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Cell structure and functions class 8 notes

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Cell structure and functions class 8 notes

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prabhar081
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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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Cell structure and functions

Cells:
o The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of
life. All living organisms are made up of cells. Cells
make tissues, tissues make organs, organs make
organ systems and organ systems make a living
organism. Thus, the cell is the building block, or the
structural unit of the living body.
o Cells were discovered for the first time by Robert
Hooke in 1665. He observed a piece of cork under his
microscope. He saw that the cork was made up of
many small boxes. He called these little boxes cells.
These box-like structures were actually dead cells.
o Living cells were observed by Anton Von
Leeuwenhoek for the first time using improved
microscopes.
Cell Theory
Later in 1838, Mathias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
put forward the cell theory of life.
According to this theory:
o All living organisms are made up of cells.
o New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
o All cells are similar in structure and function but are
not identical.
o The function of an organism depends on the way the
cells work or the functions they perform.

Shapes and sizes


o Depending on their function, the cells show a
variation in their shapes and sizes.
o They may be oval, spindle-shaped, spherical etc.
o Sizes of cells are measured in micrometer or microns.
(1 micrometer = 1 10-6m)
o Most cells range in size from 5 micrometer to 15
micrometer.
o Bacterial cells are the smallest cells.
o The longest cells in our body are the nerve cells.
o The egg of ostrich is the largest cell- it is a single cell.
Cell Number
According to the number of cells, organisms are broadly
classified into two groups- unicellular and multicellular.

Unicellular: Organisms made up of a single cell are called


unicellular organisms. The single cell performs all the
functions needed for sustaining life- growth, movement,
digestion. Amoeba, Paramecium and bacteria are
examples of unicellular organisms.

Multicellular: Organisms made up of many cells are called


multicellular organisms. The cells of such organisms
usually perform specialized functions. Most plants and
animals are examples of multicellular organisms.

Structure of a cell
The basic components of cell are cytoplasm, cell
membrane, nucleus and organelles.

Cell membrane

o The thin outer layer of the cell is called the cell


membrane or the plasma membrane.
o It separates the cell and its contents from the
surroundings.
o It protects the inner cell contents.
o It protects the cell and gives it a shape.
o It is selectively permeable and allows water, minerals
and other necessary substances to pass through it.
o It controls what passes in and out of the cell

Cell Wall

o Cell wall is present only in plant cells.


o It is an additional wall outside the cell membrane.
o It is thick wall made up of cellulose.
o The cell wall gives shape to the plant cell, offer
protection and provide rigidity to the cell.
o The cell wall is important for plants since they do not
have a skeleton for support and protection, nor they
can move to escape environmental stress.

cytoplasm
o The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that makes up
most of the inside of the cell.
o The cytoplasm has the nucleus and various other
cellular components within it.
o These components are called cell organelles.

Nucleus

o The nucleus is a spherical body present inside the


cell. It is the control centre of the cell.
o The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear membrane
and the liquid present inside is called nucleoplasm.
o The nucleus and the cytoplasm together make up the
protoplasm.
o A smaller spherical structure present inside the
nucleus, called Nucleolus plays an important role in
protein synthesis.
o The nucleus also has a thread-like network called
chromatin.
o The chromatin organizes itself into rod-like structures
when the cell has to divide. These rod-like structures
are called chromosomes. They contain the DNA
inside them. DNA has the genes that help in transfer
of characteristics from parent to the offspring.
Therefore, DNA forms the hereditary material in most
organisms.
o Note: The nucleus and cytoplasm together make up
the protoplasm.

Cell Organelles:

Organelles are small structures scattered in the cytoplasm


that work together to carry out life processes.
There are various types of cell organelles that perform
different functions. Some of these are as follows:
MITOCHONDRIA:

Mitochondria are small rod-like structures. They provide


energy in the form of ATP. Therefore, they are known as
powerhouse of the cell.

RIBOSOMES:

Ribosomes are tiny structure found either attached to the


surface of endoplasmic reticulum or scattered in the
cytoplasm. Ribosomes are associated with protein
synthesis.

PLASTIDS:

Plastids are disc-shaped structures present only in plant


cells. They can be of three types-chloroplasts,
chromoplasts and leucoplasts.

GOLGI BODIES:

The cytoplasm contains a large number of membranous


sacs- like structures called Golgi bodies. They are
concerned with secreting useful substances such as
enzymes and hormones.

VACUOLES:

Vacuoles are sac-like structures in the cell. In mature plant


cells, they occupy most of the space within the cell and
help to store food, water and wastes. In animal cells,
vacuoles are smaller and may be greater in number. They
help in waste removal and digestion.

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM:

The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranous


tubes that connect the cell membrane with the nuclear
membrane. The endoplasmic reticulum helps to transport
substances in and out of cells.
CENTRIOLES AND CENTROSOMES:

The centrioles and centrosomes play an important role in


cell division. They are present only in animal cells and are
absent in plant cells.

LYSOSOMES:

Lysosomes are called as suicidal bags. They are small


rounded sacs filled with tissue dissolving enzymes. They
help in the digestion of foreign bodies and worn out cell
parts.

Cell Division:
A cell is very small when it is formed. On receiving
nutrition, it grows and reaches a certain size after which it
divides to form two cells. This process is known as cell
division, and the cells formed are known as daughter cells.
Cell division is also necessary for replacement of dead
cells. Million of cells are die and replaced every second in
our body.

Comparison Between Animal And


Plant Cells:

S.N
Animal Cell Plant Cell
o
1 Smaller in size larger in size
Cell membrane is present both cell membrane and
2
but Cell wall is absent cell wall are present
plastids are usually
3 plastids are absent
present
Vacuoles are smaller and One large vacuole is
4
more in number present in the cell
Centrioles, centrosomes Centrioles, centrosomes
5
and lysosomes are present and lysosomes are absent

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