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Cells and Its Function

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Dharani.R Raks Pallikkoodam
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27 views9 pages

Cells and Its Function

Uploaded by

Dharani.R Raks Pallikkoodam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CELLS

Introduction:

 Cell is the structural and functional unit of life.


 It is the building block of which all living organisms are made of and the smallest
unit of life capable of all the living functions.
 In 1665, Robert Hooke discovered the cell while examining thin sections of cork
under his simple microscope.

Cell types:
 On the basis of structure, cells are classified as Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
(i) Prokaryotic cell:
An organism that does not have well defined nucleus and membrane
bound organelles such as chloroplast; mitochondria are known to be prokaryotic
organism.
Eg:Bacteria – E.coli .

(ii) Eukaryotic cell:


An organism that have well defined nucleus and membrane bound
organelles are known as eukaryotic organism. Eg: Amoeba and paramecium

Structurally, the cell is formed of three parts:

1. Plasma membrane
2. Cytoplasm
3. Nucleus
1. Plasma membrane or cell membrane:

 Each cell is bounded by extremely delicate, thin, elastic, living membrane called
the cell membrane.
 It is a selectively - permeable membrane which allows the flow only some
substances into the cell and out of the cell.
 It encloses the two main components that are nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell
which constitute the ‘protoplasm’. It is also called as plasma membrane.

FUNCTION:

 It regulates the movement of molecules in and out of the cell.


 It provides mechanical barrier for the protection of the inner cell contents.
 It helps in maintaining the distinct chemical substances of the cell.

2. Cytoplasm:

 The protoplasm which surrounds the nucleus is called cytoplasm.


 It is formed of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and certain inorganic substances.
 The cytoplasm is more or less a transparent, colourless substance.
 Many small organelles are found inside the cytoplasm. These are known as
cytoplasmic organelles.
(* Protoplasm- nucleus and cytoplasm constitutes protoplasm.)

3. Nucleus:

 The nucleus is very important component of the cell.


 It is a dense, spherical or oval body found in the cytoplasm.
 It is surrounded by a double membrane called nuclear membrane with pores in it.
 Within the nuclear membrane is the fluid called the nucleoplasm or the
karyolymph.
 Inside the nucleus, mass of thread like structure called chromatin is present.
 During cell division chromatin condense into long thread called chromosomes.
 The chromosomes contain stretches of DNA called genes, which are the hereditary
units.

FUNCTION:
 It is the control centre of the cell for all activities.
 It transfers the hereditary characters from one generation to another.

 Nucleolus: It is a spheroidal organelle inside the nucleus.

FUNCTION:
 It plays an important role in cell division.
 It synthesizes RNA to constitute ribosomes..
CELL ORGANELLES:

 The cell organelles are living structures present in the cytoplasm. These are known
as cytoplasmic organelles.

a. Endoplasmic Reticulum:

 It is a membranous network of tube- like structures distributed throughout the


cytoplasm.
 Some of these are tubes are connected with nuclear membrane and some with
plasma membrane.
 They are made up of flattened sacs, tubules and vesicles.

 It is of two types:
 (i) Rough endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached on its surface for
synthesising proteins.
 (ii) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes on its surface.

FUNCTION:

 It helps in transporting materials inside the cell and also carries substances directly
to the nucleus.
 It forms a skeletal framework and avoids collapse of cells.

b. Mitochondria:

 Mitochondria are minute, rod shaped or thread like granular bodies found scattered
in the cytoplasm.
 They are bound by two membranes – outer and inner membrane.
 The outer membrane is smooth, while the inner membrane is thrown into number
of folds called cristae.
 The cristae secrete enzymes needed for oxidation of food.

FUNCTION:

 They are the sites of respiration.


 The complex molecules of sugar are oxidized and energy is released. This energy is
utilised
in the synthesis of a new compound known a ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).
 Hence, the mitochondria are considered to be the ‘power house of the cell’.

c. Golgi Apparatus (Golgi bodies):

 Golgi bodies are made up of a series of disc, vacuoles, vesicles and flattened
structure called cisternae.
 These together appear like a pile of inverted saucer shaped structures. The
whole structure is called Golgi complex.
 In plant cells they are called as dictyosomes.
FUNCTION:

 They store the proteins synthesized in the ribosomes.


 They help in the formation of lysosomes.
 Helps in secretion and cell plate formation during cell division.

d. Lysosomes:

 These sac – like, small, spherical, single membrane bound vesicles contain
enzymes.
 They are formed by the Golgi complex, function as intracellular digestive systems.
FUNCTION:

 They help in digesting large molecules.


 They work in defence against bacteria and viruses.
 When food is not present, lysosomes act on their own cellular organelles and digest
them.
 Hence lysosomes are called as suicidal bags.

e. Centrosome:

 The centrosome is a distinct region of the cytoplasm close to the nucleus of animal
cells.
 It has two central granules called centrioles.

FUNCTION:

 Centrioles move to the poles and form spindle fibres during cell division.
 They help in the formation of cilia and flagella.

f. Vacuoles:

 In animal cells, vacuoles are smaller in size and lesser in number.


 The vacuole is bounded by single membrane called as tonoplast.
 They store by- products of the cell and help to maintain the osmotic pressure in
cell.
 It acts as excretion organelle in protozoans.
FUNCTION:

 It maintains osmo regulation in the cell.


 They store various substances including waste products.

g. Ribosomes:

 These are small, round bodies found in the free state in the cytoplasm or attached
to the surface of endoplasmic reticulum.
 A ribosome has a smaller and larger subunit.

FUNCTION:

 They help in synthesis of proteins.

h. Cell wall:

 The plant cell is covered by a non-living rigid layer called the cell wall.
 It is the outer boundary of the cell which is composed of cellulose, lignin and
pectin.

FUNCTION:

 It provides support to the plant body.


 It protects the cell.
 Helps in maintaining osmotic pressure of the cell.
i. Plastids:

 Plastids are small specialized spherical bodies covered by a double


membrane, found only in plant cells.
 Plastid are classified on the basis of presence of absence of pigments present
in them as-
 (a) Leucoplasts or colourless plastids- eg: Roots of plants.
 (b) Chloroplasts or green coloured plastids which give green colour to the
leaves and stem of the plant.
 (c) Chromoplasts or colours plastids other than green. They are generally
yellow, red, orange or pink in colour – eg: Petals and fruits.

j. Chloroplast:

 Chloroplasts are discoid or spherical in shape.


 It is bounded by a double layered membrane.
 Stroma is a colourless matrix within which 40-60 chlorophyll bearing bodies
called grana are present.
 Each granum consists of flat discs called thylakoids and the grana are
interconnected by stroma lamellae (membrane).

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