This document summarizes key aspects of cell structure and function. It begins by defining a cell as the smallest unit capable of life functions and outlines common traits such as a cell membrane and cytoplasm. It then compares cell sizes and shapes, noting how shape relates to function. The document introduces the two main cell types - prokaryotic and eukaryotic - and describes their distinguishing features. Finally, it provides an overview of major cell organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and vacuoles, explaining each organelle's structure and role within the cell.

1. Chapter 2: Section 1 (Cells)
I. Cell Structure

3. A. Common Cell Traits
1. Cell: Smallest unit that is capable of performing
life functions.
2. Every cell has a CELL MEMBRANE.
a. In animal cells it is the outer layer.
b. In plant cells it is just inside the CELL WALL.
3. Every cell has cytoplasm.
a. Cytoplasm is a gelatin like material that fills the inside
of the cell.
b. In the cytoplasm of every cell is hereditary material
that controls the life of the cell.

4. B. Comparing Cells
1. Cells come in many sizes.
a. Nerve Cells can be up to a meter long.
b. Human Egg Cell is the size of the dot on the
letter i.
c. Human Red Blood Cell is 1/10th the dot on an i.
d. Bacteria Cell is the smallest known cell.
1. 8,000 will fit inside the dot on an i.
e. Ostrich Egg Yolk is the largest known cell.
f. Plant cells are generally more
square/rectangular shaped.
g. Animal cells are usually more round shaped.

5. OSTRICH EGG COMPARED TO A
NORMAL EGG

6. 2. Cells can also vary in shape.
a. Their shape is normally determined by the job it is
doing.
3. Examples of cell shapes:
a. Nerve Cells: have many extensions in order to send
signals faster and over large distances.
b. Muscle Cells: can be long and skinny when relaxed;
can be short and fat when tightened.
c. Red Blood Cells: small and round in order to easily
flow through all the blood vessels TO DELIVER OXYGEN
to all cells.
d. White Blood Cells: can change shape easily because
they eat and devour any harmful object.

7. CELL SHAPES: See page 38 in your book!!!

8. C. Types of Cells
1. Prokaryotic: Cells without a membrane
around the internal cell parts
a. This means they do not have a NUCLEAR
MEMBRANE around the DNA.
b. Example: Bacteria
2. Eukaryotic: Cells with membranes around
their internal cell parts.
a. They have a NUCLEAR MEMBRANE around
their DNA.
b. Examples: Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals.

9. Prokaryote
Vs.
Eukaryote

10. Comparing
Prokaryotic
and
Eukaryotic

11. D. What is Cell Organization?
1. Each cell in your body has a specific job.
a. Because of this cells have specific parts that are needed to
perform specific tasks.
2. Organelles are the parts of a cell.
a. Organelles means little organs in Latin.

12. Chapter 2: Section 1
II. Cell Organelles

13. A. Cell Wall: The outer layer of a plants,
bacteria, some protists, and fungi.
1. Description: It is tough and rigid.
2. Function: to protect, give the cell its
shape and allow materials into and
out of the cell.
a. Water, food and oxygen/CO2 need to get into
the cell. (Raw materials for the cell)
b. CO2/ Oxygen and wastes need to get out
of the cell. (Waste products)

14. 3. Plant cell walls are made up of a carbohydrate
called CELLULOSE.
a. Makes plant cells tougher than animal cells.

15. B. Cell Membrane
1. Outer layer n all animal cells and some protists.
2. 2nd layer inside cell wall in plants.
3. Function: allow materials into and out of the
cell; protection.
a. Water, Oxygen, and Food enter.
b. Wastes and CO2 exit.
4. Cell membranes are less rigid and softer than cell
walls.

16. C. Cytoplasm
1. Gelatin like substance found inside the cell.
2. Functions
a. Hold cell parts in place.
b. Allow chemical reactions to occur.
c. Hold cytoskeleton (the framework of a cell; provides
strength and ability to change shape if needed.)

17. D. Nucleus
1. Function: Directs all cell activities; the brain of
the cell.
2. Parts of the Nucleus:
a. Nuclear Membrane: Outer layer of the nucleus that
has pores to allow materials in and out of nucleus;
provides protection for the nucleus.
b. Chromatin: Stands of material that contain all the
DNA of the cell. Eventually become chromosomes.
c. Nucleolus: Make ribosomes when needed; not always
visible, only swells up when proteins are needed.

18. Nucleus, Nucleolus, and
Chromatin

19. Liver cell nucleus and nucleolus

20. E. Chloroplasts
1. Only found in green cells of plants, algae and
green bacteria.
2. Function: allow cells to make their own food by
using chlorophyll.
a. Chlorophyll: green pigment that absorbs sunlight and
changes it into food energy.
b. The food that a plant makes is a sugar called GLUCOSE.

21. F. Mitochondria
1. Function: Breaks down “food” into energy for
the cell.
2. Nicknamed the powerhouse of the cell.
3. Shaped like a bean.
4. Number of mitochondria varies by cell type.
a. More active a cell; the more mitochondria it has
b. Heart and Muscle cells will have many mitochondria.

22. G. Ribosomes
1. Function: to make proteins for the cell.
2. Can be found in 2 places:
a. Attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum. (ER)
b. Free floating in the cytoplasm.
3. Made by the nucleolus and moved to either the
ER or cytoplasm.

23. H. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
1. (hallways) Series of interconnected folded
membranes; extends from nucleus to the cell
membrane allows material to be processed and
moved throughout the cell.
2. Two Types of ER:
a. Rough ER: has ribosomes attached.
b. Smooth ER: no ribosomes, processes lipids.

24. I. Golgi Bodies (Golgi Apparatus)
1. Golgi Bodies sort, package, and ship proteins
when needed.
2. Different from the ER because the Golgi bodies
are not interconnected.

25. J. Vacuoles (Closets)
1. Temporary storage units for anything .
2. Most will hold water, extra food, waste products
and other cellular material.
3. Vary in size and number between plant and
animal cells.
a. Plant Cells usually have one large vacuole.
b. Animal cells usually have many small vacuoles.

26. K. Lysosomes
1. Contain digestive chemicals that help break
down food molecules, wastes, and old cell parts.
2. Lysosomes have a thick membrane to prevent
the chemicals from leaking out.
a. The enzymes inside a lysosome could damage other
cell parts if they leak out!!!!!

27. L. Plant vs Animal Cells
1. Plant Cells
a. Have chloroplasts, cell wall, and one large vacuole.
b. More rectangular in shape.
c. Generally have a green color.
2. Animal Cells
a. No cell wall, no chloroplasts, and many small vacuoles.
b. More circular in shape.
c. Color and shape varies on the function of the cell.

28. Animal
Cell
Plant
Cell

29. REIVEW OF LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION
• 1) CELLS- basic unit of life. Red Blood cells, White
Blood Cells, Heart cells.
• 2) TISSUES – Group of similar cells that work together to
do one job. Muscle Tissue, Brain Tissue, etc.
• 3) ORGANS – Group of similar tissues that work together
to do one job. EX: Heart, Brain, Bones, Muscles
• 4) SYSTEM – Group of similar organs that work together
to do one job.
• EX: Cardiovascular, Skeleton, etc.
• 5) ORGANISM – a complete living thing
• DO NOT COPY THIS SLIDE…THIS IS A
REVIEW!!!!!