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CELLS STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
All living things are made up of small structures called cells. These basic building blocks of
living things can carry out functions alone or as a group. A cell is a basic unit of life. Living
things are either unicellular (made up of one cell) or multi cellular (made up of many cells).
There are basically two types of cells; the animal and plant cell. The basic structure of these two
cells is remarkably similar however there are strikingly significant differences. A cell consists of
a mass of protoplasm which cytoplasm is containing nucleus surrounded by a membra
ne cell membrane.
General diagram of an animal cell
Feature Brief description Function
Cell membrane Outer envelope for an animal cell Control movement of substances in
Thin and flexible and out of a cell
Selectively permeable
Cytoplasm Fluid containing dissolved substances, Site for chemical reactions
suspended particles and inclusions such
as cell organelles Source of nutrients for nourishment
of cell structure
Nucleus Largest cell organelle consists of a Control all chemical reactions taking
nuclear membrane enclosing genetic place in a cell.
material. Genetic material is mainly
thread like chromosomes which
contains DNA.
Mitochondrion Relatively large cell organelles, made Site for respiration
up of a smooth outer membrane and
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inner one folded into projections.
Ribosome Appear on electron micrographs as Site for protein synthesis
dark small spots/cell organelles
General diagram of a plant cell
In addition structures found in the basic animal structure plant cells have cell wall, chloroplast
and vacuole.
Feature Brief description function
Cell wall Outermost membrane in plant Forms a strong supportive
cells which maintains the shape of a
Tough and rigid membrane plant cells and a protective
made up of cellulose structure enclosing the entire
Freely permeable plant cell structure.
Chloroplast Green pigment, chlorophyll, Site for photosynthesis
containing cell organelles
Chlorophyll traps light
necessary for photosynthesis
Vacuole Usually central to the cell, Maintain the shape of a plant
bounded by a selectively cell
permeable membrane, filled
with a fluid called cell sap.
Cell sap contains water, ions
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and stored substances.
Cell specialization
Specialized cells are modified in structure and through chemical composition to efficiently
perform specific functions. Examples
Example Function Features
Root hair cell Absorb water and mineral Presence of long thin,
ions from the soil curling root hair
extensions which increase
surface area for absorption
and penetrate deep into
the soil
Very thin cell wall
Large, extending vacuole
Its cell sap stronger than
soil solution
Numerous root hair cells
Red blood cell Transport oxygen around Biconcave discs
the body
Presence of haemoglobin
Absence of nucleus
Flexible cell membrane
and spongy cytoplasm
Very tiny cells and
numerous in number in
the bloodstream
Palisade cells Most photosynthetic cells Compact arrangement
Presence of a lot of
chloroplast
Elongated shape
Positioned next to the
upper epidermal layer
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Xylem cells Transport water and Elongated cells arranged
dissolved mineral ions end to end
from the roots to the
leaves
Lignified and rigid
Support / anchor the plant
Narrow and hollow
Guard cells Control the opening and Curved shaped
closure of the stomata
Rigid and strong internal
cell wall
Respond to light as a
stimulus
Nerve cell
Ciliated cells Form epithelium (lining) Presence of cilia which
of the oviduct and air continuously flickering
passages
Presence of mucus
producing cells
Compact arrangement
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Sperm cell Carry male gamete Presence of a tail for
nucleus to fertilize the swimming along the
ovum female reproductive
system
Release an enzymatic
fluid at the tip of head
Presence of a lot of
mitochondria
Less cytoplasm, nucleus
occupying nearly all the
space at the head
Muscle cell Contract and relax to Flexible, elongated with a
facilitate movement lot of mitochondria
Nerve cells Conduct electrical Presence of the myelin
impulses (fatty) sheath for
insulation
Long , thin fibres; axon
and dendron
Cytoplasm highly
concentrated with ions
Presence of dendrites;
contact points.
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Phagocyte Carry out phagocytosis Large irregular shaped
nucleus
Flexible cell membrane
Flowing cytoplasm
Cell Organisation
In multi cellular organisms cells are usually grouped in large numbers bringing about a collective
and coordinated effect on their functions. An increase in number of cells occurs by cell division
and that indicate growth.
Tissue – A group of structurally similar cells grouped together to perform a specific function.
examples bone, blood, nerve, bone, muscle, cartilage, epidermis, phloem, xylem, cortex
Organ – Several tissues grouped together making a functional unit. Examples; kidney, liver,
lung, stomach, leaf, root, heart
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System – A group of organs whose functions are coordinated to produce an effective action in
the organism. Examples; digestive, nervous, circulatory, root, breathing, excretory
Organism- formed from a number of organs and systems.
