Structure of Cells and

Types of Cells
Cruz, Tiffany Grace V.
Humarang, Jelain A.
Era, Emil D.

Introduction
Cells were first described by Robert Hooke in his book
Micrographia, published in 1665. Using a microscope, he described
the structure of cork as closely resembling prison chambers or
monks quarters (there is some debate about this). He used the
term cell to describe these hollow chambers. The Cell Theory
was first described in 1839. While the Cell Theory has been
altered and revised, most biologists today list three or four general
characteristics shared by all cells:
1. The cell is the basic unit of life. Anything smaller than a cell is
not alive by definition.
2. All organisms are composed of one or more cells.
3. Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
4. All cells, at some point in their life cycle, contain the genetic
material for the entire organism.

Cell Structure and Function

Cell wall: It helps in protecting the plasma membrane and plays a vital role in
supporting and protecting the cells. It is a thick outer layer made of cellulose.
Cell membrane: It is a double layered, thin barrier, surrounding the cell to
control the entry and exit of certain substances.
Cytoplasm: It is a membrane, which protects the cell by keeping the cell
organelles separate from each other. This helps to keep a cell in stable.
Cytoplasm is the site, where many vital biochemical reactions take place.
Nucleus: They are the membrane bound organelles, which are found in all
eukaryotic cells. It is the very important organelle of a cell as it controls the
complete activity of a cell and also plays a vital role in reproduction.
Nuclear membrane: The bilayer membrane, which protects the nucleus by
surrounding around it and acts as a barrier between the cell nucleus and other
organs of a cell.
Nucleolus: It is an important membrane found inside the nucleus. It plays a
vital role in the production of cell's ribosome.

Endoplasmic reticulum: It helps in the movement of materials around the

cell. It contains an enzyme that helps in building molecules and in
manufacturing of proteins. The main function of this organelle is storage and
secretion.
Ribosome: It plays a vital role in protein synthesis.
Mitochondria: They are double membrane, filamentous organelles, which
play a vital role in generating and transforming the energy. Mitochondria play
a vital role in various functions of the cell metabolisms including oxidative
phosphorylation.
Golgi Bodies: It helps in the movement of materials within the cell.
Lysosomes: It is also called as suicidal bags as it helps in cell renewal and
break down old cell parts.
Vacuoles: It helps plants in maintaining its shape and it also stores water,
food, wastes, etc.
Chloroplast: They are the site of photosynthesis, which are present in
chlorophyll bacteria, blue-green algae, etc.

Two Basic Types of Cells

Cells come in two basic types. Prokaryotic cells are found in
bacteria, including both Archaebacteria and Eubacteria, and
including the blue-green algae. Eukaryotic cells are found in
animals, plants, Fungi and protists.

Characteristics of Prokaryotic
Cells
Prokaryotes lack an organized nucleus and other membranebound organelles.
Prokaryotic DNA is found in a central part of the cell called the
nucleoid.
The cell wall of a prokaryote acts as an extra layer of protection,
helps maintain cell shape, and prevents dehydration.
Prokaryotic cell size ranges from 0.1 to 5.0 m in diameter.
The small size of prokaryotes allows quick entry and diffusion of
ions and molecules to other parts of the cell while also allowing
fast removal of waste products out of the cell.

Components of Prokaryotic Cells

All cells share four common components:
aplasma membrane: an outer covering that
separates the cell's interior from its surrounding
environment.
cytoplasm: a jelly-like cytosol within the cell in which
other cellular components are found
DNA: thegeneticmaterial of the cell
ribosomes: whereproteinsynthesis occurs

Characteristics of Eukaryotic
Cells
Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells and have a "true"
nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and rod-shaped chromosomes.
The nucleus houses the cell's DNA and directs the synthesis of proteins
and ribosomes.
Mitochondria are responsible for ATP production; the endoplasmic
reticulum modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids; and the golgi
apparatus is where the sorting of lipids and proteins takes place.
Perixisomes carry out oxidation reactions that break down fatty acids
and amino acids and detoxify poisons; vesicles and vacuoles function in
storage and transport.
Animal cells have a centrosome and lysosomes while plant cells do not.
Plant cells have a cell wall, a large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and
other specialized plastids, whereas animal cells do not.

Eukaryotic Cell Structure

Like a prokaryotic cell, a eukaryotic cell has aplasma membrane, cytoplasm,
and ribosomes. However, unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells have:
a membrane-bound nucleus
numerous membrane-bound organelles (including the endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi apparatus, chloroplasts, and mitochondria)
several rod-shaped chromosomes
Because a eukaryotic cell's nucleus is surrounded by a membrane, it is often
said to have a "true nucleus. " Organelles (meaning "little organ") have
specialized cellular roles, just as the organs of your body have specialized
roles. They allow different functions to be compartmentalized in different
areas of the cell.

References
https://www.wyzant.com/resources/lessons/science/biolog
y/cells
http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/cells/basiccell.html#types
https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundlessbiology-textbook/cell-structure-4/