CELLS

BASIC UNITS OF LIFE

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INTRODUCTION
The structural and functional unit of life is a cell. They are also called the building blocks of life
or basic/smallest units of life that can replicate independently. By structural, it is meant that
they are arranged in an orderly manner and they combine together to make different structures
of the body. By functional it means that they are the smallest living being that can survive and
function on its own.

Classification of cells:

Cells are classified on the basis of the following:

1) Based on organelles: Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic

2) Mode of organistaion: uniclellular or multicellular
3) Shape and size
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Prokaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells

Absence of membrane-bound organelles Presence of membrane-bound* organelles

Pro(before)= Primitive Membrane bound*= Enclosed by a

membrane separating their content from the
cytoplasm

Karyon=kernel (nucleus) Eu=True

Lack nucleus(which contains genetic info) Well-defined nucleus= contains chromatin

fibres (chromosomes)

Have nucleoid in direct contact with Complex structure:They tend to be larger and
cytoplasm. Nucleoid is their genetic material more structurally complex.

E.g. bacteria and archaea (performs all the Cellular Communication: Communicatw with
tasks by itself) eachother through complex signaling
pathways

Cell Structure

Name of the part Description Where found Function

Cell membrane Partially permeable Around the Controls what

membrane; forms a cytoplasm substances enter and
boundary around the leave the cell; doesn’t
cytoplasm-made up let content escape
of proteins and lipids

Cytoplasm Jelly like substance Enclosed by the cell 1. Contains the

enclosed with membrane subcellular structures
particles and or organelles
organelles in it 2. Site of chemical
reactions

Nucleus Circular or oval Found inside the Contains genetic

shaped; have a cytoplasm of a cell material; controlling
double-layered unit for every
membrane called organelle with the
nuclear membrane help of proteins;
covering it genes present in the
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nucleus code for

specific proteins

Mitochondria Circular, oval or disc Found inside the Produces molecules

shaped; is a double cytoplasm which are useful
membraned forms of energy/ATP
organelle

Ribosomes Small, circular Inside the cytoplasm; Site of protein

structures attached sometimes stuck in synthesis in the cell
to the membrane or endoplasmic
lying freely reticulum

Cell wall (in P.C only) A tough, non-living Around the outside 1.Prevents from
layer made of of plant cells bursting
cellulose- surrounds 2. Provides support
the cell membrane 3. Freely permeable

Vacuole (in P.C only) A fluid-filled space Inside the cytoplasm 1. Contains salts and
surrounded by a of plant cells sugars
membrane; occopy a 2. Maintain turgor
significant portion of pressure and regulate
cell’s volume pH within the cell
3. contribute to the
rigidity and structure
of the plant by
exerting pressure
against the cell wall
(one of the effects of
turgor pressure)

Chloroplast (in P.C A type of plastid, an Inside the cytoplasm Traps light energy for
only) organelle containing of some plant cells photosynthesis
chlorophyll , It means it is not
Are double present in other
membraned plant cells like root
tissues or stem
tissues because not
all parts of plant
perform
photosynthesis
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Specialised Cells

● Cells in living organisms with specific functions.

● Adapted to carry out particular tasks efficiently
● Differentiated to perform unique roles in the body
● Develop a distinct shape
● Several chemical changes take place in their cytoplasm

Types of Specialised Cells

1. Ciliated Cells
● Present in linings of nose and trachea
● Have hair like-structures called cilia on their surface
● Common in the respiratory tract to move mucus and trapped particles.
● Also found in fallopian tubes to help move eggs
● Essential for processes like cleaning, protection, and movement within the body.

2. Root Hair cells

● Specialized cells in plant roots.
● Have elongated projections called root hairs.
● Found in the root's outermost layer (epidermis).
● Function to increase surface area for water and nutrient absorption.
● Absorb water, minerals, and salts

4. Palisade Mesophyll Cells

● Found in leaf's upper part, under upper epidermis
● Elongated and closely packed
● High chloroplast concentration for photosynthesis; have 20-30 chloroplasts in each cell
● Absorb sunlight and convert it to energy (glucose).
● Play a major role in producing plant's food

Note: Palisade mesophyll cells are a type of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts are their
organelles.
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5. Nerve Cells
● Specialized cells in the nervous system.
● Transmit(Conduct/send) electrical signals (nerve impulses).
● Consist of cell body, dendrites, and axon.
● Dendrites receive signals from other cells.
● Axon transmits signals to other neurons or target cells.
● Essential for communication in the nervous system.
● Are long and connect the distant parts

6. Red Blood Cells

● Part of blood, carry oxygen.
● Small, disc-shaped cells.
● No nucleus, more room for oxygen.
● Contain hemoglobin for oxygen binding.
● Transport oxygen from lungs to body cells.
● Help remove carbon dioxide from cells.
● Essential for oxygen exchange and the body's energy supply.
● Lifespan of about 120 days.
● Produced in bone marrow.
● Most numerous type of blood cell.
● Millions present in a single drop of blood.
● Biconcave shape increases surface area for gas exchange.
● Red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels are indicators of overall health.
● Anemia is a condition where RBC count or hemoglobin is lower than normal.

7. Sperm Cells (spermatozoon):

● Male reproductive cells (gametes).
● Small and streamlined.
● Tail (flagellum) for movement.
● Head contains nucleus and genetic material.
● Acrosome at the head's tip helps penetrate egg. Contains enzymes to digest the egg
membrane
● Essential for fertilization, combining with egg for reproduction.
● Midpiece contains mitochondria for energy.

8. Egg Cells (Ova):

● Female reproductive cells (gametes).
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● Larger than sperm cells.

● Rounded shape with nutrient-rich cytoplasm; yolk droplets are present in cytoplasm.
● Nucleus holds genetic material.
● Surrounded by protective layers.
● Crucial for fertilization, combining with sperm for reproduction.
● Surrounded by protective layers: zona pellucida and corona radiata.
● Stationary and non-motile; doesn't have a tail like sperm cells.

Bacterial Cell

Name of the part Description Where found Function

Cytoplasm Jelly like substance, Surrounded by the Contains cell

contains particles cell membrane strucutues/organelles
and organelles

Cell Membrane Partially permeable Around the Prevents cell

layer that surrounds cytoplasm contents from
the cytoplasm escaping- controls
what enters and leave
the cell

Circular DNA Strand of DNA, a Inside the cytoplasm; Controls cell division,
single circular not bounded with a cell development and
chromosome- no membrane cell activities; has the
membrane genetic material-
separating nucleoid single DNA molecule

Plasmids Small, circular pieces Inside the cytoplasm Extra genes

of DNA (antibiotic
resistance), survival
and reproduction of
the bacterium

Ribosomes Small, circular Inside the cytoplasm Protein synthesis

structures

Cell Wall A tough, non living The outermost layer Prevents cell from
layer, consists of of the bacterial cell, bursting, allows salts
peptidoglycan which surrounds cell and water to pass
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is a rigid, highly membrane. through (freely

conserved, complex permeable)
structure of provides structural
polymeric support and
carbohydrates and protection, helping
amino acids. maintain the shape
In simple words, and integrity of the
made up of lipids, cell
proteins and sugars