UNIT1

Cell Its Structure and Functions

Write a brief note on Endoplasmic
Reticulum ?
1. Endoplasmic Reticulum is a
network of membrane bound tubes
and sheets.
2. Endoplasmic Reticulum is of two
types a)Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum
b)Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
3. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – The
Endoplasmic Reticulum which is studded with
ribosomes on its surface is called Rough
Endoplasmic Reticulum.
4. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum – Areas
of Endoplasmic Reticulum that don’t have
ribosomes on its surface is called smooth
Endoplasmic Reticulum.
Functions-
1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is the
site of protein synthesis.
2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum helps in the
manufacture of fat molecules or lipids.
3. Endoplasmic Reticulum serve as channels
for the transport of materials between various
regions of the cytoplasm or between the
cytoplasm and the nucleus.
4. It functions as a cytoplasmic
framework providing a surface for
various biochemical activities.
5. In vertebrate liver cells smooth
endoplasmic Reticulum helps in detoxifying
drugs and poisons.
Explain about the GOLGI COMPLEX?
1. Camillo Golgi observed this organelle
using a compound microscope in 1898.
2. Golgi complex is made up of several
membrane bound sac like structures called
cisternae, around which fluid filled vesicles
or bounds.
3. The proteins and other substance
produced in
the ribosomes reach the Golgi complex
through these vesicles.
4. These substances are altered slightly.
5. The main function of Golgi complex is to
pack proteins before they are transported
to other parts of the cell.
6. From here these proteins are sent
to cell membrane or to lysosomes.
7. The number of Golgi complex in animal
cells are nearly 10-20. Their number
increases in those
8. cells that secrete hormones and enzymes.

Differentiate between Plant cell and

Animal cell?
Plant cell Animal cell

1)Plant cells are 1) Animal cells are

usually generally small in size.
large in size.
2)cell wall is present 2)cell wall is absent
3)plastids(chromoplast 3)plastids are
s and chloroplasts) absent except the
are present. protozoan euglena
4)centrioles are 4)centrioles are
absent present
5)vacuoles are larger 5 vacuoles are smaller
in size. in size

Differentiate between Prokaryotic

cells and Eukaryotic cells?
PROKARYOTIC CELL EUKARYOTIC CELL
1)Nuclear membrane 1)
around nucleus is Nuclear membrane
absent around nucleus is
present.
2)Membrane bound 2) Membrane bound
cell organelles are cell organelles are
absent. present.
3)Most prokaryotic 3)Most eukaryotic
cells are unicellular. cells are multicellular.
4)It contains a single 4)It contains more
chromosome. than
one chromosome.
5)nucleolus is absent 5)Nucleolus is
present.
6)cell division occurs 6)Cell division occurs
by mitosis. by both mitosis and
meiosis
7)size of the cell 7)size of the cell is
generally small generally large.
8)these are found in 8)these are present in
bacteria and blue – fungi, plants and
green algae animal cells.

2) What would happen to the cell if

Nucleus is removed? Give two reaons
to support your answer?
1. Nucleus is the most important cell
organelle.It
is called “cells control room”.
2. It regulates and controls all the
functions of a cell and determines the
characteristics of the organism.
3. Nucleus consists of genetic
material DNA(Deoxy RiboNucleic acid)which
contains all the genetic
information which was passed from parents to
offsprings.
4. Nucleus is closely involved in the
process of cell division.
5. If the nucleus is removed it results in the
death of cytoplasm and the cell dies.
3) Lysosomes are known as suicidal
bags of the cell Why?
1) Lysosomes are tiny particles
visible in the cytoplasm.
2) It contains destructive enzymes.
3) The materials that need to be
destroyed are transported to the
lysosomes.
4) At times lysosomes burst and the
enzymes are released to digest the cell.
5) Hence lysosomes are also known as the
“suicidal bags of the cell.”
4) Why does plant cell possess
large sized vacuole?
1) vacuoles are membrane bound cell
organelles present in the cytoplasm and filled
with a watery fluid containing various
substances.
2) plant vacuoles serve as water
reservoir, an osmoregulator and a waste
reservoir.
3) They control the turgor pressure exerted
by the cytoplasm against cellwall.
4) The central vacuole presses out
against the cellwall keeping the cell's
shape.
5) plants can use the internal
pressure in cell elongation for controlled
growth.
6) The plants vacuole is critical to more
function than the animal vacuole.
7) Hence plant cell posses large sized
 vacuole.

5) Cell is the basic unit of life.

Expalin the statement?
1) The cell theory states that cells
fundamental units of life,that all organisms
are composed of cells and that all cells arise
from preexisting cells.
2) The cellular level of an organism is
where the metabolic processes occur that
keeps the organism alive.
3) that is why the cell is the basic unit of life.
6) who and when was the cell theory
proposed. When did they prepared it?
What are its salient features?
A) M.J Schleiden and Theodar Schwann
proposed cell theory in 1838-39.
statements of modern form of cell theory:
1) All the living organisms are made up of
cells and their products.
2) All the cells are formed from preexisting
cells.
3) All the cells are made up of similar
chemicals and show similar metabolic
activities.
4) Functioning of an organism depends on
the functions carried out and interaction of
different cells present in the organism.
7) What happens if the plasma
membrane ruptures or breaks?
1) If the plasmamembrane ofa cell is
ruptured, then the cell will die.
2) The plasmamembrane regulates the
movement of substances in and out of the
cell by diffusion or osmosis.
3) Thus if plasmamembrane is ruptured
then the cell might leak out its contents.
8) What would happen to the life of the cell
if
there was no Golgy complex?
1) If there was no golgi apparatus in the
cell, most of the activities performed by golgi
complex will not take place.
2) package of various substances would
not takes place if golgi apparatus is absent.
3) from golgi complex proteins and
other substances are either send
towards the cell
membrane or to another cell organelle,
Lysosome.
4) Proteins and other substances
produced in the Ribosomes may not be
transferred to lysosomes.
5) If that occurs,repair of cell membranes
would not takes place hence ultimately the
cell dies.
6) If the toxic substances are not
sent to lysosomes and are not
destroyed they get
stored in the cell andthe cell dies.
9. When you are observing the nucleus of
cheek cell in laboratory, what
precautions do you take
?
Precautions: 1. Do not scrape the cheek too
hard as it may injure your buccal mucosa.
2. Scraped material should be spread
uniformly on the slide.
3. Excess stains should be drained off.
4. There should be no air-bubbles under the
cover slip
10. Read the chapter carefully collect the
information about the functions of
different cell organelles and make a table
which contains serial number. Cell
organelle and their function. Don’t forget
to write your specific findings below the
table?
Serial Cell organelle Function
number
1 Nucleus Nucleus regulates
and controls all the
functions of a cell
and determines the
characteristics of
the organism.
2. Endoplasmic 1. It serves as
reticulum channels for the
transport of
materials within
the cell.
2. It also functions
as a cytoplasmic
frame work for
various
bioChemical
activities.
3. Golgi apparatus It packs various
substances.proteins
are altered slightly
By golgi apparatus.
4 Lysosomes It participates in
intracellular
 digestion.It
destroys the cell
contents.
5 Mitochondria It produces energy
through cellular
respiration.
6 Plastids These are
responsible for the
colour of the cell
a.
Chloroplasts These trap solar
energy and convert
this to chemical
energy during
photosynthesis

b.Chromoplas These are

ts responsible for the
coloured fruits and
flowers
c. Leucoplasts These are
colourless, stores
carbohydrates,oils
and proteins.
Specific findings:
1. Nucleus is the bearer of all
genetic information.
2. Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes
on its surface is known as Rough
endoplasmic reticulum.It helps in protein
synthesis.
3. Endoplasmic reticulum with out
ribosomes is known as smooth
endoplasmic reticulum which helps in
lipid synthesis.
4. Golgi apparatus helps in package of
proteins produced by Ribosomes.
5. Lysosomes cause destruction of the
cell,hence they are known as suicidal
bags.
6. As they produce energy in the cell
mitochondria are known as power
house of the cell.
7. Chloroplasts, Leucoplasts, and
chromoplasts are types of plastids
present only in plants.
15. How do you appreciate about the
organization
of cell in the living body?
1) I see five levels of organisation of cell in the
living body
2) The cell is well organised in living body as
it makeup tissues,tissues make up
organs,organs make up organ system and
organ system make up living organisms.
3) The cell is the fundamental or basic unit
ultimately forming unicellular and
multicellular organisms.
4) Organisation continues beyond organisms
to form populations,communities,ecosystems
and to biosphere.
16. If the organization of cell is destroyed
due to physical and chemical influence
what will happen?
1) cell is the smallest unit of life, which is
capable of carrying all living functions.
2) If the organisation of a cell is destroyed due
to
physical or chemical influence then the ability of
the cell to perform all living functions such as
respiration,nutrition,excretion etc,..would be
affected
17. How could you appreciate the
function of a tiny cell in a large body of
an organism ?
1)According to the cell theory all living
organisms are made up of cells
2A cell is the smallest unit of life and is
capable of carrying all living functions.
3) The functions of an organism depend
on the functions carried out by its cells.
4) Cells are building blocks of life.
5) This is the reason why cells are referred to
as the basic structural and functional unit of
life.
6) All cells vary in shape ,size and
activity they perform.
7) the shape and size of the cell is related to
specific
function they perform.
8) If the cells present in an organism
function properly the body of the
organism functions properly.