Cell Structure and Functions

At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

2.1  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

       a)  State cell theory.

       b)  Describe and compare the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

2.2  Microscopic structures of plant and animal cell


       a) Illustrate the detailed structures of typical plant and animal cells.
       b) Compare plant and animal cells


2.3  Structure and functions: cell membrane and organelles.


       a) Describe the structure of the plasma membrane and the functions of each of its   components.
       b) Describe the functions of the plasma membrane.
       c) Describe the structure and functions of the following organelles:

               ·      Nucleus, mitochondria, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, ribosome, lysosome, 
                chloroplast, centriole.

2.4  Cell transport


     Explain the various transport mechanisms across the membrane

       ·    Passive transport:

•  Simple diffusion
• Facilitated diffusion
• Osmosis

      ·  Active transport:

o    Sodium-Potassium Pump
o     Endocytosis and Exocytosis

2.5 Cells are grouped into tissues
      Describe the following types of cells and tissues

• Animal – epithelial cells (simple squamous, simple cuboidal, simple columnar, stratified squamous), nerve cell (motor neuron), muscle cells (smooth, striated and cardiac muscle),
• connective tissues (compact bone, hyaline cartilage and blood)
• Plant – meristem, parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem and phloem