The Cell

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LIFE AND LIVING

THE CELL

 Just as walls of a building are built from many bricks, all living things (organisms) consist of
minute of particles known as cells.
 Some organisms are so small that they consist of one cell.
 Other organisms, such as humans, consist of billions of cells.
 Therefore a cell can be defined as a basic unit of life.
 Cells differ in structure depending on their function.
 Most cells are too small to be observed with the naked eye.
 Cells are however larger than atoms and molecules.
 Cells have the same basic structure, they differ in certain regards.
 Plant cell differ from animal cell and cells in the roots differ from those in the leaves.
 Groups of cells with similar structure and specific function are called tissues.
 Tissues cannot function individually and are grouped together to form organs.
 An organism can only function effectively if all the organs work together.
 In a multicellular organism, heart organs are grouped together according to their function
and form a system (digestive system)
 All systems together form an organism.

THE CELL STRUCTURE

 Most cells are too small to be observed, except with a microscope.


 Each cell has a special function.
 The structure of a cell depends on its function but all cells have certain similar parts.
 Cell membrane forms the outer covering of the cell. It controls substances entering and
leaving the cell.
 Cytoplasm is the living substance of the cell. Cell membrane forms part of the cytoplasm. All
other parts of the cell (organelles) are found in the cytoplasm. Cytoplasm is a sticky, jelly like
fluid.
 Nucleus is the organelle that controls the function of the cell. It is the largest organelle and
can easily be observed through a microscope.
 Vacuole is an organelle which contains cell sap and is surrounded by a membrane.
 Mitochondrion small rod-shaped structure referred as power house of the cell as they break
down food to release energy. This process is called cellular respiration.

STRUCTURE OF A PLANT CELL

 Cell wall – plant cell is surrounded by a


cell wall. It consists of cellulose and is
non-living, rigid and strong. The cell
wall gives the plant cell its shape and
provides strength and protection.
 Cell membrane – the cell membrane is
found on the inside of the cell wall. It
encloses the cytoplasm and is living,
thin and flexible. It controls all
substances entering and leaving the
cell.

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 Cytoplasm – it is found on the inside of the cell membrane. It is a jelly like and makes up
most of the cell content. It contains a large vacuole and many organelles.
 The vacuole is surrounded by the tonoplast and the cavity is filled with cell sap. The cell sap
consists of water, soluble nutrients, mineral salts and waste products. Important organelles
found in green plant cells are chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll.
 Chloroplast – small oval structure found in plant cells only. Contains a green pigment called
chlorophyll. Chlorophyll traps sunlight and changes it into chemical energy in a process called
photosynthesis.. Photosynthesis is a process in green plants in which chlorophyll converts
the sunlight energy into chemical energy stored in food by using carbon dioxide and
water. Oxygen is released during this process.
 Nucleus – contains nucleoplasm and is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. It controls the
vital functions and processes of the cell. It also plays a role in hereditary.
 Mitochondrion small rod-shaped structure referred as power house of the cell as they break
down food to release energy. This process is called cellular respiration.

STRUCTURE OF AN ANIMAL CELL

Animal cell have no cell walls and


therefore have no particular shape.
Animal cell seldom have vacuoles. If
vacuoles are present though, they are
usually small.

 Cell membrane – the cell membrane


is found on the inside of the cell wall.
It encloses the cytoplasm and is
living, thin and flexible. It controls all
substances entering and leaving the
cell.
 Cytoplasm – as in plant cells,
organelles are also found in animal
cells but no plastids, such as
chloroplast.
 Nucleus – contains nucleoplasm and
is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. It controls the vital functions and processes of the cell.
It also plays a role in hereditary.
 Mitochondrion small rod-shaped structure referred as power house of the cell as they break
down food to release energy. This process is called cellular respiration.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLANT AND ANIMAL CELL

Characteristics Plant cell Animal cell

Cell shape Rigid and fixed shape due to Flexible or changeable shape
the presence of a cell wall. due to the absence of cell wall.
Cell wall Sturdy cell wall present. No cell wall.

Vacuole Has one or two large permanent Usually no vacuole or many


vacuoles. small one.
Chloroplast Found in cytoplasm of certain No chloroplast.
cells (green leaves)

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CELLS IN TISSUES, ORGANS AND SYSTEMS

 In plants (and other multicellular organisms) growth occurs when the number of cells increases.
 The increase in the number of cells occurs through a special process in which a mature mother
cell divides into two cells and each cell divides into two cells and each daughter cell develops to
maturity and then divides again. This division is known as mitosis.
 During the early stage of division, enzymes (chemical substances that control various processes
in cells) ensure that cells develop in such a way that they have different structures.
 These differences are known as differentiation which is aimed at cells having special functions. In
other word, the cells are specialised.
 Certain cells protect the body against germs, cells in the skin; certain conduct impulses to and
from the brain, e.g. nerve cells; certain cells can contract and relax, e.g. muscle cells.
 Differentiation thus gives rise to specialisation.
 Cells do not function individually in the body, but in groups. The following can be distinguished:

Tissue
A group of similar differentiated cells with intercellular matter with a common function is called
tissue. The epidermal cells of an onion peel forms tissue that protects the underlying parts. In a
similar manner muscle cell can function in groups to form muscle tissue and bone cells function
together to form bone tissue.

Organs
A group of differentiated tissues, each with its own specific function but with a common group
function is called an organ. A plant leaf is an organ that consists of various types of tissues.
According to the definition, a kidney, stomach, heart etc. can be classified as organs.

Organ systems
A group of different organs each with its specific function but with a common group function is
called an organ system. The teeth, tongue, oesophagus, small intestines, large intestines, liver,
etc. all have a digestive and together form the digestive system.

Organisms
Different organ systems that function together and are dependent on each other form an
organism. Plants and animals are organism. The body, consist of organ systems, is called an
organism.

During the life of an organism there will be times when the body will degenerate due to use or
become damaged in accidents. Cell division, growth and differentiation are used to repair this
damage. Without these processes most organisms would have very short lives.

THE LIGHT OR COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

 These cells include the yolk of birds’ egg, frog’s egg and fish egg.

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 Most cells are however too small to be seen without a microscope.

Consider the following diagram for the most important parts of the light microscope

Functions of the parts of a light microscope

Eye piece or ocular Is the lens against which eyes is placed that enlarges the
object observed, usually 10x.
Tube Holds the lenses of the eye piece at the correct working
distance apart.
Coarse adjustment knob Moves the tube up and down to focus the object being
observed.
Fine adjustment knob Used for the final focus to obtain clear image.

Arm Join the base and the platform to the tube and supports
the adjustment screws.
Rotating nose piece Holds the objectives with low and high power on a
rotating disc.
Objectives Lenses of the objectives help to enlarge image:
- The shorter one gives a lower magnification x4.
- The longer one give a higher magnification (10x and
40x)
Platform Supports the microscope slide over the opening which
transmits light from the mirror or electric source below.
Condenser and diaphragm Controls the amount of light directed onto passing
through the object; focuses light rays from the mirror of
light source onto the object.
Mirror or electric light source Reflects light upwards through the condenser towards
the opening in the platform.
Base It is firm and supports the weight of the microscope

 Magnification: If the magnifying power of the eye piece is 10x and that of the objective is
40x, then that total magnification of the object being viewed is 10 x 40; or 400x.
 Microscope slide: Consist of a glass slide, the object (specimen) and a cover-slip.

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