10.1 Cells and Life

• Robert Hooke

• Matthias Schleiden

• Theodor Schwann

• Rudolph Virchow

How did scientists' understanding of cells develop?

Understanding Cells

1. all living things are made of one or more cells

2. the cell is the basic unit of life

3. all new cells come from preexisting cells

• Proteins

• Nucleic acids

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids

Water

Water makes up over 70% of a cell's volume and is essential for life.

​​Why is water so special?

​Water surrounds cells and helps keep a stable temperature within your body (i.e. it maintains homeostasis!)

Insulation

Water is an ideal solvent (something that dissolves other substances). It helps substances travel in and out of the cell.

Solvent

A water molecule has a unique structure with both positive and negative areas. Since it has both, it can attract both positive and negative substances.

​​BUT HOW?

• Makro = Greek prefix meaning large or long

• Macromolecules are all long chains made up of smaller molecules

​

​All cells are made of substances that enable them to function.

Each type of macromolecule has a unique function of the cell