5

CHAPTER AT A GLANCE

Study Key Points :

Discovery of Cell, Types of Cell & Organism, Unicellular & Multicellular,

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 21

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic, Plant Cell & Animal Cell, Cell Shape, Cell Size, Cell
Membrane, Cell wall, Diffusion & Osmosis, Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Endoplasmic
Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Plastid, Vacuoles,
Lysosomes.

• All living forms are composed of microscopic units called as ‘Cells’.

• A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all life forms.
• Study of structure and composition of cell is called as ‘Cytology’.
• Cell was first observed by Robert Hooke in a dead cork slice in the year
1665.
• First living cell was discovered by A. V. Leeuwenhoek.
• Its consistency differs under different condition. It exists in sol-gel
states.
• Protoplasm is an aggregate of various chemicals such as water, ions,
salts and other organic molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
nucleic acids, vitamins etc.
Cell Theory :
Two biologists, Schleiden and Schwann gave the Cell theory which states that :
(i) All plants and animals are composed of cells.
(ii) Cell is the basic unit of life.
(iii) All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
• Viruses are the exceptions of cell theory.

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Types of Cell & Organism :

On the Basis of Number of Cells :

Characteristics Unicellular organism Multicellular organism

Cell number Single cell Large number of cells
Function All functions are per- Different cells perform different
formed by single cell specific functions.
Division of labour Not performed Cells specified to perform differ-
ent functions.
Reproduction Involves the same Specialised cells, germ cells take
single cell part in reproduction.
Life span Short Long

On the Basis of Type of Organization

Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotic Cells

Very minute in size. Fairly large in size.
Nuclear region (nucleoid) not Nuclear material surrounded by a
surrounded by a nuclear membrane. nuclear membrane.
Single chromosome present. More than one chromosome present.
Nucleolus absent. Nucleolus present.
Membrane bound cell organelles are Membrane bound cell organelles are
absent. present.
Cell division by fission or budding Cell division by mitosis or meiosis.
(no mitosis).

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 23

Cell Shape : Cells are of variable shapes and sizes. Their shape is according
to the function. Generally cells are spherical but they may be elongated (nerve
cell), branched (pigmented), discoidal (RBC), spindle-shaped (muscle cell) etc.

Different kinds of cell found in the human body

Cell Size : Size of cell is variable depending upon the type of organism.
Some are microscopic while some are visible with naked eyes. Their size may
vary from 0.2 mm to 18 cm.
• Size of a typical cell in a multicellular organism ranges from 20-30 mm.

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 • The largest cell is ostrich egg (15 cm in diameter with shell & 8 cm in
diameter without cell).
• The longest cell is nerve cell (upto 1 m or more).
• Smallest cells so far known are PPLOs e.g., mycoplasma (0.1 mm in
diameter).
• Human egg is 0.1 mm in diameter.
Components of Cell
There is an occurrence of division of labour within a cell as they all got certain
specific components called ‘Cell organelles’. Each of them perform a specific
function.
The three basic components of all the cells are :
(i) Plasma membrane
(ii) Nucleus
(iii) Cytoplasm

Cell Membrane :
(a) Cell membrane is also called as plasma membrane or plasma
lemma.
(b) It is the limiting boundary of each cell which separates the
cytoplasm from its surroundings.
(c) It is found in both plant as well as animal cells.
(d) It is the outermost covering of a cell in case of animals and lies
below the cell wall in case of plants.
(e) It is made up of proteins and lipids where proteins are sandwiched

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 25

 between bilayer of lipids.
(f) Plasma membrane is selectively permeable in nature. It allows or
permits the entry and exit of some materials in and out of the cell.
(g) Singer and Nicholson gave the fluid mosaic model of plasma
membrane. According to them, it consists of a protein layer
sandwiched between two layers of lipids. It is in quasifluid state.
It is 75A thick.
(h) It is flexible and can be folded, broken and reunited.
Functions of Plasma Membrane :
(a) It regulates the movement of molecules inside and outside the
cell.
(b) It helps in maintaining the distinct composition of the cell.
(ii) Transportation of molecules across the Plasma Membrane :
This can be done by following ways :

• Diffusion : Movement of solutes or ions from higher concentration to

lower concentration is called as diffusion. It does not require energy
therefore, it is called as passive transport.
• Osmosis : The movement of solvent or water from higher concentration
(solvent) to lower concentration (solvent) through a semipermeable
membrane is called as osmosis Or the movement of solvent or water from
lower concentration to higher concentration of solution through a
semipermeable membrane is called as osmosis.
• Osmosis can also be called as ‘Diffusion of solvents’.
• Endomosis : Movement of solvent into the cell is called as Endomosis.
• Exosmosis : Movement of solvent outside the cell is called as Exomosis.
Types of Solutions on the Basis of Concentration

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 (a) Isotonic Solution : When the concentration of the solution
outside the cell is equal to the concentration of cytoplasm of the
cell, it is called as isotonic solution.
(b) Hypertonic Solution : When the concentration of the solution
outside the cell is more than the inside the cell. Due to this, cell
looses water and becomes plasmolysed.
(c) Hypotonic Solution : When the concentration of the solution
outside the cell is lesser than that of cytoplasm of cell. Due to
this, cell swells up and bursts.
Cell Wall
• It is the outermost covering of the plant cells.
• It is absent in animal cells.
• Cell wall is rigid, strong, thick, porous and non-living structure. It is
made up of cellulose and hemicelluloses. Cell walls of two adjacent cells
are joined by a layer called middle lamellae.

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 27

Functions of Cell Wall :
(a) It provides definite shape to the cell.
(b) It provides strength to the cell.
(c) It is permeable and allows entry of molecules of different sizes.
(d) It has the characteristics of repair and regeneration.
Nucleus

• Nucleus is the most important cell organelle which directs and controls
all its cellular activities.
• It is called as ‘Headquarter of the cell’.
• It was discovered by Robert Brown in 1831.
• In Eukaryotes, a well-defined nucleus is present while in Prokaryotes, a
well-defined nucleus is absent.
• Prokaryotes contain a primitive nucleus.
• It has double layered covering called as nuclear membrane.
• Nuclear membrane has pores which regulate the movement of materials
in & out of the cell.
• Besides nuclear membrane, nucleus also contains nucleolus and
chromatin material and the substance filled inside the nucleus is nucleolus.
• Chromosomes or chromatin material consists of DNA which stores and
transmits hereditary information for the cell to function, grow and
reproduce.
Functions of Nucleus :
(a) It controls all the metabolic activities of the cell and regulates the
cell cycle.
(b) It helps in transmission of hereditary characters from parents to
off springs.

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Cytoplasm

• Cytoplasm was discovered by Kolliker in 1862.

• It is the site of both biosynthetic and catabolic pathways.
• It can be divided into two parts :
(i) Cytosol : Aqueous soluble part contains various fibrous proteins
forming cytoskeleton.
(ii) Cell organelles : Living part of the cells having definite shape,
structure and function bounded by plasma membrane.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• It is the network of membranes present in the cytoplasm.
• It was discovered by Porter, Claude and Fullam.
• These are present in all cells except prokaryotes and mammalian
erythrocytes.

Endoplasmic reticulum is of two types :

Smooth ER Rough ER
• Made of tubules mainly. • Made of clstemae and vesicles.
• Helps in steroid, lipids and • Helps in protein synthesis.
Polysaccharide synthesis.
• Ribosomes are absent. • Contains ribosome on its surface.
• Helps in membrane biogenesis.
Functions of ER :
(a) It is the only organelle which can move within a cell so it serves
as a channel for the transport of materials between various regions

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 29

 of cytoplasm and between cytoplasm and nucleus.
(b) It also functions as a cytoplasmic framework to provide space for
some of the biochemical activities. It forms endoskeleton of cell.
(c) It helps in synthesis of fats, steroids, cholesterol etc.
(d) SER plays a crucial role in detoxification of drugs and poisonous
by-products.
Golgi Apparatus
Golgi apparatus consists of a system of membrane bounded vesicles arranged
parallel to each other in stacks called Cisternae along with some large and spherical
vacuoles. It was discovered by Camilo Golgi. In plants Golgi membrane is
bounded. It is single membrane bounded. It is absent in prokaryotes, mammalian
RBC’s & sieve cells.

Functions of Golgi apparatus :

(a) It helps in formation of lipids.
(b) It helps in formation of middle lamellae.
(c) It is secretary in nature.
(d) It helps in melanin synthesis.
(e) Lipids and proteins synthesized in endoplasmic reticulum are
packed at Golgi complex. They provide the site for assembly of
new membrane material.
Mitochondria

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It is a rod shaped structure found in cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells except
mammalian RBC’s.
• These are also absent in prokaryotes.
• It was first seen by Kolliker in insect cells.
• Maximum mitochondria are found in metabolically active cells.
• It is also called as ‘Power House of the Cell’ or the ‘Storage Battery’.
• It is double membranous structure where outer membrane has specific
proteins while inner membrane is folded inside to form chambers called
Cristae.
Functions of Mitochondria :
(a) Its main function is to produce and store the energy in the form of
ATP.

(b) It is the site of Kreb cycle of respiration.

Ribosomes

Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis.

All structural and functional proteins (enzymes) coded by the nuclear DNA are
synthesized upon cytoplasmic ribosomes. The DNA codes are transcripted into
messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules in the chromosomes of the nucleus.
Functions of Ribosomes :
(a) Ribosomes are the main site of protein synthesis. Synthesized
proteins is transported by endoplasmic reticulum.
Plastid

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 31

 • It is double membranous discoidal structure, found only in plant cells.
• Besides being discoidal of rhombic in plant cells, they occur in variable
shapes like in algae. They can be ‘U’-shaped, spiral, coiled, ribbon-
shaped etc.
Depending upon the type of pigment present in them, they are of following
three types :
(i) Leucoplast – White, found in underground parts
(ii) Chloroplast – Red, brown
(iii) Chloroplast – Green in colour, found in aerial parts of plants
These are found only in plant cell. It helps in the process of photosynthesis so it
is called the ‘Kitchen of Plants’.
Chloroplast have following two parts :
(i) Grana : It constitutes the lamellar system. These are found
layered on top of each other. These stacks are called Grana. Each
granum of the chloroplast is formed by superimposed closed
compartments called Thylakoids.
Function : They are the sites of light reaction of photosynthesis as they
contain photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll. In each thylakoid,
Quantasomes are present which are called as Photosynthetic units.
(ii) Stroma : It is a granular transparent substance also called as
matrix. Grana are embedded in it. Besides Grana they also
contain lipid droplets, starch grains, ribosomes etc.
Function : This is the site of dark reaction of photosynthesis. Also helps
in protein synthesis due to presence of ribosomes.
Vacuoles

• These are membrane bounded regions in the cytoplasm containing water

and other substances.
• They are bounded by a single membrane called Tonoplast.
• In animal cells vacuoles are smaller in size and numerous while in plant

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 cells a single large vacuole is found which occupies about 90% of the
volume of cell.
Functions :
It helps in maintaining osmotic pressure in a cell & stores toxic metabolic
products of plant cell.
Lysosome

• They are tiny sac-like granules containing enzymes of intracellular

digestion.
• They are bounded by a single membrane.
• They occur in animal cells and a few plant cells.
• They do not have a definite shape or size.
Functions :
(a) Their main function is phagy = digestion.
(b) They are kind of waste disposal system.
(c) They help in digesting foreign materials & cells.
Suicidal Bag : During disturbances in cellular metabolism i.e., in case of cell
damage, lysosomes burst and their enzymes are released into the cytoplasm and
they digest their own cell. So they are also called ‘Suicidal Bag’.
Differences between Animal cell and Plant cell
Plant Cell Animal Cell
• Contain chloroplasts for • No cell wall.
photosynthesis.
• Have a cell wall to maintain • No chloroplasts.
structure and rigidity.
• Usually do not contain lysosoms and • Contain cilia and/or flagella
Peroxisomes.
• Cells are square and rigid or geometric • Cells are fluid and flexible,
shaped. many shapes.

Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell 33

• Limited movement. • Cells can move around.
• Have one large central vacuole. • Has small vacuoles.

QUESTIONS
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (1 Mark)
1. Name the largest cell of living world ?
2. Amoeba is a.............organism.
3. Who gave the fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane ?
4. Movement of solvent into the cell is called as................. .
5. Which cell organelle is called as the ‘Head quarter of cell’ ?
6. Which cell organelle is called as ‘Power house of cell’ ?
7. Which cell organelle contains enzymes for ATP production ?
8. In mitochondria, which portion contains specific proteins ?
9. Which cell organelle is called as ‘Digestive bag’ ?
10. Which organelle controls osomostic pressure in a cell ?
11. Plastids having coloured pigments are called as............... .
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (2 Marks)
1. What is the composition of protoplasm ?
2. Define cell ?
3. What is the difference between diffusion and osmosis ?
4. Why plasma membrane is called as selectively permeable membrane ?
5. Define Cristae ?
6. State any two function of Golgi body ?
7. Name various type of plastids present in a plant cell ?
8. State the main function of lisosome ?
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)
1. Who gave the cell theory ? What does it state ? Which organism is an
exception of cell theory ?
2. Draw a neat and labelled diagram of nucleus. State its main function.
3. Describe the types of endoplasmic reticulum and draw necessary figure ?
Give its main functions also?
4. Draw a neat and labelled diagram of mitochondria.
5. Differentiate between plant and animal cell with suitable figures.

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