Fundamental Unit of Life

Cell is the fundamental unit of Life

History of Cell

First discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665.

Robert Brown discovered nucleus in 1831

Purkinje coined the term ‘protoplasm’ (also called cytoplasm) in 1839 for the fluid
substance in the cell

Cell Theory was given by Schleiden (1838) and Schwann(1839) which states that :

- All living organisms are composed of one or more cells

- Cell is the basic unit of structure of organisms

The cell theory was extended by Virchow (1855) which was :

- Cells arise from pre-existing cells

Classification of cell

Terms

Prokaryotic cells
Cells that do not have true nucleus or membrane bound organelles. Prokaryotic means
‘primitive nucleus’

- They are unicellular

- Organelles such as ER, Golgi Bodies, Mitochondria, Plastids, Lysosomes absent
- Does not have a nucleus membrane
- DNA and ribosomes exist free in the cytoplasm

Capsule : Outer protective covering found in the bacterial cells, in addition to the cell wall.
It helps in moisture retention, protects the cell when engulfed, and helps in the
attachment of cells to nutrients and surfaces.

Cell Wall : Outermost layer of the cell which gives shape to the cell.

Cytoplasm : Composed of enzymes, salts, cell organelles and is a gel-like component.

Cell Membrane : Layer surrounding the cytoplasm which regulates the entry and exit of
substances in the cells.

Pili : Hair-like outgrowths that attach to the surface of other bacterial cells.

Flagella : Long structures in the form of a whip, that help in the locomotion of a cell.

Ribosomes : Involved in protein synthesis.

Nucleoid Region : It is the region in the cytoplasm where the genetic material is present.

Eukaryotic cells
Cells that contain membrane bound nucleus and organelles. Eukaryotic means ‘new
nucleus’.

PLANT CELL

Cell Wall : Non living component of cell covering the outermost layer of the cell. Both
prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain cell wall but of different chemical composition. It is a
semi-permeable membrane that allows molecules to pass in and out of the cell.

- Provides shape, strength and rigidity to the cell

- Protection of the cell from mechanical stress and physical damage
- Prevents cell bursting in hypotonic solutions

Plastids : Double membraned organelle present in plants and algae. Based on the
pigment present, Plastids are classified as Chromoplast (provides colours to flowers or
plants), Chloroplast (contains chlorophyll which is used for photosynthesis), Leucoplasts
(colourless plastids found in parts that do not require photosynthesis) etc.
 - Responsible for manufacturing and storing food
- They have their own DNA and Ribosomes.

Vacuoles : Membrane bound organelle containing liquid called cell sap and other
substances.

- Stores salt, proteins, minerals etc within the cell

- Provides shape to the plant cell by exerting pressure on the walls (as it covers
upto 50% to 90% of the cell

ANIMAL CELL

Cell Membrane /Plasma Membrane : Selectively permeable thin bi-lipid membrane

containing the cytoplasm and organelles. It is composed of lipids and proteins.

- Selectively permeable as it allows only selective molecules in and out of the cell
- Water pass through the membrane using osmosis and gases through diffusion

Cytoplasm : Jelly like fluid that fills up the cell in which all the organelles are suspended.
 - Composed of salt and water
- Provides shape to the cell

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) : It is a complex network of tubular membranes present in

eukaryotic cells. The membranes are connected to the nuclear membrane.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

As per the name, the surface is rough As per the name, the surface is smooth

It has ribosomes studded on its surface It does not have Ribosomes on surface

Formed of cisternae and a few tubules Formed of vesicles and few tubules

Participates in synthesis of proteins and Participates in synthesis of lipids,

enzymes glycogen, steroids

- Provides surface to biochemical activities

in the cell

Golgi Body/
Golgi Apparatus : Organelle that is formed from stacks of membrane bound sacs. The
membrane covered sacs are called cisternae. They are often connected to the
membranes of ER.

- Named after scientist Camillo Gorgi who founded the organelle

- The membranes have connection with membranes of ER.
- Material synthesized by ER is stored, modified, packed and dispatched inside and
outside the cell
- Complex sugars made from Simple Sugars
- Involved in the formation of lysosomes

Lysosome : Sphere shaped membrane bound sacs filled with enzymes that have the
capability to digest any biochemical.

- It is the waste disposal system of the cell

- Digests any foreign material (eg bacteria) or worn out organelles
- The digestive enzymes present are synthesized by RER
- Called suicide bags of the cell since they burst and digest the complete cell when
the cell gets damaged.

Ribosomes : Organelle made of rRNA (ribosomal Ribo Nucleic Acid) which is responsible
for protein synthesis. This protein is used by other parts of the cell for cell repair or other
chemical activities.

Mitochondria : Membrane bound organelle that is responsible for producing ATP (

Adenosine TriPhosphate) . ATP is also called the energy currency of the cell.

- It is also called the “Powerhouse of the cell”

- Energy required for various activities of the cell is provided by Mitochondria in
terms of ATP molecules.
- They have their own DNA and Ribosomes.
Nucleus : Double membraned cell organelle representing “kernel” of the cell. Nucleus is
bound by nuclear membrane and contains fluid like substance called nucleoplasm.

- Contains the cell's hereditary information in DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid).

- Contains nucleolus which is responsible for producing Ribosomes
Difference between Plant and Animal Cell

Animal Cell Plant Cell

Smaller than Plant cells ie of size 10-30 10-100 micrometer in length

micrometers

Cell wall not present Cell wall present

Contains multiple small vacuoles One large central vacuole that takes upto
90% space of the cell

Present in the center of the cell Pushed to side by large vacuole

Centrioles present (which are useful in cell Centrioles not present

division process)

Plastids not present Plastids present

Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

Unicellular Unicellular or Multicellular

Size of 0.2 - 2 micrometers Size of 10 - 100 micrometers

No well defined nucleus which is called a Well defined nucleus

nucleoid.

Circular DNA present in cytoplasm Linear DNA present in organelles

Does not contain membrane bound Contains membrane bound organelles

organelles such as Mitochondria, ES, Golgi Bodies,
Lysosomes etc

Eg Bacteria Eg Plants, Animals, Algae

ASSIGNMENT

QUESTION 1 : Who discovered the cells and how?

ANSWER 1 : Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665 while examining a cork through a
self-designed microscope. He observed that it is made up of numerous small compartments
which he referred to as cells. Cell is a Latin word for ‘little rooms’.

QUESTION 2 : Why is the cell called the structural and fundamental unit of life?

ANSWER 2 : A living body is made of an organ system consisting of organs which are made up
of tissues. Tissues are in turn made up of cells which are the basic unit of the structure. They
perform fundamental functions and life processes such as digestion, respiration, excretion
etc independently. Hence cells are referred to as structural and fundamental unit of life.

QUESTION 3 : How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell?

ANSWER 3 : CO2 moves by diffusion. CO2 accumulates in high concentration inside the cell
which is produced as a result of the chemical activities in the cell. However, it has low
concentration outside of the cell. Therefore, CO2 moves from inside the cell (area with high
concentration) to outside of the cell (area with low concentration)

Water moves by osmosis through the cell membrane. It moves from high concentration to
low concentration.

QUESTION 4 : Why is the plasma membrane called the selectively permeable

membrane?

ANSWER 4: The plasma membrane is called the selectively permeable membrane because it
permits the movement of selective molecules through it. All molecules are not free to diffuse
inside or outside of the cell.

QUESTION 5: Which Organelles have their own genetic material?

ANSWER 5 : Mitochondria and Plastids

QUESTION 6 : If organisation of the cell is destroyed, what will happen?

ANSWER 6 : In case the cell gets damaged or stops functioning, the lysosomes burst and the
enzymes digest the complete cell. Therefore, the lysosomes are also called as the ‘suicide
bags of the cell’.

QUESTION 7 : Where are proteins synthesized inside the cell?

ANSWER 7 : Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins inside the cell.

QUESTION 8 : What will happen if plasma membrane ruptures?

ANSWER 8 : If the plasma membrane ruptures, there is no selectively movement of

molecules. All the molecules can move inside or outside of the cell and hence the cell may
disappear due to the loss of protoplasmic material.

QUESTION 9 : What will happen to the cell in absence of Golgi Apparatus?

ANSWER 9 : Golgi Bodies are responsible for storage, packaging and dispatching of
substances within the cell. Therefore, in absence of Golgi apparatus, other parts of the cell
would not get the material produced by the ER.
QUESTION 10 : Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell?

ANSWER 10 : Mitochondria is known as the powerhouse of the cell because it releases the
energy required for different activities of life. It releases energy in the form of ATP which is
also known as energy currency of the cell.

QUESTION 11 : Where do lipids and proteins get synthesized?

ANSWER 11 : Lipids and Proteins constitute the cell membrane and they are synthesized by
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

QUESTION 12 : How Amoeba obtains its food?

ANSWER 12 : Amoeba are the unicellular microorganisms that obtain food through the
process of endocytosis.

QUESTION 13 : What is osmosis ?

ANSWER 13 : The process of

movement of water molecules from a
region of high concentration to a region of low concentration through a semipermeable
membrane.