Cell Structure and

Function

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Cells

• Smallest unit of life

• Most are microscopic

Cell Membrane

• Surrounds cell and contains cell

contents

• Double layer of phospholipids &

proteins

Cell Wall• Found in plants cell

• Surrounds cell membrane; gives

support and structure

Cytoplasm

• Jelly-like substance that contains organelles

Nucleus

• Control center of

cell

• Double membrane

• Contains DNA

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Helps move substances within cells

• Network of interconnected

membranes

• Two types

– Rough endoplasmic reticulum

(ribosomes are attached)

– Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (no

ribosomes)

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Vacuole

• Membrane bound storage sacs

• Plants cells have one large

vacuole, while animal cells have

many small ones

• Vacuoles can contain:

– Water

– Food

– waste

Mitochondria

• Break down fuel molecules (from

photosynthesis)

• Release energy

– ATP (cellular respiration)

Chloroplast

• Contains chlorophyll-a pigment that

captures energy from sunlight

• Uses the energy from sunlight and the

process of photosynthesis to create

food for plants

Ribosome

• Found in the cytoplasm and on rough

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Makes proteins for the cell using amino

acids

Stop At This Point

Principles of Cell Theory

• All living things are made of cells

• Smallest living unit is the cell

• All cells arise from preexisting

cells

(this principle discarded the idea of

spontaneous generation)

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic

• Eukaryotic

Prokaryotic Cells

• First cell type on earth

• Cell type of Bacteria and Archaea

Prokaryotic Cells

• No membrane bound nucleus

• Nucleoid = region of DNA

concentration

• Organelles not bound by membranes

Eukaryotic Cells• Nucleus bound by membrane

• Include fungi, protists, plant, and

animal cells

• Possess many organelles