CHAPTER 8- CELL : UNIT OF LIFE
Structure Function
Glycocalyx Differs in composition and thickness among different bacteria.
a. It could be a loose sheath called the slime layer in some,
b. while in others it may be thick and tough, called the capsule.
The cell wall It determines the shape of the cell and provides a strong structural
support to prevent the bacterium from bursting or collapsing.
All prokaryotes have a cell wall surrounding the cell membrane
except in mycoplasma.
The plasma is selectively permeable in nature and interacts with the outside
membrane world. This membrane is similar structurally to that of the eukaryotes.
A special which is formed by the extensions or infoldings of plasma membrane
membranous into the cell. These extensions are in the form of vesicles, tubules
structure is the and lamellae. They help in :
mesosome cell wall formation,
DNA replication and distribution to daughter cells
in respiration, secretion processes,
to increase the surface area of the plasma membrane and
enzymatic content.
chromatophores In some prokaryotes like cyanobacteria, there are other membranous
which contain extensions into the cytoplasm
pigments
flagella Bacterial cells may be motile or non-motile. If motile, they have thin
filamentous extensions from their cell wall called flagella. Bacteria
show a range in the number and arrangement of flagella. Bacterial
flagellum is composed of three parts – filament, hook and basal
body. The filament is the longest portion and extends from the cell
surface to the outside. Besides flagella, Pili and Fimbriae are also
surface structures of the bacteria but do not play a role in motility.
The pili are elongated tubular structures made of a special protein.They help
in conjugation.
The fimbriae are small bristle like fibres sprouting out of the cell. In some bacteria,
they are known to help attach the bacteria to rocks in streams and
also to the host tissues.
Cytoplasm The fluid matrix filling the cell
Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell
Nucleus They lack a membrane Inside each cell is a dense
bound nucleus. membrane bound structure
The genetic material is called nucleus. This nucleus
basically naked, not contains the chromosomes
enveloped by a nuclear which in turn contain the genetic
membrane. material, DNA.
Membrane bound Absent like the endoplasmic reticulum
distinct structures (ER), the golgi complex,
called organelles lysosomes, mitochondria,
microbodies and vacuoles are
present
Ribosomes in 70S 80S
cytoplasm
Mesosomes Present Absent
Size and Multiplication generally smaller and generally bigger and multiply
multiply more rapidly more slowly
Kingdom Monera Protista, Fungi, Plantae,
Animalia
Animal cell Plant cell
Cell normally studied Human cheek cell Onion peel cell
Delimiting structure Is Cell membrane. Distinct cell wall ,
of the cell. Cell wall is absent. External to the cell membrane.
Centrosome Present Absent
Plastids Absent Present
Vacuole Small and peripheral Single large and centrally placed
Nucleus position Centrally placed Eccentric
CELL WALL
ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM
Cytoskeleton
An elaborate network of filamentous proteinaceous structures consisting of
microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments present in the cytoplasm
is collectively referred to as the cytoskeleton.
The cytoskeleton in a cell are involved in many functions such as mechanical
support, motility, maintenance of the shape of the cell.
It contain three main kinds of cytoskeletal filaments:
Microfilaments diameter of 6 nm
-actin filaments
Microtubules lumen diameter of approximately 15 nm).
They are commonly organized by the centrosome.
Intermediate These filaments, averaging 10 nanometers in diameter,
filaments are more stable (strongly bound) than microfilaments,
and heterogeneous constituents of the cytoskeleton.
Cilia and Flagella
Based on the position of the centromere, the chromosomes can be classified into four
types:
Microbodies
Many membrane bound minute vesicles called microbodies that contain various enzymes,
are present in both plant and animal cells.
a. A peroxisome is a type of microbody that functions to help
the body break down large molecules and detoxify hazardous substances.
It contains enzymes like oxidase, catalase and peroxidase.
In plant cells it helps in photorespiration.
Discovered and named by C.de Duve
b. Glyoxysomes are found in plants and mould, which help to convert stored lipids
into carbohydrates so they can be used for plant growth.
c. Spherosomes help in synthesis and storage of lipids.
Classification of organelles based on the number of membranes:
Without membrane Organelles bounded by Organelles bounded by
1 membrane 2 membranes
Ribosome, Vacuole, Mitochondria,
nucleolus, lysosome, Chloroplast and
cilia, golgi apparatus, Nucleus
flagella, ER
centrioles,
basal bodies,
cytoskeletal elements
