goo.gl/qGs9I http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plantcell.html https://confluence.crbs.ucsd.edu/display/CS/Animal+C ell+versus+Plant+Cell http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/animalcell.html