Types of Cells and Cell Structures

Cell Theory

idea that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things, and new cells are produced from existing cells

Robert Hooke

Developed a simple lens microscope in 1665

Anton von Leeuwenhoek

Developed a compound microscope in 1674

Theodor Schwann

Worked with animal tissues

Matthias Schleiden

Worked with plant tissues

Cytology

The study of cells

Cytologist

A person who works with cells

Cell types

- Prokaryotic
- Eukaryotic

Prokaryotic Cells

These organisms would have evolved before a nucleus. The most abundant cell type.

Eukaryotic Cells

These organisms contain a nucleus.

Surface-to-Volume Ratio Importance

- A cell must be large enough to contain DNA, Ribosomes, and some cytoplasm

Three main parts to Eukaryotic Cells

- Cell membrane
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm or cytosol

Nucleus

- Acts as a control center for all activities performed by the cell
- The source of genetic information (DNA)

Nuclear Envelope

- Protects DNA
- Made of a double membrane layer of Phospholipids
- Contains pores composed from proteins for molecules to travel through, such as nucleotides to make mRNA.

DNA

- Chromatin phase
- Chromosome phase

Chromatin phase

- A cell can move the DNA to find the gene of importance
- Loosely wrapped

Chromosome phase

- Used for separating the DNA equally during cell division
- Tightly wrapped

Nucleolus

- The site of RNA synthesis
- Responsible for helping to make Ribosomes
- Makes mRNA and other types of RNA molecules

Ribosomes

- Cellular particles made of rRNA and proteins
- The site of protein synthesis
- Free Ribosomes and Bound Ribosomes

Free Ribosomes

- Free floating ribosomes in the cytoplasm of a cell
- Found in all types of cells

Bound Ribosomes

- Attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Only found in Eukaryotes
- Makes proteins that will leave the cell to be used elsewhere

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

- Composed of a network of small tubes called cisternae
- They are always found just outside and around the nucleus
- Smooth and Rough

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

- Helps with the synthesis of lipids, phospholipids, and steroids
- Helps with carbohydrate breakdown
- Helps to detoxify blood
- Liver cells and muscle cells have lots of SER

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

- Helps with protein synthesis
- Bound to the outside of an organelle and deposits the protein inside as it is made by the ribosome

Golgi Apparatus

- Modifies proteins by attaching glycoproteins to them
- Composed of flattened tubes called cisternae

Lysosomes

- Involved in digestion and recycling of molecules
- Full of digestive enzymes (Lysozyme)
- Composed of a phospholipid bilayer

Vacuoles

Cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

Vesicles

Small membrane sacs that specialize in moving products into, out of, and within a cell

Endocytosis

The process of bringing something into the cell

Exocytosis

Process by which a cell releases large amounts of material

Phagocytosis

The process of cell "eating

Pinocytosis

The process of cell "drinking

Mitochondria

- The powerhouse of the cell
- Makes energy by performing cellular respiration
- Has it's own DNA, Ribosomes, and enzymes

Chloroplasts

- The site of photosynthesis
- Has it's own DNA, Ribosomes, and enzymes

Cytoskeleton

- Helps support and protect the cell
- Helps keep inner organelles organized
- Helps in cell motility or cell organelle movement
- Composed of various sized protein fibers

Microtubules

A hollow rod composed of tubulin proteins that makes up part of the cytoskeleton in all eukaryotic cells and is found in cilia and flagella.

Microfilaments

Fine, threadlike proteins found in the cell's cytoskeleton

Intermediate Filaments

Threadlike proteins in the cell's cytoskeleton that are roughly twice as thick as microfilaments

Characteristics of living things

- Composed of cells
- Responds and adapts to the environment
- Uses energy
- Grows and reproduces