Exploring Life & Cells

The Development of microscopes Before microscopes, people did not know that living things were made of cells. Robert Hooke – mid 1600s – observed and named “cells” Anton van Leeuwenhoek – late 1600s – Dutch merchant – improved first microscope to 270x magnification Magnification – how much larger it makes things look Resolution – how clear the image is

Understanding Cells Cells are so small you need a microscope to see them. Robert Hooke – English scientist – looked at cork in the microscope. Reminded him of honeycombs or monk cells. Cellula – small rooms

The Cell Theory Matthias Schleiden – German – plant cells. Theodor Schwann – German – animal cells Rudolf Virchow – German doctor – cells come from pre-existing (already there) cells.

1. All living things are made of ≥1 cells. 1 2 3 1. All living things are made of ≥1 cells. 2. Cell is the smallest unit of life. 3. All new cells come from pre-existing cells. (not spontaneous generation)

Cells are made of smaller parts that are joined together. Basic Cell substances Cells are made of smaller parts that are joined together. Macromolecules = small molecules joined together.

The Main Ingredient: WATER! Water ≥ 70% of cell’s volume Essential for life! Water surrounds cells, too! Helps maintain homeostasis – stable internal conditions Substances (things) must be in liquid to move in and out of cells.

Water is polar = has a – side, and a + side Lets them stick together like magnets!

4 types: nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates Macromolecules 4 types: nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates

Nucleaic acids Examples: DNA and RNA Made of: Amino acids Function: Genetic Information Instructions for cell growth and reproduction. DNA  RNA  Proteins

Proteins Made of: LONG CHAINS of Amino acids Function: communication, transport substances breakdown food structural support: Hair, horns, feathers

Lipids Does not dissolve in water = FATS! Function: protective barriers in cells Example: cell membrane (cell’s skin) Energy storage communication

carbohydrates ≥1 sugar molecule Function: Longer ones are called “starch” Function: Store energy Structural support communication