CELLS NOTES

Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of life. Cell was discovered by
Robert Hooke. A number of cells can work together to form tissues and organs.
Cellular respiration
Cellular respiration is the process by which the food releases energy in the
mitochondria. Cells absorb glucose from the food and burn it to produce energy.
Structural Organization of Cells
Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic cells
Two types of cell; Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are primitive and
lack well defined nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are more advanced and have well defined
nucleus.
Cell structure in Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cells have the most well defined structure. These cells have cell
membrane, membrane bound cell organelles and a well defined nucleus. The
nucleus has its own membrane called nuclear membrane.
Cell membrane

 Cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell.

 It is made up of phospho-lipid bilayer membrane.
 It is selectively permeable in nature.
 The structure of a cell membrane is best described by the fluid mosaic model.
Diffusion
The movement of molecules from a region of their high concentration to a region of
their lower concentration is known as diffusion.
Osmosis in selectively permeable membrane
Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. Osmosis is
a selective process since the membrane does not allow all molecules to pass through
it. Water is usually the only free flowing molecule across this membrane.
Isotonic, hypotonic Ans.s, hypertonic Ans.s

 Isotonic Ans.s are those which have the same solute and pH concentration as
the surrounding body fluid or the cytoplasm.
 Hypotonic Ans.s contain lesser amount of solute concentration compared to
the surrounding fluid and can force the cell to rupture due to excess input of
water into the cell.
 Hypertonic Ans.s contain higher concentration of solute compared to the
surrounding fluid and thus push water out of cell, shrinking it.
Cell walls in plants
Plant cells are different from animals cells due to the presence of a cell wall. The cell
wall is made of cellulose and gives a rigid structure to the plant cell.
Cell Organelles
Endocytosis

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Endocytosis is the invagination of cell membrane, followed by pinching off forming a
membrane bound vesicle. This is commonly seen in Amoeba.
Nucleus in cells
Nucleus is the processing unit of the cell. It is a double membrane bound organelle
which contains the genetic material for inheritance.
Chromosomes
During the growth phase of the cell, the chromatin condenses into a much thicker
structure called chromosome.
Chromatin
Chromatin is a thread like structure which serves as the genetic material present
inside the nucleus of the cell. It is made up of DNA and protein molecules. The DNA
contains the hereditary information needed for the structure and function of the
organism.
Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is the fluid found inside the cell. It gives the structure to the cell and
houses different organelles of the cell.
Organelles
Organelles are structures present in the cytoplasm of the cell that help in several
functions of the cell.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane like cell organelle that plays an integral role in
the interpretation of the genetic information present in the nucleus.
Rough ER
Rough ER are the ones that have ribosomes on it. The ribosome is made up of
nucleic acids and proteins. They are the site of protein synthesis. The Rough ER is
also involved in the modification and folding of protein.
Smooth ER
Smooth ER do not have ribosomes and thus are not involved in protein synthesis.
They are however, involved in the lipid metabolism and detoxifying poisonous
molecules.
Golgi Apparatus
Golgi Apparatus is also called the post office of the cell. They package and transport
the proteins across the cytoplasm.
Lysosomes
They are referred to as suicide bags of the cell as they contain potent enzymes that
can digest a cell. Lysosome also help in defense by attacking a foreign object.
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are also called power plant of the cell. They generate ATP via the
electron transport chain. They also have a DNA called mtDNA, which makes them
semi-autonomous organelle.
Plastids

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There are various types of plastids in different cells based on the pigment they
contain. The chloroplast is the plastid where the photosynthesis occurs. Some of the
other plastids are leucoplast and chromoplast.
Vacuoles
Vacuoles are large vesicles that hold water or air in them and give structural rigidity
to the cell. Vacuoles are common in plant cells. In animals the vacuoles are either
very small or absent.
Comparison between plant & animal cells
Plants cells are different from animals cells structurally. Plant cells have cell wall and
chloroplast which are missing in animals cells. Plants cells also have large vacuoles
which are either very small or missing in animal cells. The nucleus is present at the
center of the cell in animal cells and at the periphery in plant cells.

Questions and Answers

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3. How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell?
Discuss.
Ans.:
CO2 moves by diffusion – These cellular waste accumulates in high concentrations in
the cell, whereas the concentration of CO2 in the external surroundings is
comparatively lower. This difference in the concentration level inside and out of the
cell causes the CO2 to diffuse from a region of higher(within the cell) to a lower
concentration.
H2O diffuses by osmosis through the cell membrane. It moves from a region of higher
concentration to a lower concentrated region through a selectively permeable
membrane until equilibrium is reached.
4. Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane?
Ans.:
The plasma membrane is called as a selectively permeable membrane as it permits
the movement of only a certain molecules in and out of the cells. Not all molecules
are free to diffuse.

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1. Make a comparison and write down ways in which plant cells are
different from animal cells.
Ans.:

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 Parameters Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cell wall Present Absent

Shape of cell Distinct edges, shape is either Round and irregular shape
rectangular or square shaped.

Nucleus Present. Lies on one side of the cell Present. Lies in the center
of the cell

Lysosomes Rarely present Always present

Plastids Present Absent

Structure of Single or a few large vacuole that is Presence of numerous and

Vacuoles centrally located small vacuoles
2. How is prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?
Ans.:
The following are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

1. Size: Generally small (1-10 μm) 1. Size: Generally large (5-100

1 μm = 10-6m μm)
2. Nuclear region: well defined and
2. The nuclear region is not well defined as the girdled by a nuclear membrane.
nuclear membrane is absent and is referred to as
the nucleoid. 3. There are more than one
chromosomes.
3. There is a single chromosome.
4. Membrane-bound cell organelles
4. Membrane-bound cell organelles absent. present.
3. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down?
Ans.:
If plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down then molecules of some substances
will freely move in and out of the cells. As plasma membrane acts as a mechanical
barrier, exchange of material from its surroundings through osmosis or diffusion in a
cell won’t take place. Consequently, the cell would die due to the disappearance of
the protoplasmic material.
4. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no Golgi apparatus?
Ans.:
The Golgi apparatus consists of stacks of membrane-bound vesicles whose functions
are as follows:

 storage of substances
 packaging of substances
 manufacture of substances

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Without the golgi apparatus, the cells will be disabled from packing and dispatching
materials that were produced by the cells. The golgi apparatus is also involved in the
formation of cells. Hence, in the absence of golgi apparatus, cells will not be
produced.
5. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?
Ans.:
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell. It is because it releases the
energy required for different activities of life. Mitochondria releases energy in the
form of ATP(Adenosine triphosphate) molecules, essential for numerous chemical
activities of life. Hence ATP is often referred to as ‘energy currency of the cell’.
6. Where do the lipids and proteins constituting the cell membrane get
synthesised?
Ans.:
Lipids and proteins are synthesised in the ER [Endoplasmic Reticulum].
7.How does an Amoeba obtain its food?
Ans.:
Through the process of endocytosis, an Amoeba obtains its food. As its cell
membrane is flexible enough, food particles are engulfed forming a food vacuole
girdling it which is assisted by the pseudopodia. Amoeba secretes digestive enzymes
to bring about digestion of the engulfed particle once food is trapped.

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