Cells are the basic building blocks of living organisms. They are too small to see with the naked eye and need to be viewed with a microscope. The main purpose of cells is to organize the different parts of an organism and hold the biological equipment necessary to sustain life. There are many types of cells that can differ in shape and size, including animal and plant cells. Animal cells are eukaryotic with internal structures like a nucleus, mitochondria, and vacuoles, while plant cells have additional cell walls and chloroplasts.

1. The Basic Structure and Function
of Cells
By Ita P. Rodríguez
3rd Grade

2. Definition of Cells
• Cells are the basic building blocks of living
organisms
–Just like brick can be a building block of a
house

3. Definition of Cells
• Cells are so small you cannot see them with
your naked eye
–you need a microscope

4. Purpose of Cells
• The main purpose of a cell
is to organize
–Cells hold different pieces
and each cell has a different
set of jobs
–Cells are small
compartments that hold all of
the biological equipment
necessary to keep an
organism alive and successful
on Earth

5. Purpose of Cells

6. Types of Cells
• There are many types of cells
–They can have different shapes and sizes
Smallest Cells: Longest Cells: Biggest Cells:
6 inches long, 5 inches wide, 3 pounds
Ostrich Egg

7. Types of Cells
• There are many types of cells
–We will discuss animal cells and plants cells

8. Animal Cells
• Animal cells are eukaryotic (it means they
have a nucleus)

9. Vacuole

10. Cell Parts
• Nucleus: controls the cell
–It helps control eating, movement, and
reproduction just like a brain in animals
–The nucleus is not always in the center of the
cell, but you won't find it near the edge of a cell
because it's dangerous

11. Cell Parts
• Mitochondrion: gives the cell energy
–converts energy stored in food into usable
energy for work

12. Cell Parts
• Vacuole: contains the waste or trash

13. Cell Parts
• Ribosomes: makes the proteins for the cell

14. Cell Parts
• Golgi Apparatus: packs protein
–it receives, processes, packages, and ships
protein

15. Cell Parts
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like fluid that holds the cell
in place
–contains salts, minerals and organic molecules
–surrounds the other parts

16. Cell Parts
• Cell Membrane: the structure that separates
the inside of the cell from the outside of the
cell

17. Cell Parts
• Lysosome: purpose is to digest things
–breaks down food particles, invading objects,
or worn out cell parts

18. Plant Cells
• Plant cells are eukaryotic (it means they have
a nucleus)

19. Plant Cells
Ribosomes

20. Cell Parts
• Cell Wall: purpose is to help the plant keep
its shape
–It's like taking a water balloon and putting it in
a cardboard box. The balloon is protected from the
outside world.

21. Cell Parts
• Chloroplast: are the food producers of the
cell
–they create sugars that the plant uses

22. Comparing Animal and Plant Cells
• Look closely at the similarities and
differences between an animal cell and a
plant cell

23. THE END