THE CELL THEORY, STRUCTURE

AND FUNCTIONS
for General Biology 1 / Grade 11
Quarter 1/Week 1

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 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit (SLK) is the first among the series of SLKs
in General Biology 1. SLKs are designed for Senior High School
learners to gain knowledge independently in the absence of
face-to-face learning instruction.

Cell theory is an essential lesson in the curriculum guide to be

learned by learners before moving to other topics. Cell theory
provides information where the word “cell” was obtained. It
also includes the role of cell in living organisms and how cell
was made known in the world of science. The learners will know
the scientists who have made significant contributions in the
discovery of cell and the development of cell theory. The
structures of the major subcellular organelles are described and
the function of each is identified.

Pictures are shown to instill concrete knowledge on how a cell

looks like. Activities and diagrams are used to guide students in
organizing concepts for better understanding of the lesson.

With the guidance of parents or guardians, the learners are

advised to go through the learning kit page by page in an
ascending manner for an effective organization of concepts, do
every activity, and answer every question honestly and
sincerely. It is hoped that this SLK will make authentic learning
possible.

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 OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the learners shall be able to:

K: explain the postulates of the cell theory and the function of every cell
organelle,
S: make a model of either a plant cell or animal cell, and
A: appreciate the importance of cell and its organelles by observing a
healthful diet.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
 Explain the postulates of the cell theory (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)

 Describe the structure and function of major and

subcellular organelles (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-2)

I. What Happened
Pre-Test:Directions: In your notebook, write the letter of the best answer.
1. What are living things structurally made of?
a. organs b. cells c. tissues d. all of the above
2. What is the basic unit of life?
a. organs b. cells c. tissues d. all of the above
3. Where do cells come from?
a. plants b. animals c. preexisting cells d. mitosis
4. What was used to study about cells?
a. hand lens c. telescope
b. electron microscope d. compound microscope
5. Where was the term “cell” coined from?
a. plant tissue c. sperm specimen
b. box-like structure in cork tissue d. animal tissue
6. The following are the three main parts of a cell except .
a. nucleus b. cytoplasm c. cell wall d. cell membrane
7. What is the common shape of an animal cell?
a. round b. rectangular c. square d. no fixed shape
8. Where are the organelles of a cell located?
a. nucleus c. cell membrane
b. cytoplasm d. scattered anywhere
9. What organelle is known as the “control center” of the cell?
a. cell membrane b. mitochondria c. cytoplasm d. nucleus
10.What regulates the passage of materials into and out of the cell?
a. cell wall b. cell membrane c. nucleus d. proteins

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II. What I Need To
Know
Cell Theory
(Adapted from Gen. Bio. 1 by Belardo et al., Functional Biology by L.M. Rabago,
and Biology by Capco & Yang)

A theory is a set of propositions describing the operation and causes of

natural phenomena. Cell theory describes where the term “cell” and the
other basic information about the cell came from. Cell is the basic unit of
life. It is the building block of all organisms. There are organisms that are
made up of only one cell called unicellular organisms. Others are
composed of many cells known as multicellular organisms. But, even the life
of a very huge multicellular organism begins with a single cell – a sperm
cell and an egg cell.

How are these concepts about the cell made known?

The idea about the cell came up as a result of different studies conducted
by several biologists from different countries of the world for about 300
years. A few of these significant studies are as follows:

 Hans and Zacharias Jansen, Dutch

inventors, made the first simple
microscope in 1590.

 Robert Hooke, an Englishman, gave the

term “cell” for the box-like structures Figure 1: Cork cells
Photo taken by L. A. De La
observed in a cork tissue under the Zerna
microscope in 1667.

 Around 1675, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch naturalist, observed

sperm cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms in
rainwater after his invention of a more powerful microscope. A nucleus
was observed within some of the red blood cells.

 Matthias Schleiden, a German

botanist, studied plant structures
under the microscope. In 1838, he
stated that all plants are composed of
cells.

 In 1839, it was concluded that all Figure 2: Plant cells

animals are composed of cells by Photos taken by L.A. De La
Theodore Zerna

Schwann, a German zoologist. He studied on animal tissues.

Jointly, Schleiden and Schwann proposed that all living things are made up of
cells.

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 Roughly, 20 years later, in 1855, Rudolf Virchow, a German biologist,
observed dividing cells during his work. Such observation made him
conclude that all living cells come from preexisting cells.

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 Eventually, unifying all the discoveries and other advanced studies
conducted, the cell theory was formulated stating that:

1. All living things are structurally made up of cells.

2. The cell is the fundamental unit of life.
3. Cells come from the division of preexisting cells.

Clincher: The study of cell which started from the invention of simple
microscope until the development of cell theory was conducted for about
300 years by several scientists. From then on, further developments and many
technologies were made that had helped humanity.

Cell Structure and Functions

(Adapted from Gen. Bio.1 by Belardo et al., Functional
Biology by L.M. Rabago, and Biology by Capco & Yang)

All cells have three main parts: the cell membrane or plasma membrane,
cytoplasm, and nucleus.

cytoplasm nucleus

Cell
membra
n
Figure 3: The three main parts of a cell

Cell membrane separates the internal contents of the cell from its environment. It is
a phospholipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it. As a selectively permeable
membrane, some substances can readily pass through it while others cannot.
The three major functions performed by the cell membrane are as follows: (1)
separates the contents of the cell from its environment, (2) regulates the passage
of materials in and out of the cell, and (3) permits communication with other
cells.

The whole region within the cell membrane is the cytoplasm. Organelles are
found and perform their functions in the jelly-like substance called cytosol.
Various metabolic reactions like protein synthesis and breakdown of sugar
into ATP take place in the cytoplasm. Other organic materials are found in
the cytoplasm such as glucose and other simple sugars, polysaccharides,
amino acids, nucleic acids, fatty acids, etc. Sodium, potassium, and calcium
ions are also dissolved in the cytoplasm. Centrioles, cytoskeleton, and
plastids are the specialized organelles in the cytoplasm.
Nucleus is the third main part of the cell. It is generally oval in shape,
covered with a nuclear membrane or envelope. It is the control center of
the cell that regulates and coordinates all activities of the cell.
Chromosomes are
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found in the nucleus. Within the chromosomes are DNA that make up the
gene that bears the hereditary traits.

The cell theory states that the cell is the basic unit of life. To be able to
perform its function, the cell contains cytoplasm structures called
organelles.

The following are the basic organelles found in the cytoplasm.

 Mitochondria are the sites for the breakdown of sugar molecules into
adenosine triphosphate or ATP, which is the main source of energy in
the body.

 Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. The coded message from
DNA as to what kind of protein is to be synthesized is carried by the
mRNA from the nucleus to the ribosome.

 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of flattened sheets, sacs, and tubes

of membranes that extend throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
It is structurally continuous with the nuclear membrane, and it specializes
in the transport of lipids and membrane proteins.

 A system of flattened, membrane-bound sacs that looks like stack of

pancakes is the Golgi apparatus. Its function is to modify, sort, and
pack macromolecules for secretion or for transport to other organelles.
Rounded vesicles are associated to the Golgi apparatus that pinched off
from its flattened sacs and carry the materials to other parts of the cell.

 Lysosome is also produced by the Golgi apparatus. It is a membrane-

bound organelle that comes in various sizes and shapes. Lysosomes
contain numerous hydrolytic or digestive enzymes for the breakdown
of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats within the cell. Thus, they are
known as “digestive sacs.” Destruction or repair of defective parts of
the cell is another function of lysosomes.

 Another membrane-bound vesicles that contain oxidative enzymes are

the peroxisomes. Enzymes responsible for oxidizing certain molecules to
form hydrogen peroxide are found in peroxisomes. They are
abundantly found in liver cells, where fats and lipids are metabolized. In
plants, they convert fatty acids into sugars needed by growing
seedlings during seed germination.

 Vacuoles are large storage sacs in cells. The smaller ones are called
vesicles. In animals, some vacuoles function for storage of water or food,
while others are for excretion of waste materials. Vacuoles in plants
occupy up to 95% of the cell volume. Intracellular digestion, space
filling, and control of cell turgor are some of the functions of vacuoles in
plants. They contain water,

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 sugar, salts, and anthocyanin pigment. Toxic molecules are present that
protect plants from herbivorous animals.

 Outside the nucleus of animal cells is found the centrosome. It consists

of two rod-shaped centrioles which are at right angle to each other.
They replicate before cell division resulting into two pairs of centrioles
that later move apart becoming part of the newly formed cells. They are
believed to function in the formation of spindle fibers.

 A network of interconnected protein filaments that extends throughout

the cytoplasm is the cytoskeleton that provides the cell’s structural
support. It is responsible for cell shape and motility.

 Plastids are large membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells. They

have three classifications. The first is the chloroplast, the green-colored
plastid which is caused by the green pigment called chlorophyll and is
the site for photosynthesis. The second are chromoplasts, colored plastids
other than green. These are specialized to synthesize and store
carotenoid pigments such as red, orange, and yellow. The third are
leucoplasts, the colorless plastid that contain stored food.

 Another organelle found in plant cells only is the cell wall. It protects
and supports the cells of the plants.

Figure 4: Animal Cell

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/diagram+animal+cell

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 Figure 5: Plant Cell
https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/plant-cell-structure-gm1155004997-314287308

Interesting Facts about Cells

 An average adult has around 30 trillion cells in the body.

 Thousands of new cells are replicated (copied) from old
ones every day.
 Old cells that are worn-out or damaged are replaced by the
new cells.
 To sustain the cellular and overall health is to provide raw
materials which are obtained from the nutrients in the food
eaten for the creation of new cells.
 Certain nutrients also protect the cells from damage, and
nutrients in foods support the body's energy production
machinery.

Clincher: How well the cells function, the quality and integrity of
the new cells created in the body, depend on the nutrients
provided to the cells on a daily basis. In short, following a
healthful diet help maintain cells and avoid chronic diseases.

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Activity Time:
PART 1: Directions: Match the column A to column B and the column C.

In many ways, the eukaryotic cell is kind of like a city. I will tell you what
each of the organelles in a cell does. Your job will be to try to match each
of the cell parts to the parts of a city.
(A) Parts of (B) Part of a City (C) Functions
the Cell
1. Golgi A. Recycling a. in plant cells, a tough wall outside
Apparatus Plant the cell membrane that provides
2. Vacuole B. City Hall protection and structural rigidity, made
3. Chloroplast C. A Power of cellulose.
4. Lysosome Station b. reads the messenger RNA, copied
5. Mitochondrion D. A Factory from the DNA instructions in the
6. Nucleus E. The Roads nucleus, and is the site where proteins
7. Cell F. The Post Office are made. Ribosomes are made in the
Membrane G. The City Limits nucleolus.
8. Endoplasmic H. A Warehouse c. a network for transporting
Reticulum I. A Farm proteins across the cell.
9. Ribosome J. Fortifications d. regulates what enters and leaves
10. Cell Wall the cell.
e. contains DNA, the instructions
for building and operating the
cell.
f. burns food to create ATP, an energy
storage molecule which can be used
by the whole cell.
g. a place where waste products
and cellular debris are broken down.
h. uses light energy and CO2 (carbon
dioxide) from the air to build long
chains of carbons (sugars and
starches), releasing O2 (oxygen) along
the way.
i. a container for liquids, food, waste,
or other materials. Large in plants,
smaller or absent in animal cells.
j. packages up proteins and labels
them for distribution to other parts of
the cell.
Part 2: Essay. Directions: Write a short essay for 5 points. You will be graded based
on the rubrics below:

11-15: Explain the postulates of the cell

theory Rubrics:------------------Content
5 Points
10
Organization----4 Points

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 Totals: 9 points

Performance Task:

1. Using indigenous materials or any recyclable

materials available at home make a 3D
model of either an animal cell or a plant cell.
2. Label the organelles in the model made.

Rubrics in rating the output:

Correctness - 10 pts.
Originality - 10 pts.
Creativity - 5 pts.
Durability/ Workmanship - 5 pts.
TOTAL = 30 pts.

III. What I Have Learned

Multiple Choice. In your notebook, write the letter of the best answer.

1. How did the idea about the cell begin? By the invention of .
a. hand lens c. microscope
b. telescope d. periscope
2. Who are the three main contributors of the cell theory?
a. Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow
b. Virchow, Hooke, Einstein
c. Schwann, Leeuwenhoek, Darwin
d. Jansen, Newton, Virchow
3. Who first saw a cell under the microscope?
a. Jansen c. Leeuwenhoek
b. Hooke d. Schleiden
4. Who concluded that plants are made up of cells?
a. Hooke c. Schwann
b. Virchow d. Schleiden
5. Which was discovered first?
a. cell c. plant cell
b. animal cell d. microscope
6.Where is the site for the breakdown of food molecules to produce

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 adenosine triphosphate (ATP)?
a. cytoplasm c. Golgi apparatus
b. mitochondria d. nucleus
7. Which of the following structure in plant cell is NOT found in animal cell?
a. Golgi bodies c. plastids
b. ribosomes d. endoplasmic reticulum
8. Which of the following structures is found in both plant and animal cells?
a. nucleus c. cell wall
b. plastids d. centrioles
9. What organelle is known as the “digestive sac” which is capable of
destroying old and damaged cells?
a. ribosome c. vacuole
b. mitochondrion d. lysosome
10.What occupies the largest part of the cytoplasm in a plant cell?
a. ribosome c. vacuole
b. mitochondrion d. nucleus

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REFERENCES

Belardo, Gisselle Millete M. (2016). General Biology 1. Quezon City:

Vibal Group, Inc.

Capco, Carmelita M. and Gilbert C. Yang. (2000). Biology Textbook.

Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.

“Nurture Your Cells to Stay Healthy.” General, Bariatric, & Vascular Surgery
| Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates.
https://www.murrietavalleysurgery.com/bariatric-surgery/the-bariatric-
surgery-blog/2017/5/8/3-nurture-your-cells-to-stay-healthy/.
Published:May 8, 2017.

Rabago, Lilia M. (2010). Functional Biology. Quezon City: Vibal

Publishing House, Inc.

Sandoiu, Ana. “How Your Diet Can Keep Cells Healthy and
Young.” Medical and Health Information, Medical News
Today, 22 Aug. 2018,
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322845.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief
NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.
OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS-Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
Writers
ALEXA L. BORBON
Illustrator

ZENLI ROSE B. MONGCUPA

NOELYN E. SIAPNO
Lay-out Artists

ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.
JOAN Y. BUBULI
MA. OFELIA I. BUSCATO
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
THOMAS JOGIE U TOLEDO

BETA QA TEAM
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA
DORIN FAYE. D. CADAYDAY
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ARJIE T. PALUMPA LIEZEL
A. AGOR
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to information
and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and may not be
reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.
SYNOPSIS
This self-learning kit discusses about the cell
theory. Specifically, it deals with the origin of the
cell and how it was discovered. Scientists
who made significant contributions in the
formulation of the cell theory are given
emphasis. The year when a certain discovery
and development of the cell theory was
made is also included.

The different cell organelles and their

functions are given emphasis. Illustrations are
used to aid in learning. Expected output from
the learners will serve as an application of
the knowledge gained from this SLK, helping
them establish life- long learning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ ILLUSTRATOR

Writer: LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA, finished BSEd major in
Gen. Science at St. Paul Univ. of Dumaguete, formerly
named St. Paul College of Dumaguete, and graduated
MAEd major in Science Education at University of Southern
Phils. Foundation in Cebu City. Currently, she is teaching
senior high school at Sibulan Science High School.

Illustrator: ALEXA L. BORBON, a Grade 10 completer at

Sibulan Science HS in the SY 2019-2020. She is the school’s pride
when it comes to arts competition. The following are some
of her achievements as an artist during her Grade 10 only:
Modulo Art (Congreional level) - 1st place; Editorial
Cartooning (Division Level) – 2nd place; and Science Fair
Poster Making (District Level) – 1st place.