Cell Structure and Function Chapter 7 Cell Structure and Function
Scientists 1st to see cells – Robert Hooke - Observed cork under a microscope – named the “boxes” – cells Anton van Leeuwenhoek – 1st to observe living cells
Cell Theory 1. All organisms are made of cells - Schleiden – plants made of cells - Schwann – animals made of cells 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all organisms. 3. All cells come from pre-existing cells. (Virchow) - 1 exception – the first cell (from nonliving)
Size and Shape Size and shape vary; related to function Examples Human skin cells – flat, irregular, small – protection Nerve cells – long, thin, string-like – transmit info throughout body White blood cells – can change shape to escape vessels – fight disease
Size is limited by surface area As surface area increases, volume increases faster
Types of cells Prokaryotes No nucleus No organelles w/ a membrane Size – 1-10 um ~ 3.5 bya Ex. bacteria Eukaryotes Nucleus Organelles w/ a membrane Size – 2-1000 um ~ 1.5 bya Ex. All other living things