Matutum View Academy

The School of Faith

Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato

General Biology 1
Learning Module
First Grading
Please fill out the blanks for the needed information:

Student’s Complete Name: ______________________________________________________

Student’s Complete Address: ______________________________________________________
Student’s Contact Number: ______________________________________________________
Parent’s Complete Number: ______________________________________________________

Teacher: Jenny Villa Alcantara

Contact Number: 09506414472
 Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennyvillaalcantara
Email: maxinebabes20@gmail.com

THE CELL THEORY

 Prior to the invention of the very first microscope, everything that could not be seen by the naked eye was
unexplainable. In1665, Robert Hooke was able to observe in a piece of cork specimen structures which
appear as tiny compartments similar to small rooms that are fitted to each other (Figure 1.1). Hooke coined
the word “cell” to describe these chamber-like structures and later became famous. Hooke thought that
only plants and fungi were the only ones made up of cells. Until 1676, Anton van Leeuwenhoek published
his observations on tiny living organisms which he named animalcules. It was believed that Leeuwenhoek
was the first to observe under his microscope that structure of the red blood cell of different animals as
well as a sperm cell. Between the Hooke-Leeuwenhoek discoveries up to mind-nineteenth century, very
little cell advancements were made. It was probably due to the widely accepted, traditional belief on the
theory of spontaneous generation which supposes that living things may rise from non-living matter; for
instance, maggots and flies can exist from rotting meat. It was only refuted when Louis Pasteur’s
experiment disproved that theory.

Figure 1.1. Drawing of the structure of cork as seen by Robert Hooke using a microscope

 One of the leading botanists in his time, Robert Brown in 1831 was able to compare diverse kinds of plants
specimens under the microscope. He markedly indicated that there is one common thing about them – they
are all composed of cells, and inside the cell is dark dense spot which he termed as the nucleus. A few
years later, German botanist Matthias Schleiden (1838) conclude that all plant parts are made of cells.
Theodor Schwann (1839), also a botanist and close friend of Schleiden, stated that all animal tissues are
composed of cells, too. In 1858, Rudolf Virchow concluded that all cells come from pre-existing cells.

 The discoveries made by Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow, and others led to the
formulation of the cell theory. The cell theory is universal for all living things, no matter how simple or
complex, tiny or huge it is. This theory can be summed up into three basic components: (1) all living
organisms are composed of one or more cells; (2) the cell is the basic unit of the life in all living things; (3)
all cells come from pre-existing cells.

 The three postulates of the cell theory offer the basis on how an object is considered as a living thing. All
living things are fundamentally made up of cell; this entails no exception no matter how simple or complex
that organism is or to what environment it is exposed to or what course of evolution if has gone through.
An organism can be unicellular (one-celled) or multicellular. A single-celled organism can perform all the
essential functions which enable it to grow, survive, and reproduce. Multicellular organisms are more
complex in structure and functions but the mechanism on how it is able to live is still the same with the
simple life forms. Strongly related to this is the second postulate which states that the cell is the basic unit
of life. The cell operates similar to a complete machine which has many compartments that perform
different but interrelated and interconnected functions. The cell is a completely functional entity that
possesses characteristics which distinguish if from inanimate objects. Finally, all cells come from pre-
existing cells, which signifies that cells cannot be spontaneously created but it will always be a product of
reproduction from a pre-existing cell (Marzzarello 1999).

Let’s Investigate

ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 1
Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Activity 1.1

The Discovery and Binding Mechanisms of Life

Rudolf Virchow Anton van Leeuwenhoek Matthias Schleiden

Theodor Schwann Robert Hooke

A. Choose from the box which scientist gave the following statements.

1. Thousands of tiny empty chambers in cork are _________________________________

called cells (1665)
2. Tiny living organisms are observed (1676) __________________________________

3. All plants are made up of cells (1838) __________________________________

4. All animals are made up of cells (1839) __________________________________

5. All cells come from pre-existing cells (1858) __________________________________

B. Complete the three basic components of the cell theory by arranging these words in proper order.

1. ORGANIMS OF CELLS ARE ALL MORE __________________________________________

LIVING COMPOSED OR ONE
2. OF BASIC CELL THE IS UNIT LIFE __________________________________________

3. COME CELLS PRE-EXISTING ALL __________________________________________

FROM CELLS

C. Match the scientist with the correct letter stating his contribution to cell discovery.

____________1. Rudolf Virchow a. German histologist that conclude all cells

come from other cells
____________2. Robert Hooke b. German physiologist that conclude all
animals are made of cells
____________3. Theodor Schwann c. Came up with the word “cell” after studying
cork under the microscope
____________4. Anton van Leeuwenhoek d. German botanist who concluded that all
plants are made of cells
____________5. Matthias Schleiden e. Dutch microscopist who was the first to
observe under his microscope the structure of
red blood cell of different animals.

CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS

 The discovery of cells:

 All living organisms are made of cells.
 Cells are very small therefore magnifying instruments such as lenses and
microscope are used to view them.
 By using a light microscope the simple features of cells can be studied. The
light microscope uses a beam of light focused by various glass lenses (Figure
1.2).
 Electron microscope have higher power of magnification than the ordinary Figure 2.1. Light microscope
light microscope, therefore allowing us to see very small structure inside the
 cells. These microscopes use a beam of electrons focused by electromagnets to magnify objects
instead of light rays and lenses (Figure 1.3).
 Robert Hooke (1665) used a light microscope to examine non-living cork cells.
 Anton van Leeuwenhoek was the first person to observe living cells using a microscope.
 The development of cell theory was from the study of microscopic cells.

 Cell Structure and function: Figure 2.2. Electron microscope

a. Cell membrane a. Mitochondrion

b. Chloroplast b. Nucleus
c. Cytoplasm c. Rough ER
d. Golgi apparatus d. Smooth ER
Figure 2.3. (a) Diagram of animal cell and (b) plant cell.
e. Lysosome e. Vesicle
 All cells have the same basic structure. They are all surrounded by a cell membrane and contain
cytoplasm and organelles (Figure 1.4).
 Cells have different sizes, shapes and structures in order to carry out specialized functions.
 The cell membrane is made of phospholipids and proteins and
controls substances which move in and out of the cell.
 The structure of the cell membrane is referred to as the Fluid Mosaic
Model.
 The nucleus is made up of a nuclear membrane with nucleopores,
chromatin materials and the nucleolus inside the nucleoplasm.
 Mitochondria release chemical potential energy (ATP) for the cell
Figure 2.4. Illustration of the cell membrane
during cellular respiration. showing the peripheral and embedded proteins
 Ribosomes are important for protein production. and carbohydrates molecules in the lipid bilayer
 Cytoplasm is used for storage and circulation of various materials.
 Endoplasmic reticulum transports substances from one part of the cell
to another.
 The Golgi body modifies, secretes, packages and distributes various organic molecules (protein and
lipids) around the cell.
 Vacuoles are used for storage. In plant cells these are large, whilst in
animal cells, if present, are very small.
 Lysosomes are mainly found in animal cells.
 Centrioles are only found in animal cells.
 The cell wall is found only in plant cells and is made up of cellulose. The
cell wall gives the plant shape, support and protection.
 Plastids are found only in plant cells. There are three types of plastids:
- Chloroplast contain chlorophyll and their function is the production of
food by photosynthesis
- Chromoplasts gives col or to fruits and flowers Figure 2.5. Cross-section of a plant cell
- Leucoplasts are white and are used mainly for starch storage.

Let’s Investigate
ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 2

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Activity 2.1
Identify the Functions

A. Identify the following items. Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided before the
number.

___________1. Which part of the cell controls cell activities and transmits hereditary information?
___________2. Which is the membranous part that transports substance and serves as a site of lipid
synthesis?
___________3. Which part of the cell serves as venue for cellular respiration and is known as the
powerhouse of the cell?
 ___________4. What is the structure that separates the cell contents from its environment?
___________5. Which part contains digestive enzyme that helps break down larger molecules in the cell?
___________6. Which part functions for the photosynthetic activities of a plant cell?
___________7. What is the structure that contains ions, substances, and suspended organelles?

B. For numbers 8-10, write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if otherwise.

___________8. Ribosomes, the main organelle involved in protein synthesis, are composed of subunits that
are produced by the Golgi apparatus.
___________9. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles and true nucleus; whereas, prokaryotic
cells have no nucleus and organelles.
___________10. Microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments keep the whole cell and its
organelles intact.

C. In the blank provided, fill in the letters of the term or phrase being described.

1. Green pigment __ __ __ __ __ __ P__ __ __ __

2. Double layer of phospholipids __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ D __ __ L __ __ __ __
3. Group of tissue O __ __ __ __
4. Single-celled organism that lacks a membrane- __ __ __ K __ __ __ __ __ __
bound nucleus
5. Short hair like structure C __ __ __ __ __
6. Basic unit of life __ __ L __
7. Site for food production __ __ __ O __ __ __ __ __ __ __
8. Powerhouse of the cell __ __ __ __ __ __ __ N __ __ __ __
9. Responsible of for the fluid nature of the cell’s
internal environment __ __ __ __ __ __ A __ __
10. House of the cell’s DNA __ __ C __ __ __ __
11. Organelles that makes proteins __ __ __ __ __ __ M __ __
12. They store digestive enzymes and aid in
digestion within the cell. __ __ __ __ __ __ E
13. It is a rigid structure that gives support to a plant
cell. __ __ __ L __ __ L __
14. It is a small sac that surrounds material to be
moved into or out of a cell. __ __ __ I __ __ __
15. This organelle that packages and distributes
proteins. __ __ L __ __ __ __ __ __ R __ __ __ __

Let’s Investigate

ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 2

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Activity 2.2

Cell Structure

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the name of the parts listed below.
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Nuclear Membrane
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Nucleus
Lysosomes Nucleolus
Microfilaments Golgi Apparatus
Vesicles Mitochondria
Microtubules Plasma Membrane

PROKARYOTIC VS EUKARYOTIC CELL

 Components of Prokaryotic Cells

 All cells share four common components: (1) a plasma membrane, an

outer covering that separates the cell’s interior from its surrounding
environment; (2) cytoplasm, consisting of a jelly-like region within
the cell in which other cellular components are found; (3) DNA, the
genetic material of the cell; and (4) ribosomes, particles that
synthesize proteins. However, prokaryotes differ from eukaryotic
cells in several ways.

 A prokaryotic cell is a simple, single-celled (unicellular) organism that lacks a 3.1.

Figure nucleus,
This figureor any
shows other
the generalized
structure of a prokaryotic cell.
membrane-bound organelle. We will shortly come to see that this is significantly different in
 eukaryotes. Prokaryotic DNA is found in the central part of the cell: a darkened region called the
nucleoid (Figure 3.1).
 Unlike Archaea and eukaryotes, bacteria have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan, comprised of sugars and
amino acids, and many have a polysaccharide capsule (Figure 1). The cell wall acts as an extra layer of
protection, helps the cell maintain its shape, and prevents dehydration. The capsule enables the cell to
attach to surfaces in its environment. Some prokaryotes have flagella, pili, or fimbriae. Flagella are used
for locomotion, while most pili are used to exchange genetic material during a type of reproduction
called conjugation.
 Eukaryotic Cells

Like a prokaryotic cell, a eukaryotic cell has a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes. However,
unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells have:

1. a membrane-bound nucleus
2. numerous membrane-bound organelles (including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus,
chloroplasts, and mitochondria)
3. several rod-shaped chromosomes
Because a eukaryotic cell’s nucleus is surrounded by a membrane, it is often said to have a “true
nucleus.” Organelles (meaning “little organ”) have specialized cellular roles, just as the organs of your
body have specialized roles. They allow different functions to be compartmentalized in different areas of
the cell.

The Nucleus & Its Structures

Typically, the nucleus is the most prominent organelle in a

cell. Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus, which means the
cell’s DNA is surrounded by a membrane. Therefore, the
nucleus houses the cell’s DNA and directs the synthesis of
proteins and ribosomes, the cellular organelles responsible
for protein synthesis. The nuclear envelope is a double-
membrane structure that constitutes the outermost portion
of the nucleus. Both the inner and outer membranes of
the nuclear envelope are phospholipid bilayers. The
nuclear envelope is punctuated with pores that control the
passage of ions, molecules, and RNA between the Figure 3.2. Eukaryotic Nucleus: The nucleus stores chromatin (DNA
nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. The nucleoplasm is the plus proteins) in a gel-like substance called the nucleoplasm.The
nucleolus is a condensed region of chromatin where ribosome
semi-solid fluid inside the nucleus where we find the synthesis occurs.The boundary of the nucleus is called the nuclear
envelope.It consists of two phospholipid bilayers: an outer
chromatin and the nucleolus. Furthermore, chromosomes membrane and an inner membrane.The nuclear membrane is
are structures within the nucleus that are made up of continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.Nuclear pores allow
substances to enter and exit the nucleus.
DNA, the genetic material. In prokaryotes, DNA is
organized into a single circular chromosome. In
eukaryotes, chromosomes are linear structures.

Animal Cells Versus Plant Cells

 While all eukaryotic cells contain the aforementioned

organelles and structures, there are some striking differences between animal and plant cells. Animal
cells have a centrosome and lysosomes, whereas plant cells do not. The centrosome is a microtubule-
organizing center found near the nuclei of animal cells while lysosomes take care of the cell’s digestive
process.
 Figure 3.3. Animal Cells: Despite their fundamental similarities, there are some striking differences between animal and plant cells.Animal
cells have centrioles, centrosomes, and lysosomes, whereas plant cells do not.

 In

addition, plant cells have a cell wall, a large central vacuole, chloroplasts, and other specialized plastids,
whereas animal cells do not. The cell wall protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives shape
to the cell while the central vacuole plays a key role in regulating the cell’s concentration of water in
changing environmental conditions. Chloroplasts are the organelles that carry out photosynthesis.

Figure 3.4. Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplast, plasmodesmata, and plastids used for storage, and a large central vacuole, whereas
animals do not.

Let’s Investigate

ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 3

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Activity 3.1

What’s in a CELL?
A. Directions: Choose which type of cell best fits each description. Write the letter of each cell type in the
blank provided at the left of the description

P – Prokaryotic Cell
E – Eukaryotic Cell
B – Both Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

__________ 1. Has a definite, well-defined nucleus

__________ 2. Type of cells in your body
__________ 3. Have DNA
__________ 4. Bacteria cells
__________ 5. Multicellular
__________ 6. Has ribosomes
__________ 7. Can live as unicellular organisms
__________ 8. Type of cells found in plants
__________ 9. Type of cells found in goldfish
__________ 10. Carry out every activity associated with living things.

B. Directions: Choose which type of organelles best fits each description. Write the organelles in the blank
provided. Some organelles may repeat.

__________ 1. I am the powerhouse of the cell.

__________ 2. I am the liquid materials of the cell, in which the organelles are suspended.
__________ 3. I am the control center.
__________ 4. I photosynthesize.
__________ 5. I am very large in plant cells, and much smaller in animal cells.
__________ 6. I am located on the rough ER and also scattered through the cytoplasm.
__________ 7. We are protein factories.
__________ 8. You would find me in the cell of the maple tree or tulip, but not in the cell of the rabbit or
goldfish.
__________ 9. I breakdown old and worn out cell parts.
__________ 10. Centrioles are part of this structure that is a network of protein filaments that helps the cell
to maintain its shape.

C. Multiple Choice. On the lines provided, write the letter that best completes the sentence or answers the
questions.

__________ 1. The small dense region in the nucleus where the assembly of ribosomes begins is called the
a. Nucleolus c. nuclear envelope
b. Chloroplast d. vacuole
__________ 2. The hollow tubes of protein that help maintain the shape of the cell are called
a. microfilaments c. mitochondrion
b. microtubules d. ribosomes
__________ 3. Which organelles can use energy from sunlight to create energy-rich food
molecules?
a. Lysosomes c. Golgi apparatus
b. Vacuoles d. chloroplast
__________ 4. What is the process by which material is taken into the cell by infoldings of the cell
membrane?
a. diffusion c. endocytosis
b. osmosis d. exocytosis

Let’s Investigate

ACTIVITY WORKSHEET 3

Name: _____________________________________________________________________

Activity 3.2

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic

MATCHING. Matches each structure with the correct functions.

1.Ribosomes a. site of DNA replication

2.Nucleoid region b. helps with movement
3.Flagella c. allows entry and exist of nutrients and waste
4.Cell wall d. sites of protein synthesis
List six structure in a eukaryotic animal cells that aren’t found in prokaryotic cells.

5. _____________________ 8. _______________________
6. _____________________ 9. _______________________
7. _____________________ 10. ______________________

Name four structures found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

11. _____________________ 13. _______________________

12. _____________________ 14. _______________________

Name three structure found in plant cells but not in animal cells.

15. _____________________ 17. _______________________

16. _____________________

Label the following organisms as Eukaryotic or Prokaryotic

__________________________ 18. Tiger

__________________________ 19. Fungi
__________________________ 20. Pseudomonas bacteria
__________________________ 21. Algae
__________________________ 22. E. coli bacterium
__________________________ 23. Streptococcus bacterium
__________________________ 24. Human

Label the prokaryotic cell.