Introduction to Cell

Ever thought what ​living organisms​ composed of? Or rather what is it

that makes us living beings? Here comes the introduction to Cell. The
cell is the smallest structural unit of a living organism. So, everything
that we are able to do is possible because of the 10 trillion cells
present in our body. The number is huge and of course, the function
performed by them is even bigger. In this topic here, we’ll introduce
you to cells. Let’s begin.

Introduction to Cell

The introduction to ​cell​ began back in the year 1655 when a

revolutionary observation was made by an English scientist Robert
Hooke. This observation made by him was so huge that it went on to
change the basic ​biological​ theory and research forever. So, how was
the cell discovered?

Robert Hooke was examining a dried section of the cork tree using a
crude light microscope. In this analysis, he observed multiple small
chambers which he named the cells. Thereafter, over the next 175
years, several kinds of research were made which led to the formation
of the cell theory that we know today.

The first such theory was proposed by the German botanist Matthias
Jacob Schleiden and the German physiologist Theodore Schwann in
1838. This theory was formalized in the year 1858 by the German
researcher Rudolf Virchow.

Cell Theory
● The cell is the basic functional and structural unit of life. All
the living organisms are composed of cells.
 ● All cells are formed by the division of the already existing cells
which in terms of biology means ​reproduction​. Every cell of
our body comprises of genetic material which is passed down
during the process.
● All the basic physiological and chemical functions i.e. the
growth, repair, movement, ​communication​, immunity and
digestions​ are performed inside the cells.
● All the activities of the cell depend mainly on the activities of
the subcellular structures that lie within the cell. These
subcellular structures comprise of the plasma membrane,
organelles and if present, the nucleus.

What are Cells?

Here is the revised introduction to cell. In all the living beings, cells
are the basic structural units. We can compare the presence of cells in
our body to the bricks in a building. All the bricks are assembled to
make a building. Similarly, all the cells are assembled to make the
body of an organism.
Thus, it is the basic structural and functional unit of life and all the
organisms are made up of cells. The subcellular structures of the cell
comprise of the plasma membrane, organelles and in some cases a
nucleus as well. As for the size of the cell, it is variable and maybe
anything from 1 to 100 micrometre.

How Are Cells Produced?

Every cell is produced by the division of a cell that is already existing

in our body. This is possible because of the genetic ​material​ contained
in the cell. The genetic material is passed down from one cell to
another during the reproduction process. Unlike the non-living bricks,
the cells of the living organisms are rather complex living structures.
Therefore, the cells can divide the genetic material and form two new
cells.
Types of Cell

Broadly, there are two key types of cells i.e. the ​Prokaryotic Cell​ and
the Eukaryotic Cell. The difference between the two is defined mainly
by the presence or the absence of the nuclear membrane. Let’s know
more about the two types of cells.

1) Prokaryotic Cell

If a cell has a nuclear material without a nuclear membrane, then it is

known as the prokaryotic cell. Those organisms which have these type
of cells are commonly known as the prokaryotes where ‘pro’ stands
for primitive and ‘karyon’ stands for the nucleus. Some of the
organisms that have prokaryotic cells include bacteria and the
blue-green algae.
2) Eukaryotic Cell

If a cell has a nuclear material with a nuclear membrane, then it is

known as the ​Eukaryotic Cell​. Those organisms which have these type
of cells are commonly known as eukaryotes where ‘eu’ stands for true
and ‘karyon’ stands for the nucleus. All the living organisms except
bacteria and blue-green algae have Eukaryotic Cells.

Question For You

Q: Why is cell the fundamental unit of life?

Ans: A cell is capable of independent existence and can carry out all
the functions which are necessary for the existence of the living being.
Some of the functions that are performed by the cell include ​nutrition​,
respiration, excretion, transportation and reproduction.

These functions are very similar to the functions of the individual

organism. Even the unicellular organisms are capable of independent
existence. This proves the capability of the cell to exist independently.
Therefore, a cell is the structural and fundamental unit of life.

Cell Structure and Functions

Cells are important ​elements​ of living. Be it humans or plants or
animals, every living organism is composed of ​cells​. Naturally, if they
are the structural and functional unit of living, there has to be
something peculiar about them? Do you know what it is? What is it
about cell structure and functions that make them so important? Let’s
find out.

Cell Structure and Functions

Every organ in our body performs a variety of different functions such

as ​digestion​, ​assimilation, and absorption​. Similarly, in the plants too,
there are different ​organs​ of the plant which performs specialized or
specific functions. For instance, the roots of the plants help in the
absorption of minerals and water.

In our body and in the body of every ​living organism​, every organ is
composed of smaller parts known as tissues. A tissue is a group of like
cells that perform a specific function. Let’s learn more about the cell
structure and functions.

Parts of the Cell

Cell Membrane

One of the most important parts of the cell is the cell membrane. The
cell membrane acts as a semi-permeable barrier. It allows only a few
molecules across it and fences the majority of organically produced
chemicals inside the cell.

The primary components of the cell are – cell membrane, nucleus, and
cytoplasm. The nucleus and cytoplasm are enclosed within the cell
membrane that is also known as the plasma membrane. It works to
separate cells from one another and also the cell from the surrounding
medium. The plasma membrane is porous and allows the movements
of materials or substances both inward and outward.

Cell membrane offers shape and rigidity to the cell. In the case of the
plant cells, besides the cell membrane, there is also an outer thick
layer that is known as the cell wall. This additional layer which
surrounds the cell membrane is necessary for offering the requisite
protection to the plants.

A Plant Cell

The cells of the plants need protection against the variations in

temperature, high wind speed, atmospheric moisture, etc. The plants
are exposed to variations since they cannot move. You can easily
observe the cells in the lead peel of Rhoeo, Tradescantia or Elodea.

Cytoplasm

Another important part of the cell is the cytoplasm. It is a jelly-like

substance that is present between the nucleus and the cell membrane.
There are a number of other components or organelles of the cell that
can be found in the cytoplasm. These are ​mitochondria​, Golgi bodies,
ribosomes, etc.
Nucleus

The nucleus is believed to be the most important component of the

living cell. It is located in the centre of the cell and is usually spherical
in shape. You can stain the nucleus and see it clearly by using a
microscope. The nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by a
membrane known as the nuclear membrane. This membrane is also
porous and allows the moment of materials between the cytoplasm
and the inside of the nucleus.

If you have a microscope of a higher magnification, you can see a

smaller spherical body found in the nucleus. This is the nucleolus.
Besides the nucleolus, the nucleus also has several thread-like
structures known as the chromosomes. The chromosomes carry genes
and support in transfer or inheritance of characters from the parents to
the offspring. You can only see the chromosomes when the cell
divides.

You can think of genes as CD or memory stick that is used to carry

data or music from one computer to another. In the similar fashion,
genes carry genetic codes that are responsible for the unique physical
characteristics of an animal or a plant.
Nucleus works as the control centre of the activities of the cell. The
entire content of a living cell is known as protoplasm. It includes the
cytoplasm and the nucleus. Protoplasm is called the living substance
of the cell.

Functions of a Cell

As you already know that a cell is a structural and functional unit of

living. Let us study 6 of the most vital functions performed by a cell.

Structure and Support

You know a house is made of bricks. Similarly, an organism is made

up of cells. Though there are certain cells such as collenchyma and
sclerenchyma are present for offering structural support however in
general too, all ​cells​ generally provide the structural basis of all
organisms.

Growth

In complex organisms such as humans, the ​tissues​ grow by simple

multiplication of cells. Hence, cells are responsible for the growth of
the organism. The entire thing takes place via a process of mitosis.

Transport
Cells import the nutrients that are used in the different chemical
process which take place inside them. As a result of these processes, a
waste​ product is produced. Cells then work to get rid of this waste. In
this manner, the small molecules like the such as ​oxygen​, carbon
dioxide, and ethanol pass through the cell membrane by diffusion.
This method is known as passive transport. On the other hand, the
larger molecules like the proteins and polysaccharides, go in and out
of the cell via active transport.

Energy Production

Organisms need ​energy​ to perform different chemical reactions. In

plants, the energy comes from the process of photosynthesis while in
the animals the energy comes via ​respiration​.

Metabolism

Cell is responsible for metabolism that includes all the ​chemical

reactions​ that take place inside an organism to keep it alive.

Reproduction

A cell helps in reproduction by the processes of mitosis (in more

evolved organisms) and meiosis.
Difference between Plant Cells and Animal Cells

There are some differences between a plant and animal cell structure
and functions. Here, we have pointed out some of the notable
differences.

● The plant cells have a cell wall which surrounds the cell
membrane. On the other hand, the animal cells only have a cell
membrane.
● In plant cells, there are chloroplasts which are helpful in
photosynthesis.
● In the plant cells, there is a larger vacuole (it’s like a fluid sack)
in comparison to the animal cells.
● The animal cells are ‘blobby.’ On the other hand, the cells in
the plants are more structured because of the presence of a cell
wall. It forms a lattice-like structure which helps with
rigidness.

A Solved Question for You

Q: What is the name given to cells without any organized nucleus?

Ans: Cells without a well-organised nucleus, i.e. the cells which lack a
definite nuclear membrane is known as prokaryotic cells.

Cell- Number, Shape and Size

There’s no exaggeration in the fact that we are alive because of the 10

trillion ​cells​ in our body. Each of these cells is repeatedly performing
the actions in our body to help us get through the day to day activities.
The role and importance of cell are undeniable. But have you ever
pondered about the cell size? In this topic, we’ll help you understand
the cell number, cell shape and cell size. Let’s start.

Cell- Number, Shape and Size

There are millions of ​living organisms​ around us. Each of them has
different size and shape. Moreover, their organs also vary in size,
shape and number of cells.
Cell Number

Our human body has trillions of cells. Surprisingly enough, each of

these cells varies in shapes and sizes. There are several different
groups of cells which perform a plethora of functions. Every organism
that has more than one cell is known as the multi-cellular organism.

Even an organism that has billions of cells happens to begin its life
with a single cell, that is a fertilized egg. This fertilized egg goes on to
multiply, thereby increasing the number of cells as the development
takes place. If an organism is a single-celled organism, then it would
be a unicellular organism.

A single-celled organism is just as capable of performing all the

requisite life ​functions​. So, just like the multicellular organisms, the
single-celled organisms also perform their functions but only using a
single cell. Every single-celled organism such as an ​amoeba​ captures
and digests ​food​, respires, excretes, grows and reproduces.

The similar functions are performed in the multicellular organisms.

However, in their case, these functions are performed by a group of
specialised cells forming different ​tissues​. These tissues, in turn, go on
to form organs.

Learn more about ​Parts, Structure and Functions of Cell in more detail
here​.

Cell Shape

Usually, the cells are round, elongated or spherical. There are also
some cells which are long and pointed on both the ends. Such cells
exhibit spindle shape. In some cases, the cells are very long. Some
may be branched like the ​neuron​ or the nerve cell. The nerve cell
transfers and receives messages.

It, therefore, helps in coordinating and ​controlling​ the working of the

different parts of the body. The components of the cell are enclosed in
a membrane. This membrane provides shape to the cells of animals
and plants. There is a cell wall surrounding them. The cell wall is an
additional covering over the cell membrane in the plant cells. It offers
rigidity and shape to the cells.

Cell Size

The cell size is variable. In the living organisms, the cell size may be
as small as a millionth of a metre or may be as large as a few
centimetres. Usually, all the cells are microscopic in size and aren’t
visible to the naked eye. Thus, they need to be enlarged by a
microscope for seeing.

Question for You

Q. What is the smallest and the largest cell?

Ans. The smallest cell varies from 0.1 to 0.5 micrometre and is found
in ​bacteria​. On the other hand, the largest cell measures 170 mm × 130
mm and is the egg of an ostrich.