Cellular Basis of Life
What is Life? This perennial question the answer to which has somehow eluded the most brilliant minds. For while scientists have identified many years ago the right mix of the atoms and molecules that constitute cellular material, they have not succeeded in ‘switching it on’ to make it alive, or
‘breathing life’ into it (Rabago et.al,2006)
In this module you will:
a. Explain the concepts of the cell theory
b. Identify the parts of a cell
c. Describe the function of each cell part
d. Differentiate prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells e. Compare plant and animal cells
A. The Cell Theory
-
structurally made up of
1. What are living things made of? cells.
-
2. What can cells do?
3. Where do cells come from?
All living things are
The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
-
Cells come from the division of pre-existing cells. B. Cell Structure and Composition
CELL MEMBRANE
-Serves as the outer boundary of the cell. It is a selective permeable membrane which permits the entrance of substances throughout the cell.
CYTOPLASM
-Serves as the reservoir of the organelles as it contain all the lifesustaining components. It is a jellylike structure.
NUCLEUS
-Usually located at the center and known as the control center of the cell. It regulates and coordinates all the activities of the cell.
C. Organelles in the Cytoplasm
ORGANELLES
STRUCTURE
Membrane
Components
Module 8
A. 1. smooth endoplasmic reticulum – usually the site for fat metabolism; forms vesicles for transporting large molecules to other cell parts
2. mitochondria – sites of cellular respiration
3. Golgi apparatus – involved in modifying, sorting and packaging macromolecules for secretion or for delivery to other organelles
4. nuclear membrane – a double membrane which separates the nucleoplasm from the cytoplasm
5. nucleolus – the site where subunits of ribosomes are formed
6. nuclear pore – serves as pathway for the
‘breathing life’ into it (Rabago et.al,2006)
In this module you will:
a. Explain the concepts of the cell theory
b. Identify the parts of a cell
c. Describe the function of each cell part
d. Differentiate prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells e. Compare plant and animal cells
A. The Cell Theory
-
structurally made up of
1. What are living things made of? cells.
-
2. What can cells do?
3. Where do cells come from?
All living things are
The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
-
Cells come from the division of pre-existing cells. B. Cell Structure and Composition
CELL MEMBRANE
-Serves as the outer boundary of the cell. It is a selective permeable membrane which permits the entrance of substances throughout the cell.
CYTOPLASM
-Serves as the reservoir of the organelles as it contain all the lifesustaining components. It is a jellylike structure.
NUCLEUS
-Usually located at the center and known as the control center of the cell. It regulates and coordinates all the activities of the cell.
C. Organelles in the Cytoplasm
ORGANELLES
STRUCTURE
Membrane
Components
Module 8
A. 1. smooth endoplasmic reticulum – usually the site for fat metabolism; forms vesicles for transporting large molecules to other cell parts
2. mitochondria – sites of cellular respiration
3. Golgi apparatus – involved in modifying, sorting and packaging macromolecules for secretion or for delivery to other organelles
4. nuclear membrane – a double membrane which separates the nucleoplasm from the cytoplasm
5. nucleolus – the site where subunits of ribosomes are formed
6. nuclear pore – serves as pathway for the
References: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6144908.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6120664.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7104218.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/6231099.stm Park Talaro, K. (2008) Foundations in Microbiology. Rabago, L.m., et.al, Functional Biology, Vibal Publishing house, 2006 www.teach-nology.com Bauman, R. (2005) Microbiology