Course Module

ANATOMY
&
PHYSIOLOGY
<BSSC004>
 Lesson 5

THE CELL

Alicia Lonzame-Lopena, RN MAN

Lesson Content
1. General characteristics of the cell.
2. Cytoplasmic organelles and their specific
functions.
3. Movements of substances into and out of
the cell.
4. The cell cycle.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the following objectives
should be attained:
1. Explain how cells differ from one another.
2. Describe the cell nucleus and its parts
3. List down the different organelles and their specific
functions
4. Explain the different methods by which substances move
in and out of the cell
5. Discuss the different stages of cell division.
 Cell is the basic unit of life and all life activities
result from the activities of the cell. The study of cell
begin with the invention of the light microscope and
has continued with the development of the electron
microscope.
Cell functions are carried out by specialized
structures within the cell. What enters and leaves the
cell is regulated by the cell membrane. Our body is
made up of trillions of cell and knowing and
understanding it, is very important in understanding
anatomy and physiology.

(Audio)
350 years ago, Robert Hooke discovered
the first cell while examining plant
fragments under the microscope.
The human body is so complex it has
trillions of cells.
All cells are microscopic but differ greatly in
size and shape.
All cells exhibit 5 unique characteristic of
life.
a. Growth
b. Metabolism
c. Responsiveness
d. Reproduction
e. Homeostasis – the body’s internal
environment is relatively constant.
All cells have three major parts.
1. Nucleus
2. Plasma membrane
3. Cytoplasm
NUCLEUS
• The largest organelle within the cell
• Responsible for cell reproduction.
• Surrounded by nuclear membrane.
• It contains two specialized structures: nucleolus and
chromatin granules
• Nucleolus is important in the formation of protein.
• Chromatin granules are composed of protein and
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
• DNA contains the genetic code or blueprint of the body
PLASMA MEMBRANE
• Encloses the cytoplasm and forms the outer boundary of the
cell.
• It is strong enough to keep the cell whole and intact
• Serve as a gateway between the fluid inside the cell and the
fluid around it.
• Selectively permeable – permit certain substances to enter
and leave while not allowing other substances to cross.
• This membrane separates the content of the cell from the
dilute salt water solution called interstitial fluid or tissue
fluid.
CYTOPLASM
• Found only within a cell
• Also known as protoplasm
• Contain 70% water including minerals and enzymes
• It contains numerous organelles
• Because organelles are so small, they were discovered
only after the development of electron microscope
Organelles within the cytoplasm
1. Endoplasmic reticulum – functions as a circulating system
by carrying substances from one part of the cell to another.
2. Ribosomes – they produce enzymes or proteins
3. Mitochondria – powerhouse of the cell. They take food and
convert it to a complex energy form called adenosine
triphosphate (ATP). It supplies energy for cell activities.
4. Lysosomes – contains enzyme that digest food compounds
and microbes that have invaded the cells
5. Golgi apparatus – it packages certain carbohydrate and
protein compound into globules. Then it moves outward to
the cell membrane where it breaks open for cell
reproduction
Protein Synthesis
Protein is a component of every cell in the body.
Protein production relies on nucleic acid in the cell
cytoplasm and nucleus
Two important nucleic acids are DNA which is located in
the nucleus and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) which is located in
both the nucleus and cytoplasm.
The DNA encodes a message for protein synthesis as RNA
and sends the RNA to ribosomes in the cytoplasm where
the protein is produced.
DNA is the chemical blueprint.
RNA is the chemical messenger.
Cell Division
• All cells except sex cells reproduce by mitosis – a type of cell
division in which the original cell divides to form 2 daughter cells.
• Each daughter cell has the same characteristics.
• Each daughter cell contains the same number of chromosomes as
the parent cell.
• Each chromosome in the daughter cell contains complete genetic
information.
• the chromosome (spindle shaped rods) in the nucleus carry the
genes that are responsible for the organism’s traits including
hereditary factors.
• Each body cells in humans contains 46 chromosomes which exists
in pair.
• At the time of fertilization, one member of each pair is received
from the father and one is received from the mother to form a total
of 23 pairs of chromosomes
Four Phases of Cell Division
1. Prophase – the chromosomes in the nucleus form two
strands called chromatids.
2. Metaphase – the nuclear membrane and nucleolus
disappear, the chromosomes are aligned across the center
of the cell. The centrioles goes to the opposite end of the
cell, and spindle fibers are attached to each chromatid.
3. Anaphase – the chromosomes are pulled to the opposite
end of the cell, and cell division begins.
4. Telophase – two nuclei appears and the chromosomes
disperse and two new daughter cells appear.
Movement of Materials Across the Cell Membrane
• For cell to survive, it needs food and oxygen and to
secrete it’s waste product
• Several processes are involved to allow substances into
and out of the cell
• These processes are classified as passive transport and
active transport.
• Active transport – involves chemical activity that allows
the cell to admit larger molecules.
• Passive transport – the cell obtains energy for active
transport from an important chemical substance called
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). ATP is produced in the cell
from nutrients and releases energy so the cell can work.
Other active processes are the following
1. Phagocytosis (Cell-eating) – the process permits a cell
to engulf or surround any foreign material and to digest
it. The WBC in the human body often perform this
function.
2. Pinocytosis (Cell-drinking) – the process by which extra
cellular fluid is taken into the cell.
Passive transport – the primary passive transport process
include
1. Diffusion – process in which solid particles in a fluid
move from an area of higher concentration to a lower
area of concentration resulting to even distribution.
2. Osmosis – passage of water across a selective
permeable membrane with water molecules going from
less concentrated solution to a more concentrated
solution.
3. Filtration – movement of water and particles through a
membrane by force from either pressure or gravity.
Movement is from area of greater pressure to area of
lesser pressure
SUMMARY
To end today’s lesson, let us summarize some
important key points and concepts:
1. Cells may vary in size, shape and functions
2. The cell have 3 major parts: nucleus, the cytoplasm and the cell
membrane
3. There are different organelles in the cytoplasm and each have their
own specific function.
4. The cell membrane have a selective permeability that controls the
in and out movement between the cell and its surrounding.
5. Mitosis is the division and distribution of DNA to daughter cells.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Watch the video clip on cell division:

[Link]
NEXT LESSON
Lesson 6: Tissues
ASSESSMENT
A 25-item assessment test for
lesson 3,4 and 5 will be posted in
the Google classroom. The test
can be availed on
(-Date-) at (-time-)
REFERENCES / RESOURCES
• Shier, David, et al. Hole’s Human Anatomy and
Physiology, 14th ed. McGrow Hill Education. 2016
• Any textbook in Anatomy and Physiology
• [Link]