Chapter

1
Cellular Organization
of Plants and Animals

Millions of blood cells are running in blood vessels of our body.

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
 Define a cell.
 Describe the different parts of a light microscope and its working.
 Identify different kinds of cells using a microscope.
 Draw, label and describe the basic structure of an animal cell and a plant
cell.
 Compare and contrast an animal cell with a plant cell.
 State the function of each part of the cell to indicate how the cell supports
life.
 Differentiate between unicellular and multicellular organisms.
 Distinguish between tissues and organs.
 Recognize root and shoot systems in plants.
 State the functions of the major systems of the human body.
 Describe the cellular hierarchy from cell to organ systems in animals and
plants.
 When we look at a brick house, we can easily see that the bricks are
small units in it. Like a brick house, all living things or organisms are made of
very small units. In this chapter we shall discuss about these small units of
living organisms.

Cells
All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of structure
and function of all living organisms. Plants and animals are made of trillions of
cells. Some living organisms consist of only one cell, e.g. bacteria. Cells are
different in sizes, shapes and functions (Fig.1.1).

Nerve cells conduct

messages.

Skin cells cover the White blood cells fight

body and protect inner against germs that cause
layers. diseases.

Red blood cells transport

oxygen around the body.

Bone cells produce Muscle cells contract and bring

bones to shape and about movement.
support body.

Fig. 1.1: Different cells of our body perform different functions.

Some cells are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, e.g. yolk of
an egg. But most cells are too small. We cannot see them with our eyes. We
need a special instrument to see the cells.

The term “cell” was first used by an English

scientist Robert Hooke in 1665. He observed
tiny box like structures in a thin slice of a cork
under a microscope. He called these
structures “cells”. Which structure comes to
your mind?

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Microscope
Microscope is an instrument which is used to see very small things that
cannot be seen with naked eye. When we look at something through a
microscope, it appears larger. The microscopes we use in our schools are light
microscopes. These microscopes use light to show the images.

A light microscope has a base, an arm, a tube, a stage and two

adjustment screws (Fig.1.2). Two lenses are fitted on the two ends of the tube.
The end of the tube through which we observe an object is called an eyepiece.

The lens near the object to be seen is called an objective lens. Light is
passed through the object from
eye piece
below, using a mirror.

The object to be seen is

tube adjustment screws
placed on a glass slide and then on
the stage. To focus the object clearly
in the microscope, two adjustment
objective
screws are used. lens

We can view an object up to arm

1500 times bigger than its original
size. Most of the cells are too small to
stage
be seen without a microscope. What
did biologists use to see inside the mirror
cell?
The slide is a rectangular base
piece of glass. The object
is placed on it to observe Fig. 1.2: A light
under the microscope.
microscope
Activity 1.1
Under the supervision of your science teacher bring a light microscope
in the classroom. Identify different parts of the microscope.

Now-a-days scientists use electron microscopes to see very small

Do you objects inside the cell. An electron microscope can magnify the
know? image up to 500,000 times. It shows clear images on a television
screen. This microscope uses a beam of electrons instead of light.
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 Animal Cell and Plant Cell
Animal cells and plant cells are similar in many features but a few
differences are also present.

There are many parts in a cell. A microscopic study of cells shows

different parts in animal and plant cells (Fig.1.3 a,b).

nucleus cell wall

endoplasmic
reticulum

vacuole

cell membrane

mitochondrion

chloroplast
centrioles

Fig.1.3: (a) An animal cell Fig.1.3: (b) A plant cell

1. Cell Wall
The outermost covering of a plant cell is called the cell wall . It is made of
a hard material, called cellulose. The cell wall supports the cell and gives it
shape. Animal cells do not have a cell wall. Can you explain why a plant body is
so hard and animal’s body is not?

2. Cell Membrane
The outermost covering of an animal cell is called the cell membrane. In
plant cells it is present next to the cell wall. The cell membrane controls the
movement of materials in and out of the cell.

Point to think!
Many tiny holes are present in cell membrane. What is the purpose of these holes?

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3. Cytoplasm
Jellylike material present inside the cell membrane is called cytoplasm. It
contains water and other chemical substances. Many cell organelles (tiny cell
structures) are present in it. Most of the cell functions take place in cytoplasm.

CELL ORGANELLES
1. Endoplasmic It is a network of channels. The movement of
reticulum materials in the cell takes place through the
endoplasmic reticulum.

2. Mitochondria Mitochondria are cell parts that provide energy

to the cell.
3. Chloroplasts Chloroplasts are parts of plant that contain
chlorophyll. They trap energy from the Sun.
Plants use the energy to make food.

4. Vacuoles Vacuoles store waste materials, water, air

and food particles. In plant cells a single
large vacuole is present, but in animal cells
many small vacuoles are present.
5. Centrioles Two centrioles are present near the nucleus of
an animal cell. They play an important role in
animal cell division.

4. Nucleus
The most important part of a cell is its nucleus. It chromosomes
controls all the activities of the cell. Therefore, a nucleus is the
control centre of the cell. A thin membrane, called nuclear
membrane, surrounds the nucleus. Many thread like
structures called chromosomes are present in the nucleus.
nuclear
membrane
Chromosomes pass on the characteristics of the cell to
new cells. The number of chromosomes is fixed in every cell. A Fig. 1.4:
Nucleus of a cell
human cell has 46 chromosomes.

Point to think!
What would happen to a cell if we removed its nucleus?

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 Activity 1.2
You will need
 a light microscope
 prepared slide of human cheek cells
 prepared slide of onion cells microscope
Procedure
1. Observe the slide of onion cells under the
microscope. Draw a diagram of one onion cell.
Identify and label its parts. onion cells
2. Observe the slide of human cheek cells under the
microscope. Draw the diagram of one cell and label
its parts. cheek cells
3. Compare the two cells. What difference do you find?

Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, etc.
are present in both plant and animal cells. But there are some differences too.

Plant cell Animal Cell

1. Cell wall is present. 1. Cell wall is absent.
2. Nucleus lies near the side of the 2. Nucleus lies in the center of the cell.
cell wall because of a large vacuole.
3. Single large vacuole is present. 3. Many small vacuoles are present.
4. Chloroplasts are present. 4. Chloroplasts are absent.
5. Centrioles are absent. 5. Centrioles are present.

Activity 1.3
Draw diagrams of animal cell and plant cell on a chart and hang it in
the classroom. (Whole class activity)

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Unicellular and Multicellular Organisms
Some living organisms are made of one cell and some are made of many
cells. The living organisms made of only one cell are called unicellular
organisms. Bacteria, chlamydomonas, amoeba and paramecium (Fig 1.5) are
unicellular organisms.

The living organisms made of more than one cell are called multicellular
organisms. Plants and animals which we see around us are multicellular
organisms (Fig 1.5).

chlamydomonas

boy butterfly

amoeba
plant
Fig. 1.5: Identify unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Activity 1.4
Under the supervision of your science teacher put a drop of pond water on
a glass slide. Observe it under a microscope. You will see many moving
unicellular animals and plants. Draw and label the diagrams of amoeba and
chlamydomonas.

Cells Form Tissues

In multicellular organisms, cells work in groups. A group of cells performing
same function is called a tissue. Plants and animals have different tissues in their
bodies. xylem tissue
epidermal
Some Plant Tissues tissue phloem
Following are some plant tissues (Fig. tissue
1.6):
Epidermal tissue
Epidermal tissue covers the roots, stem
and leaves of a plant.
Xylem tissue Fig. 1.6: Some
Xylem tissue conducts water and plant tissues
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dissolved salts from roots to the leaves.
Phloem tissue
Phloem tissue carries prepared food from leaves to other parts of plants.
Mesophyll tissue nerve tissue muscle tissue
Mesophyll tissues present in leaves make
food for the plant.
Some Animal Tissues
Following are some animal tissues (Fig. 1.7):
Muscle tissue
blood tissue
In an animal’s body muscle cells form
muscle tissues to help in movement. bone tissue
Bone tissue
Fig. 1.7: Some animal tissues
Bone tissue is formed by bone cells. This
strong and solid tissue gives shape and support to the body.
Blood tissue
Blood cells form blood tissue. This tissue carries materials from one part
of the body to the other.
Point to think!
Fat protects our heart and kidneys from injuries. Is fat also a tissue?

Tissues Form Organs

Different tissues group together to form organs. Our body is made of a
number of different organs such as the heart, lungs, eyes, brain, etc. An organ is
made of different tissues which work together. An organ performs one or more
than one functions.
Some Plant Organs leaf
flower
Following are some plant organs (Fig. 1.8):
Leaf
Plant leaf is an important organ. Leaves
make food. Who use this food?
Flower
A flower is another important organ of the
roots
plants. Flowers produce seeds. Seeds grow to
produce new plants. Fig.1.8: Some plant organs
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Root
This organ holds the plant in the soil. Root also absorbs water and salts
for the plant.

Some Animal Organs

Following are some animal organs (Fig. 1.9):
Heart
The heart pumps the blood in blood heart
vessels which carry it to all parts of the liver
body.
Tongue
Our tongue is an organ which tastes
food and helps in digestion of food.
Liver lungs
Liver is an organ which helps in
Fig.1.9: Some animal organs
digestion of food. It also performs many
other important functions.

Organs Form Organ Systems

Like cells and tissues, organs also form groups.
An organ system is a group of organs which work
together. Different organ systems do one or
more than one special functions.
Major Organ Systems in Plants
shoot system

Plants have two main organ systems;

root system and shoot system (Fig. 1.10):
Root System
The root and its branches form the root
system of a plant. Roots are present under the
soil. Roots hold the plant in the soil. Root
system helps the plant to absorb water and
root system

salts from the soil.

Shoot System
The part of the plant outside the ground
forms shoot system. It consists of main stem, Fig.1.10: Plant systems

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leaves, branches and flowers. Shoot system performs many functions such as
movement of water, food making and producing seeds, etc.
Major Human Organ Systems
Many organ systems are present in a human body. These organ
systems perform important functions. Some major human organ systems are
given below (Fig.1.11).
Digestive System
This organ system consists of mouth, food pipe, stomach, intestines and
liver. It helps in digestion of food.
Respiratory System
Respiratory system consists of nose, windpipe and lungs. We breathe
through this organ system.
Circulatory System
This organ system consists of heart and blood vessels. It circulates the
blood within the body. The blood carries materials with it.
Nervous System
Nervous system consists of brain, spinal cord and nerves. It carries
messages from one part of the body to the other.

circulatory
digestive nervous
respiratory system
system system
system

Fig. 1.11: Some major human organ systems

Do you Your heart is a strange organ. It works the whole life and does not
know? get tired.

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 Tidbits:
The human body is made of more than two hundred different types of cells. In
flowering plants, nine types of cells are present. The fresh water animal hydra has
only seven different types of cells.
Kidneys are very important organs of our body. They remove wastes from the blood
and control the quantity of water in the body.
Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Its outermost part is made of dead cells. Is
not it strange that we make much effort to make our dead cells look nice?

Organisms
The highest level of organization in
living things is the organism. An
organism is a combination of
different organs and organ systems
which work in coordination.
If any of the body system fails to
work properly, a living organism
may die.

Organization of Life
organs organ organism
cells tissues
systems

Chapter Review
1. A cell is the basic unit of structure and function of living organisms.
2. Cells are different in their sizes, shapes and functions.
3. A microscope helps in seeing micro-organisms.
4. A cell has different parts like cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and a nucleus.
5. Plant and animal cells are different in some features.
6. One-celled organisms are called unicellular organisms.
7. Organisms consisting of many cells are called multicellular organisms.
8. Cells form tissues, tissues form organs, organs form organ systems, all organs and
organ systems form an organism.

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 Test Preparation
1. Write proper term/word against each statement.
i. A group of different tissues which work together
ii. The brain of the cell which controls its functions
iii. An organism consists of several cells
iv. A group of cells which are similar in structure and function
v. Outer covering of a plant cell
vi. An instrument to see things which are not seen with naked eyes
2. Circle the letter of the best answer.
i. Animal cells do not make their own food because they do not have:
(a) mitochondria (b) vacuoles
(c) chloroplasts (d) centrioles
ii. The “power houses” of the cell are:
(a) chloroplasts (b) mitochondria
(c) vacuoles (d) chromosomes
iii. Aamir was looking at a cell through a microscope and saw mitochondria and
cell membrane. What could Aamir say about the cell?
(a) It can only be a plant cell.
(b) It can only be an animal cell.
(c) It is either a plant or an animal cell.
(d) It is neither a plant nor an animal cell
iv. Heart, liver and ears are examples of animal:
(a) organs (b) tissues
(c) cells (d) organ systems
v. Plants make their food in leaves and it is stored in other parts because:
(a) they have xylem tissues. (b) they have roots.
(c) they have stems. (d) they have phloem tissues.
3. Answer the following questions in detail.
i. Describe parts and functioning of a light microscope.
ii. Describe the structure of a plant cell. Also draw its labelled diagram.
iii. Write a note on the nucleus of a cell.
iv. Write about shoot system of a plant.
v. Define a cell, a tissue, an organ, an organ system and an organism.
4. Extend your thinking.
i. A brain cell contains thousands of mitochondria. What can you conclude
from this information about the brain’s need for energy?
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 ii. Which cell part is being described?
(a) helps keep cytoplasm inside ____________
(b) controls all cell activities ____________
(c) liquid-filled space for storage ____________
(d) green parts which trap energy ____________
(e) clear, jellylike material ____________
iii. Suppose you saw a small organism moves across your book. Would you
conclude that this organism was multicellular or unicellular?
iv. How is a tissue like a team?
5. Complete the Venn diagram.
Complete the Venn diagram to show what parts plant cells have and what
parts animal cells have.

Science Projects
1 Under the supervision of your science teacher observe different prepared slides
under a light microscope. Draw diagrams of what you see on each slide.
2 Make a model of plant cell and animal cell. You can use Rafhan jelly mix, a round
pan (for an animal cell), a rectangular pan (for a plant cell) and some edible
materials such as nuts, pieces of slanty, slices of pineapple.

An electron microscope is a very high-powered microscope that uses electrons

instead of light. It can show an image more than 500,000 times bigger. Many
things that cannot be seen with a light microscope can be seen with an electron
microscope. The electron microscope produces a picture similar to the way a
television does. The cost of an electron microscope is in lacs. Why do you think
the prices of electron microscopes should become low? How can it help in
scientific advancement in our country?

Computer www.biology4kids.com/files/cell-main.html
Links http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize

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