Cell Structure and Function

Cells: The Basic Units of Life

Cell Structure

• Plasma Membrane: semipermeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment
• Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur
• Nucleus: control center of the cell where DNA is stored
• Mitochondria: powerhouses of the cell where energy is produced
• Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes: membrane-bound sacs that contain digestive enzymes
• Cytoskeleton: network of filaments that provides structural support and shape

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic Cells: lack a true nucleus, typically found in bacteria
  • Characteristics: small, simple, and single-celled
• Eukaryotic Cells: have a true nucleus, found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists
  • Characteristics: larger, more complex, and can be multicellular

Cell Functions

• Metabolism: process of converting energy and nutrients into ATP
• Growth and Development: increase in cell size and number, leading to tissue formation
• Response to Stimuli: ability to react to changes in the environment
• Reproduction: production of new cells through cell division
• Transportation: movement of molecules and ions across the cell membrane

Cell Division

• Mitosis: process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
• Meiosis: process of cell division that results in four non-identical daughter cells (gametes)

Cellular Transport

• Passive Transport: movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy
  • Types: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion
• Active Transport: movement of molecules from low to high concentration using energy
  • Types: carrier proteins, pumps

Cell Structure

• Plasma membrane is semipermeable, separating the cell from its environment
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic reactions occur
• Nucleus is the control center of the cell where DNA is stored
• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell where energy is produced
• Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis
• Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs that contain digestive enzymes
• Cytoskeleton is a network of filaments that provides structural support and shape

Cell Types

• Prokaryotic cells lack a true nucleus and are typically found in bacteria
• Characteristics of prokaryotic cells: small, simple, and single-celled
• Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and are found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists
• Characteristics of eukaryotic cells: larger, more complex, and can be multicellular

Cell Functions

• Metabolism is the process of converting energy and nutrients into ATP
• Growth and development is the increase in cell size and number, leading to tissue formation
• Response to stimuli is the ability to react to changes in the environment
• Reproduction is the production of new cells through cell division
• Transportation is the movement of molecules and ions across the cell membrane

Cell Division

• Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
• Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four non-identical daughter cells (gametes)

Cellular Transport

• Passive transport is the movement of molecules from high to low concentration without energy
• Types of passive transport: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion
• Active transport is the movement of molecules from low to high concentration using energy
• Types of active transport: carrier proteins, pumps

Explore the different components of a cell, including the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and more. Learn about the functions of each organelle and how they work together to keep the cell alive.