Cell Structure and Function Notes

What is a cell? The basic unit of structure and function in organisms. The basic unit of structure and function in organisms.

Organisms Prokaryote Eukaryote An organism whose cells lack a nucleus and some other cell structures An organism with cells that contain nuclei (plural of nucleus) and other cell structures.

Examples Prokaryote: Bacteria Prokaryote: Bacteria Eukaryote: Plants, Animals, and many other organisms. Eukaryote: Plants, Animals, and many other organisms.

Organelle Cells contain organelles which are tiny structures that carries out a specific function within the cell. Cells contain organelles which are tiny structures that carries out a specific function within the cell. Example: Nucleus, Cell membrane, etc. Example: Nucleus, Cell membrane, etc.

Organelles in Plant Cells 1. Cell wall 2. Chloroplast 3. Cell Membrane 4. Cytoplasm 5. Vacuole 6. Mitochondrion (singular) 1. Mitochondria (plural) 7. Nucleus And others…

Organelles in Animal Cells 1. Cell Membrane 2. Cytoplasm 3. Vacuole 4. Mitochondrion (singular) 5. Nucleus And others…

Organelles in a Prokaryote

What is the difference between the plant cell and animal cell? Animal cells do not have a CELL WALL and CHLOROPLAST while plants cell do.

Nucleus Structure: Large oval structure Structure: Large oval structure Function: It directs cell’s activities Function: It directs cell’s activities Analogous: Human brain that controls us Analogous: Human brain that controls us Fact: Contains DNA Fact: Contains DNA

Cell Wall Structure: Rigid, tough outer layer of the plant cell Structure: Rigid, tough outer layer of the plant cell Function: Protect and support the cell Function: Protect and support the cell Analogous: Wall of the building Analogous: Wall of the building Fact: Animals cells do not have cell wall Fact: Animals cells do not have cell wall

Cell Membrane Structure: Forms the outside boundary that separates the cell from its environment Structure: Forms the outside boundary that separates the cell from its environment Function: Controls what substances come into and out of a cell Function: Controls what substances come into and out of a cell Analogous: Security gate in an apartment Analogous: Security gate in an apartment Fact: All cells have this structure Fact: All cells have this structure

Chloroplast Structure: Large green structures floating in cytoplasm Structure: Large green structures floating in cytoplasm Function: Captures energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell. Function: Captures energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell. Fact: Animal cells don’t have this structure because the plant cells don’t make their own food. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast. Fact: Animal cells don’t have this structure because the plant cells don’t make their own food. Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast.

Vacuole Structure: Large, round, water-filled sac. Structure: Large, round, water-filled sac. Function: Storage area of the cell (food, water, waste) Function: Storage area of the cell (food, water, waste) Analogous: Storage tanks Analogous: Storage tanks Fact: Most plant cells have one large vacuole. Fact: Most plant cells have one large vacuole.

Mitochondrion (singular) Structure: Rod shaped organelle Structure: Rod shaped organelle Function: Most of the cells energy is produced. Might Mouse Power House Function: Most of the cells energy is produced. Might Mouse Power House Analogous: Power Plant Analogous: Power Plant Fact: Muscle cells have more mitochondria Fact: Muscle cells have more mitochondria

Cytoplasm Structure: Clear, thick, gel-like fluid Structure: Clear, thick, gel-like fluid Function: Many cell organelles are found Function: Many cell organelles are found Fact: It is the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus. Fact: It is the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus.