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CELL
Fundamental unit of life
table of
contents:
03
Structure and basic functions.
04
Protein synthesis.
05
Energy supply.
06
Cellular digestion.
07
Support and movement.
08
Storage and transportation.
01
Cell.
02
Types of cells: components.
Cell
Basic and fundamental unit of life,
it possesses a highly organized
structure that enables it to carry
out its vital functions.
Cellulose cell wall;
chloroplasts and vacuoles.
Plant
Types
of Cells
Prokaryotic
Lack a defined
nucleus
Eukaryotic
Have a defined
nucleus
Rigid cell wall;
may have flagella.
Animal
They can have a cell wall,
without differentiated tissues.
Protist
Chitin Cell Wall;
they are heterotrophs.
Fungal
Dispersed genetic material
in the cytoplasm.
Prokaryotic
Composed of several fundamental components
Ribosome Rough endoplasmic
reticulum.
Mitochondria
Golgi Apparatus
Nucleus
Cell membrane
Microtubules
Centriole
Lysosome and
peroxisome
Chloroplasts
These components work together to maintain cellular
homeostasis and perform essential life activities.
Structure and
basic functions
Cell membrane
The cell membrane surrounds the cell
and is a selective barrier between the
interior and the exterior.
Its primary role lies in regulating the
passage of substances, including
nutrients and waste materials.
Within it, specialized proteins play a
crucial role in facilitating molecular
transport and cellular communication.
Cell nucleus
An organelle that houses DNA, located
in the center of eukaryotic cells.
Its primary function is to store and
safeguard genetic information,
controlling gene expression and DNA
replication.
It also contains the nucleolus, which is
involved in ribosome synthesis.
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a gel-like matrix
containing water, salts, proteins, and
other molecules. It occupies the
intracellular space between the cell
membrane and the nucleus.
It plays a crucial role in biochemical
reactions, energy production, and
substance transport. Essential for
cellular metabolism, it provides
structural support to the cell.
Protein Synthesis
Building and repairing cellular structures, regulating biological
processes, and expressing specific characteristics of each organism.
Ribosome
Ribosomes are essential organelles for
cellular functioning and survival.
Ribosomes are located in the
cytoplasm and the rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
They synthesize proteins using the
genetic information from messenger
RNA (mRNA), which is crucial for
cellular structure, function, and
regulation.
Endoplasmic reticulum
A network of interconnected membranes that
extends from the nuclear membrane to the
cell membrane. It plays a fundamental role in
the transport, processing, and distribution of
proteins and lipids within the cell.
There are two main types of ER:
• The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) is
studded with ribosomes and is involved in
the synthesis and modification of proteins.
• The Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
specializes in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate
metabolism, and detoxification.
Golgi apparatus
Key in the processing and packaging of
proteins and lipids produced in the
endoplasmic reticulum.
Composed of a series of flattened sacs called
cisternae, it acts as the 'shipping center' of the
cell, sorting and packaging proteins into
vesicles for transport and distribution.
It synthesizes carbohydrates and lipoproteins
and is essential for maintaining the cell's
internal balance and facilitating
communication with the outside.
Energy Supply
To carry out vital functions and necessary metabolic processes
essential for the proper functioning of the cell and/or organism.
Mitochondria
Present in eukaryotic animal and plant
cells. Their primary function is energy
generation through cellular respiration
(ATP production).
The double membrane of mitochondria
allows for the organization of various
stages of the respiratory chain, making it
crucial for cellular function and survival.
Chloroplasts
Exclusive to plant cells and
photosynthetic organisms, chloroplasts
carry out photosynthesis, converting
solar energy into chemical energy.
During photosynthesis, they synthesize
glucose and other organic compounds
using carbon dioxide and water,
releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
They are responsible for the crucial
production of oxygen that sustains
the planet.
Cellular Digestion
It involves breaking down molecules and unwanted materials,
enabling the recycling of nutrients and cellular maintenance.
Lysosomes Peroxisomes
They contain enzymes that degrade
hydrogen peroxide and toxic
compounds, thereby protecting the
cell from oxidative damage.
Additionally, they play a role in the
synthesis and degradation of lipids
and bile acids, regulating lipid
metabolism and overall homeostasis.
They contain digestive enzymes that
break down molecules and unwanted
cellular materials.
They facilitate cellular digestion, by
disposing of waste, recycling
nutrients, and defending against
pathogenic invasions.
Support and
Movement
Maintaining cellular shape, enabling cellular movement
and division, are essential for its functioning and survival.
Cytoskeleton
It is composed of protein filaments
(microtubules, microfilaments, and
intermediate filaments) and provides
support and enables movement in
eukaryotic cells.
Its specific functions encompass stability,
intracellular transport, and contraction.
Furthermore, it regulates cellular shape
and plays a role in division, migration,
and communication.
Flagella and cilia
Specialized structures for movement.
They are elongated and enable
locomotion in liquid environments,
whereas cilia are shorter and create
coordinated flow on the cell surface.
Composed of microtubules in a
'9+2' pattern, they are essential
for sperm motility.
Storage and
Transportation
They manage nutrients, eliminate waste,
and regulate metabolic processes.
Vacuoles
Membrane-bound organelles found in
plant cells and some animal cells. They
store nutrients, water, ions, and waste
materials, regulating turgor pressure
and osmotic balance.
Vacuoles can also be involved in the
digestion of substances and serve as a
defense mechanism against predators
by containing toxins.
Vesicles and endosomes
Membranous vesicles that transport
specific materials between organelles
and the cell membrane.
Vesicles: They transport materials from
the endoplasmic reticulum and the
Golgi apparatus to other destinations.
Endosomes: They capture and
distribute materials for degradation,
recycling, or their incorporation into
metabolic pathways.
Thank you!
Any questions?

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Biology: Fundamental Unit of Life -- Cell

  • 2. table of contents: 03 Structure and basic functions. 04 Protein synthesis. 05 Energy supply. 06 Cellular digestion. 07 Support and movement. 08 Storage and transportation. 01 Cell. 02 Types of cells: components.
  • 3. Cell Basic and fundamental unit of life, it possesses a highly organized structure that enables it to carry out its vital functions.
  • 4. Cellulose cell wall; chloroplasts and vacuoles. Plant Types of Cells Prokaryotic Lack a defined nucleus Eukaryotic Have a defined nucleus Rigid cell wall; may have flagella. Animal They can have a cell wall, without differentiated tissues. Protist Chitin Cell Wall; they are heterotrophs. Fungal Dispersed genetic material in the cytoplasm. Prokaryotic
  • 5. Composed of several fundamental components Ribosome Rough endoplasmic reticulum. Mitochondria Golgi Apparatus Nucleus Cell membrane Microtubules Centriole Lysosome and peroxisome Chloroplasts
  • 6. These components work together to maintain cellular homeostasis and perform essential life activities. Structure and basic functions
  • 7. Cell membrane The cell membrane surrounds the cell and is a selective barrier between the interior and the exterior. Its primary role lies in regulating the passage of substances, including nutrients and waste materials. Within it, specialized proteins play a crucial role in facilitating molecular transport and cellular communication.
  • 8. Cell nucleus An organelle that houses DNA, located in the center of eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to store and safeguard genetic information, controlling gene expression and DNA replication. It also contains the nucleolus, which is involved in ribosome synthesis.
  • 9. Cytoplasm The cytoplasm is a gel-like matrix containing water, salts, proteins, and other molecules. It occupies the intracellular space between the cell membrane and the nucleus. It plays a crucial role in biochemical reactions, energy production, and substance transport. Essential for cellular metabolism, it provides structural support to the cell.
  • 10. Protein Synthesis Building and repairing cellular structures, regulating biological processes, and expressing specific characteristics of each organism.
  • 11. Ribosome Ribosomes are essential organelles for cellular functioning and survival. Ribosomes are located in the cytoplasm and the rough endoplasmic reticulum. They synthesize proteins using the genetic information from messenger RNA (mRNA), which is crucial for cellular structure, function, and regulation.
  • 12. Endoplasmic reticulum A network of interconnected membranes that extends from the nuclear membrane to the cell membrane. It plays a fundamental role in the transport, processing, and distribution of proteins and lipids within the cell. There are two main types of ER: • The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) is studded with ribosomes and is involved in the synthesis and modification of proteins. • The Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) specializes in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and detoxification.
  • 13. Golgi apparatus Key in the processing and packaging of proteins and lipids produced in the endoplasmic reticulum. Composed of a series of flattened sacs called cisternae, it acts as the 'shipping center' of the cell, sorting and packaging proteins into vesicles for transport and distribution. It synthesizes carbohydrates and lipoproteins and is essential for maintaining the cell's internal balance and facilitating communication with the outside.
  • 14. Energy Supply To carry out vital functions and necessary metabolic processes essential for the proper functioning of the cell and/or organism.
  • 15. Mitochondria Present in eukaryotic animal and plant cells. Their primary function is energy generation through cellular respiration (ATP production). The double membrane of mitochondria allows for the organization of various stages of the respiratory chain, making it crucial for cellular function and survival.
  • 16. Chloroplasts Exclusive to plant cells and photosynthetic organisms, chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, they synthesize glucose and other organic compounds using carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. They are responsible for the crucial production of oxygen that sustains the planet.
  • 17. Cellular Digestion It involves breaking down molecules and unwanted materials, enabling the recycling of nutrients and cellular maintenance.
  • 18. Lysosomes Peroxisomes They contain enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and toxic compounds, thereby protecting the cell from oxidative damage. Additionally, they play a role in the synthesis and degradation of lipids and bile acids, regulating lipid metabolism and overall homeostasis. They contain digestive enzymes that break down molecules and unwanted cellular materials. They facilitate cellular digestion, by disposing of waste, recycling nutrients, and defending against pathogenic invasions.
  • 19. Support and Movement Maintaining cellular shape, enabling cellular movement and division, are essential for its functioning and survival.
  • 20. Cytoskeleton It is composed of protein filaments (microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments) and provides support and enables movement in eukaryotic cells. Its specific functions encompass stability, intracellular transport, and contraction. Furthermore, it regulates cellular shape and plays a role in division, migration, and communication.
  • 21. Flagella and cilia Specialized structures for movement. They are elongated and enable locomotion in liquid environments, whereas cilia are shorter and create coordinated flow on the cell surface. Composed of microtubules in a '9+2' pattern, they are essential for sperm motility.
  • 22. Storage and Transportation They manage nutrients, eliminate waste, and regulate metabolic processes.
  • 23. Vacuoles Membrane-bound organelles found in plant cells and some animal cells. They store nutrients, water, ions, and waste materials, regulating turgor pressure and osmotic balance. Vacuoles can also be involved in the digestion of substances and serve as a defense mechanism against predators by containing toxins.
  • 24. Vesicles and endosomes Membranous vesicles that transport specific materials between organelles and the cell membrane. Vesicles: They transport materials from the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus to other destinations. Endosomes: They capture and distribute materials for degradation, recycling, or their incorporation into metabolic pathways.