Cells (Compatibility Mode)

Levels of Structural
Organization of the Body
• Organismic Level
• System Level
• Organ Level
• Tissue level
• Cellular Level
• Chemical Level
• The Chemical Level is the lowest of the
organization and this includes all chemical
substances essential for maintaining life.
• Cells are the basic structural and
functional units of an organism.
• There are different types of cells that are

found in the body. These are classified as
muscle cells, nerve cells and blood cells.
Each of these cells have a different
structure and performs different functions.
• Tissue Level is made up of groups of
similar cells and their intercellular
materials to perform certain special
functions.
• For example, the muscle, connective and

nervous tissue. Different tissues are joined
together to form organs.
• Organs are structures of definite form and
function. They are composed of two or
more tissues.
• Organs have a recognizable shape. For

example, the shape of the heart, liver,
lungs, brain and stomach.
• The System Level consists of an
association of organs that have a common
function.
• For example, the Digestive System which

functions to break down food (mouth,
salivary glands, pharynx, stomach, small &
large intestines, liver, gall bladder,
pancreas, esophagus, rectum).
• The Organismic Level is the highest level.
• All different parts of the body function as

one to create the organism.
Cells
The Typical Cell
• Objective:
• Define the “cell”
• List the generalized parts of the cell
• Discuss the six (6) main functions of the

cell
• Describe the structure and function of the
cell membrane and the cytoplasm
• Describe the structure and function of

each organelle of the composite cell
• Explain the ways in which substances

cross the cell membranes
Objective one
• The cell is defined as a mass of cytoplasm
containing a nucleus or nuclear material
• The structural and functional unit of an

organism
• The basic living unit of plants and animals

Objective one cont’d
• Cells account for
1. The shape
2. The organization
3. The construction
4. The carrying on of life processes of the
body
Objective one cont’d
• Please note that cells can reproduce and

provide new cells for growth, development
and replacement.
Objective two
• Generalized parts of the cell:
1. plasma membrane: the outer, limiting

membrane that separates the cell’s
internal parts from the extracellular fluid
and external environment.
Objective two cont’d
2. Cytoplasm: the substance found between
the nucleus and the plasma membrane
3. Organelles: the permanent structures with

characteristic structure and form that are
highly specialized for specific cellular
activities
Objective two cont’d
4. inclusions: the secretions and storage

areas of the cell
Objective three
• The main functions of the cell includes:
1. It is the basic unit of life:

This is the smallest part to which an
organism can be reduced and still retain
the characteristics of life.
Objective three cont’d
2. Protection and support:
Cells produce and secrete various
molecules that provide protection and
support to the body.
3. Movement:
All movements of the body occur because
of molecules located within specific cells
such as muscle cells.
4. Communication:
Cells produce and receive chemical and
electrical signals which allow them to
communicate with one another.
5. Cell metabolism and energy release:

Chemical reactions which occurs within
the cells are referred to collectively as cell
metabolism.
Energy released during metabolism is
used for cell activities such as the
synthesis of new molecules, muscle
contraction and heat production.
6. Inheritance:
• Each cell contains a copy of genetic
information of the individual. Specialized
cells are responsible for transmitting that
genetic information to the next generation.
Objective four
• Cell/plasma membrane:
• An exceedingly thin structure
• It has complex surface features with many

out pouchings and in foldings that provides
extra surface area
Objective four
• Constituents of the plasma membrane are:
proteins, phospholipids, cholesterol, water,
carbohydrates and ions.
• The phospholipid molecules have a polar

phosphate containing head and a nonpolar
fatty acid tail.
Objective four cont’d
• The polar phosphate containing head
mixes with water while the non polar fatty
acid tail does not.
• The proteins of the membranes are

classified into two groups:
• Integral proteins and peripheral proteins
• Integral proteins:
• Are embedded into the phospholipid
bilayer among the fatty tails
• Some lie at or near the inner and outer
membrane surfaces
• Some penetrate the membranes
completely
• Some form minute channels facilitating
transportation of some substances
• Some carry branches of carbohydrates

forming glycoproteins. These molecules
provide receptor sites enabling cells to:
• recognise other cells of its own kind.
• Recognize foreign cells
• Respond to foreign cells
• Recognize and attach to hormones,
nutrients and other chemicals
• Peripheral proteins:
• They are loosely bounded to the cell
membrane and can be easily separated
from it
• Some serve as enzymes
• Some have mechanical function to support
the plasma membrane
• Some may assume a role in changes in
the shape of the membrane during
processes such as cell division,
locomotion and ingestion.
Plasma Membrane
• Functions of the cell membrane:
• It provides a flexible boundary that

encloses the cellular contents and
separates them from the external
environment
• It facilitates contact with other body cells

or with foreign cells or substances
• It provides receptors for chemicals such
as hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes,
nutrients, and antibodies
• It mediates the entrance and exit of

materials
• The cytoplasm:
• A substance found inside the plasma
membrane
• It is external to the nucleus
• It contains various cellular components
• It is a thick, semitransparent, elastic fluids
• It is made up of 75 to 90% water plus solid
components
• The bulk of the components is composed
of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and
inorganic substances.
• Functions:
• This is the substance in which chemical
reactions occur
• The cytoplasm packages chemicals for
transport to other parts of the cell or other
cells of the body
• It facilitates the excretion of waste

materials
• Tortora, G. & Derrickson, B. (2016).
Principles of Human Anatomy &
Physiology. (15th ed.) U.S.A.:John Wiley &
Sons Inc.
• Marieb, E. & Hoehn K. (2010). Human

Anatomy and Physiology. (8th ed.) U.S.A.:
Pearson Education Inc.

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Levels of Structural

Organization of the Body

• There are different types of cells that are

• For example, the muscle, connective and

• Organs have a recognizable shape. For

• For example, the Digestive System which

• All different parts of the body function as

• Define the “cell”

• List the generalized parts of the cell

• Discuss the six (6) main functions of the

• Describe the structure and function of

• Explain the ways in which substances

• The structural and functional unit of an

• The basic living unit of plants and animals

• Please note that cells can reproduce and

1. plasma membrane: the outer, limiting

3. Organelles: the permanent structures with

4. inclusions: the secretions and storage

1. It is the basic unit of life:

5. Cell metabolism and energy release:

• It has complex surface features with many

• The phospholipid molecules have a polar

• The proteins of the membranes are

• Some carry branches of carbohydrates

• It provides a flexible boundary that

• It facilitates contact with other body cells

• It mediates the entrance and exit of

• It facilitates the excretion of waste

• Marieb, E. & Hoehn K. (2010). Human

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