LESSON 2: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF

MAJOR AND SUBCELLULAR ORGANELLES

The principal parts of a cell are:
1. Cell membrane
2. Cytoplasm
3. Nucleus
The nucleus is covered with a membrane that allows
materials to pass in and out. It’s often called the “control
center” of the cell because it contains DNA. The nucleolus
is where the ribosomes are formed and this structure can be
found both in plants and animals.

The cell membrane is a semi-permeable membrane that facilitate the

movement of molecules inside and outside the plant or animal cell. It
allows only chosen substances to enter or leave cell which can protect the
cell from harmful substances.

The cell membrane is often pictured as

fluid mosaic model. Fluidity becomes its
characteristic because its molecules are
constantly moving. The phospholipid molecules move sideways
within the membrane. Since the plasma membrane is fluid, it can
seal itself if it is damaged or broken.

The cytoplasm is a viscous fluid or jelly like material where organelles

are embedded. Its jelly like feature secures the organelles in plants
and animals so that they remain in place.

The Mitochondria are called the

“powerhouses” of cells. They produce
much of the energy a plant or animal cell needs to carry out its
functions. They are the centers of cellular respiration, a process in
which energy-rich ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) that functions in
energy storage and transfer is produced.

A vacuole is the storage area of the cell. Vacuoles store water, food, and
waste. Animals have a very small vacuole while plants as the producers
through the process of photosynthesis have a big central vacuole.

QUARTER 1 | WEEK 1
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a series of tunnels throughout the
cytoplasm.
They transport proteins from one part of the cell to another
that is why they are called as the transport center of the cell.
E.R in plants and animals form a network of tiny canals
through the cell. These canals are formed by two parallel
membranes. They connect the nuclear membrane and the plasma
membrane thus serving as passageway for food substances.

Two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum:

Smooth- ribosome free and functions in detoxification of lipids.
Rough - contains ribosomes and releases newly made protein from the cell.

Ribosomes are the protein factories of the cell. These are very
essential since all the functions and processes in plant and animal
cell requires protein. Even all the organelles inside the cell are
made up of proteins making ribosomes very important.

Golgi bodies receive proteins

and other compounds from the ER. They package these materials and
distribute them to the plant and animal parts of the cell.

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that can break things down.

Lysosomes pick up bacteria, food, and old organelles in plant and
animal cell and break them into small pieces that can be reused.

The cytoskeleton is a series of fibers made from proteins. It provides structure to the cell and gives it its
shape.

COMPONENTS OF CYTOSKELETON
Microtubules- absent in plant cell, it provides pathways for
certain cellular molecules to move about just as tracks are provided
for railroad cars or trains. It is also found in structures like the cilia and
flagella which both aid in movement. For examples, the cells that line
your windpipe use cilia to sweep foreign materials from the lungs.
Sperm cells use flagella to move. It is also involved in cell division as a mitotic spindle.
Intermediate filaments- these are absent in plants. Since they are the most stable component
of the cytoskeleton, they are found in durable structures such as hair, scales, and fingernails. They also
help provide structure to the nuclear envelope.
Microfilaments- pipe-like structures and help provide shape and movement for the cells.
Examples of microfilaments are found in muscle cells.

QUARTER 1 | WEEK 1
 Cell wall is a rigid organelle composed of cellulose that gives plant
cell its box-like shape. The cell wall consist of several distinct layers. The
primary cell wall is the outer layer, it expands as the cell grows. As the plant
reaches its full size, a secondary cell wall develops inside the primary cell
wall. This new layer adds strength to the wall. Two primary cell walls of
adjacent cells are separated by another layer, the middle lamella which is
composed of a jelly like polysaccharide called pectin. Both the primary and
secondary walls are composed mainly of polysaccharide cellulose which is
commercially important as the main component of paper and cotton. Aside for cellulose, the
secondary walls usually contain lignin, a complex organic compound that adds hardness and rigidity
to cell walls.

Plastids are double membrane bound organelles found in plants. It is basically the storage of their
pigments. Types of Plastids include the Leucoplasts which are colorless organelles that store starch
and Chromoplasts which contain colored pigments like chloroplast.

Centrioles are paired organelles found only in animal cell.

They are located together near the nucleus, at right angles
to each other. They are essential in building cilia and
flagella and as spindle fiber during cell division.

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 School as an Analogy for Cell Structure and Function
The parts of the school are like the parts of the cell, keep reading and see how their functions
are almost the same!

Security guard- cell membrane because the guard chooses who can enter or leave
the school, only those with student I.D can enter.
School perimeter- cytoplasm because it is where all the parts and processes of the
school can be found
Principal- nucleus because the principal is the person in authority inside the school
especially in terms of management and decision making.
DepEd- nucleolus because they are the ones responsible for hiring and producing
teachers like how nucleolus produces the ribosomes.
Teachers- Ribosomes because they are the ones active in making the students the best
person that they can be.
Classrooms- Golgi Body because it is where the students are taught and package
physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Canteen- Mitochondria because the food served in the canteen gives energy to the
students and teachers.
Janitor/Maintenance Team-Lysosome because lie lysosome they get rid of trashes by
cleaning the school premises.
Hallways and corridor- endoplasmic reticulum because they are the passageway that
could be used to transport services, materials and processes involve in the teaching and
learning process.
Cabinets- Vacuole because it stores books, papers and other stocks needed by the
school.

QUARTER 1 | WEEK 1