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Cell

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16 views3 pages

Cell

this PDF contains the summary of the chapter

Uploaded by

crazycuber510
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Fundamental Unit

of Life - The Cell


1. Introduction to the Cell

 Definition: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
 All living organisms are made up of cells.
 It was first discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665 when he observed a thin slice of
cork under a microscope.

2. Cell Theory

 Proposed by Schleiden (1838) and Schwann (1839), later expanded by Rudolf


Virchow.
 Main Points of Cell Theory:
1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
2. The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

3. Types of Cells

 Prokaryotic Cells:
o Do not have a well-defined nucleus.
o Genetic material is not enclosed within a nuclear membrane.
o Examples: Bacteria, Blue-green algae.
 Eukaryotic Cells:
o Have a well-defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane.
o Contain membrane-bound organelles.
o Examples: Plant cells, Animal cells, Fungi, Protists.

4. Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Feature Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell


Not well-defined (no nuclear Well-defined with nuclear
Nucleus
membrane) membrane
Cell Size Small (1-10 µm) Larger (10-100 µm)
Organelle
Few, non-membrane-bound Many, membrane-bound
s
Examples Bacteria, Archaea Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists

5. Structure of a Cell

 Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane):


o Semi-permeable, flexible outer covering.
o Made up of a lipid bilayer with proteins embedded.
o Controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
 Cytoplasm:
oJelly-like substance inside the cell membrane.
oContains cell organelles.
 Nucleus:
o Control center of the cell, contains genetic material (DNA).
o Enclosed by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope.
o Contains nucleolus and chromatin.

6. Cell Organelles and Their Functions

Organelle Function
Mitochondria Powerhouse of the cell, produces energy (ATP)
Endoplasmic Transport network; Rough ER (with ribosomes) helps in protein
Reticulum (ER) synthesis; Smooth ER (without ribosomes) helps in lipid synthesis
Golgi Apparatus Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids
Lysosomes Contains digestive enzymes to break down waste
Ribosomes Site of protein synthesis
Chloroplasts (Plant
Contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis
Cells)
Vacuoles Storage sacs; large in plant cells, small in animal cells
Centrioles (Animal
Help in cell division
Cells)

7. Differences between Plant and Animal Cells

Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell


Present (made of
Cell Wall Absent
cellulose)
Chloroplas Present (for
Absent
ts photosynthesis)
Small or
Vacuole Large, central vacuole
absent
Irregular,
Shape Regular, rectangular
round
Centrioles Absent Present

8. Cell Division

 Mitosis:
o Occurs in somatic (body) cells.
o Results in two identical daughter cells.
 Meiosis:
o Occurs in germ cells (for sexual reproduction).
o Results in four non-identical daughter cells with half the chromosome
number.

9. Important Terms
 Unicellular Organisms: Organisms made up of a single cell (e.g., Amoeba,
Bacteria).
 Multicellular Organisms: Organisms made up of multiple cells (e.g., Humans,
Plants).
 Tissue: A group of cells with a similar structure and function.
 Organelle: Specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions.

10. Functions of the Cell

 Nutrition: Intake and utilization of nutrients.


 Respiration: Energy production.
 Excretion: Removal of waste products.
 Growth: Increase in cell size and number.
 Reproduction: Formation of new cells.

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