The Fundamental Unit Of Life: Cell

Definition: “A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life that is responsible
for all of life’s processes.”
Cells are the structural, functional, and biological units of all living beings. A cell can replicate
itself independently. Hence, they are known as the building blocks of life.
Each cell contains a fluid called the cytoplasm, which is enclosed by a membrane. Also present
in the cytoplasm are several biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Moreover,
cellular structures called cell organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm.
Cell was discovered by Robert Hooke. A number of cells can work together to form tissues and
organs.

Characteristics Of Cells:

• Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.

• The cell interior is organised into different individual organelles surrounded by a separate
membrane.
• The nucleus (major organelle) holds genetic information necessary for reproduction and
cell growth.
• Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm.
• Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly responsible for the energy
transactions vital for the survival of the cell.
• Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
• Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal organisation of the cell by
synthesising selective molecules and processing, directing and sorting them to their
appropriate locations.
Types Of Cells:Various types of cells perform different functions. Based on cellular structure,
there are two types of cells:

➢ Prokaryotes
➢ Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes Cells:

“Prokaryotic cells are the cells that do not have a true nucleus and membrane-
bound organelles.”
Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms known to be the earliest on earth. Prokaryotes
include Bacteria and Archaea. The photosynthetic prokaryotes include cyanobacteria that
perform photosynthesis.
A prokaryotic cell consists of a single membrane and therefore, all the reactions occur within the
cytoplasm. They can be free-living or parasites.

Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cell

Prokaryotic cells have different characteristic features. The characteristics of the prokaryotic
cells are mentioned below.
1. They lack a nuclear membrane.
 2. Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast, and lysosomes are absent.
3. The genetic material is present on a single chromosome.
4. The histone proteins, the important constituents of eukaryotic chromosomes, are lacking
in them.
5. The cell wall is made up of carbohydrates and amino acids.
6. The plasma membrane acts as the mitochondrial membrane carrying respiratory
enzymes.
7. They divide asexually by binary fission. The sexual mode of reproduction involves
conjugation.

Eukaryotes Cells:

“Eukaryotic cells are the cells that contain a membrane bound nucleus and
organelles.”
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus enclosed within the nuclear membrane and form large and
complex organisms. Protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals all have eukaryotic cells. They are
classified under the kingdom Eukaryota.
They can maintain different environments in a single cell that allows them to carry out various
metabolic reactions. This helps them grow many times larger than the prokaryotic cells.

Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells

The features of eukaryotic cells are as follows:
1. Eukaryotic cells have the nucleus enclosed within the nuclear membrane.
2. The cell has mitochondria.
3. Flagella and cilia are the locomotory organs in a eukaryotic cell.
4. A cell wall is the outermost layer of the eukaryotic cells.
5. The cells divide by a process called mitosis.
6. The eukaryotic cells contain a cytoskeletal structure.
7. The nucleus contains a single, linear DNA, which carries all the genetic information.

Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Type of Cell Always unicellular Unicellular and multi-cellular

Cell size Ranges in size from 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm in Size ranges from 10 μm – 100 μm in
diameter diameter

Cell wall Usually present; chemically complex in When present, chemically simple in
nature nature
 Nucleus Absent. Instead, they have a nucleoid Present
region in the cell

Ribosomes Present. Smaller in size and spherical in Present. Comparatively larger in size
shape and linear in shape

DNA arrangement Circular Linear

Mitochondria Absent Present

Cytoplasm Present, but cell organelles absent Present, cell organelles present

Endoplasmic Absent Present

reticulum

Plasmids Present Very rarely found in eukaryotes

Ribosome Small ribosomes Large ribosomes

Lysosome Lysosomes and centrosomes are absent Lysosomes and centrosomes are
present

Cell division Through binary fission Through mitosis

Flagella The flagella are smaller in size The flagella are larger in size

Reproduction Asexual Both asexual and sexual

Example Bacteria and Archaea Plant and Animal cell

Cell Structure
The cell structure comprises individual components with specific functions essential to carry out
life’s processes. These components include- cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and
cell organelles.

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane supports and protects the cell. It controls the movement of
substances in and out of the cells. It separates the cell from the external environment.
The cell membrane is present in all the cells.
 • The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell within which all other organelles, such
as the cytoplasm and nucleus, are enclosed. It is also referred to as the plasma
membrane.
• By structure, it is a porous membrane (with pores) which permit the movement of
selective substances in and out of the cell. Besides this, the cell membrane also protects
the cellular component from damage and leakage.
• It forms the wall-like structure between two cells as well as between the cell and its
surroundings.
• Plants are immobile, so their cell structures are well-adapted to protect them from
external factors. The cell wall helps to reinforce this function.

Cell Wall
• The cell wall is the most prominent part of the plant’s cell structure. It is made up of
cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin.
• The cell wall is present exclusively in plant cells. It protects the plasma membrane and
other cellular components. The cell wall is also the outermost layer of plant cells.
• It is a rigid and stiff structure surrounding the cell membrane.
• It provides shape and support to the cells and protects them from mechanical shocks
and injuries.

Cytoplasm

• The cytoplasm is a thick, clear, jelly-like substance present inside the cell membrane.
• Most of the chemical reactions within a cell take place in this cytoplasm.
• The cell organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, mitochondria, ribosomes,
are suspended in this cytoplasm.

Nucleus
• The nucleus contains the hereditary material of the cell, the DNA.
• It sends signals to the cells to grow, mature, divide and die.
• The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope that separates the DNA from the rest
of the cell.
• The nucleus protects the DNA and is an integral component of a plant’s cell structure.

Cell Organelles
Cells are composed of various cell organelles that perform certain specific functions to carry out
life’s processes. The different cell organelles, along with its principal functions, are as follows:
 Cell Organelle and its Functions

Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis. Also, it is involved in controlling cellular activities
and cellular reproduction

Nuclear membrane

The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus by forming a boundary between the nucleus and
other cell organelles.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes play a crucial role in determining the sex of an individual. Each human cells contain
23 pairs of chromosomes

Endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the transportation of substances throughout the cell. It
plays a primary role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, synthesis of lipids, steroids and proteins.

Golgi Bodies

Golgi bodies are called the cell’s post office as it is involved in the transportation of materials
within the cell

Ribosome

Ribosomes are the protein synthesisers of the cell

Mitochondria

The mitochondrion is called “the powerhouse of the cell.” It is called so because it produces ATP
– the cell’s energy currency

Lysosomes

Lysosomes protect the cell by engulfing the foreign bodies entering the cell and helps in cell
renewal. Therefore, it is known as the cell’s suicide bags
 Chloroplast

Chloroplasts are the primary organelles for photosynthesis. It contains the pigment chlorophyll

Vacuoles

Vacuoles stores food, water, and other waste materials in the cell

Cell Theory
Cell Theory was proposed by the German scientists, Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and
Rudolf Virchow. The cell theory states that:

• All living species on Earth are composed of cells.

• A cell is the basic unit of life.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
A modern version of the cell theory was eventually formulated, and it contains the following
postulates:

• Energy flows within the cells.

• Genetic information is passed on from one cell to the other.
• The chemical composition of all the cells is the same.