Cell-The Unit of Life

Every living organism is made up of one or more cells. Cell is known as the fundamental
structural and functional unit of all living organisms. The prokaryotic cells differ from
eukaryotic cells in many aspects; especially, the absence of true nucleus and membrane
bound organelles. Cellular organelles are dedicated for carrying various functions of the
cell accordingly they have specialised structures and composition.

Cell Theory
A “cell theory” was formulated by Schleiden and Schwann, it stated that:
• “All living organisms are composed of cells and products of cells”.
• “All cells arise from pre-existing cells” (Omnis cellula-e cellula).

Cells found in different organisms show great variations in size, shape and appearance.
• Mycoplasmas represent the smallest cells
• An ostrich egg represents the largest isolated single cell
• Nerve cells are the longest cells of human.

Types of Cells:
Cells are broadly classified into two types namely, prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Characteristics Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell
Nucleus false, no membrane true, membrane-bound
Organelles absent membrane-bound
Size of cell generally small generally large
Centrioles absent present in animal cells
Nucleolus absent present
DNA usually, circular usually, linear
Histone proteins absent present in nucleus
RNA polymerase one three types
Ribosome 70 S (30S + 50S) 80 S (40S + 60S)
Chromosome single more than one
Introns absent present in genes
Cytoskeleton absent present
Meiosis absent present
Inclusions bodies present absent
Mesosome present absent

Prokaryotic cell
• Prokaryotes - unicellular organisms
• Cells of bacteria, blue-green algae, pleuro-pneumonia like organisms (PPLO) and
mycoplasma

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• Differ in size and shape. Most common shapes of bacteria are bacillus (rod-shaped),
coccus (spherical), vibrio (comma shaped) and spirillum (spiral shaped).
• All prokaryotes have cell wall except mycoplasma. Genetic material is not
surrounded by nuclear envelope.
• Genomic DNA (circular) and plasmid DNA (extra chromosomal) present.

Cell envelope and its modifications:

The prokaryotic cell is covered by triple layered structure called cell envelope.
• Outer - Glycocalyx- can be loose sheath in some bacteria called slime layer, while in
some bacteria, it is thick and tough called capsule.
• Middle - Cell wall
• Inner - Plasma membrane
Based on the composition of cell wall, bacteria is divided into two types
• Gram positive - Those that take up Gram stain due to absence of capsule
• Gram negative - Those that do not take up Gram stain due to presence of capsule

S. No Components Functions
1. Cell wall Gives shape to the bacteria
Protect bacteria from collapse
2. Plasma membrane Semi-permeable, interact with outside environment
3. Cytoplasm Jelly-like layer where organelles are embedded
4. Nucleus Float freely in cytoplasm, contains genetic material
5. Mesosomes Formed by plasma membrane extensions, helps in formation of
cell wall and DNA replication
6. Ribosomes Site for protein synthesis.
20nm in size. 50+30S subunits form 70S subunits.
7. Polysomes Formed by attachment of single mRNA and ribosomes
8. Inclusion bodies Site for storage of reserve material, lies freely in cytoplasm
E.g.: Gas vacuoles of photosynthetic bacteria, phosphate
granules, Cyanophycean granules and Glycogen granules.

Motility of prokaryotes:
• Motile or non-motile
• Motility is facilitated by certain structures called flagella.
• Flagella - thin, membranous extension from cell wall- has filament, hook and basal
body
• Pili - tubular structure made up of protein
• Fimbriae - Bristle like structure emerging out of the cell.

Eukaryotic cell
• Eukaryotes are the multicellular organisms
• Cells of protists, fungi, animals and plants
• Each of these cells have different organisation. For example, plant cells possess cell
wall, while animal cells lack cell wall.
• Genetic material is organised into chromosomes. Further, they have complex
cytoskeletal structures.

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Cell wall
• Outermost covering of the cells. Provides shape to the cell and protect from
infection and mechanical damage
• Present in some protists, plants and fungi
• Cell wall of algae is made up of cellulose, galactans, mannans and minerals
• Plant cell wall is made of cellulose, hemi-cellulose
• Young plants contain “primary wall” which can grow. As the plant matures,
“secondary wall” develops on the inner side of the cell. “Middle lamella” is a layer
that holds neighbouring cells together. It is made up calcium pectate.

Cell membrane
• Made up of lipids and proteins by forming protein - lipid - lipid - protein structure.
• Phospholipids arranged in bilayer. Lipids have hydrophilic heads on the outer side
and hydrophobic tails towards the inner side. Also contains cholesterol.
• Human erythrocyte cells contain 52% proteins and 40% lipids.
• Widely accepted structure of plasma membrane is fluid mosaic model (Singer and
Nicolson, 1972)
• Two types of proteins present in the cell membrane – peripheral (Loosely attached)
and integral (tightly bound) to the plasma membrane
• Important function of membrane is transportation of molecules across the
membrane
• Osmosis – Movement of water from high concentration to low concentration
through semi permeable membrane
• Diffusion – Passive (no external energy required) and active diffusion – energy
dependent transport (through ATP, E.g.: Na+/K+ pump).

Figure: fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane

S. No Components Structure Functions

1. Endoplasmic Tiny tubular structure in SER – ribosomes not attached, lipid synthesis.
reticulum cytoplasm RER – ribosomes attached, protein synthesis

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2. Golgi Flat, disc shaped sacs or Helps in packing of materials

apparatus cisternae Site for glycoprotein and glycolipid synthesis

3. Lysosomes Membrane bound vesicular Digestion of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins

structures by hydrolytic enzymes
4. Vacuoles Tonoplast bound space in Plants – transport of ion by tonoplast
cytoplasm bound by Amoeba – osmoregulation and excretion

5. Mitochondria Cylindrical or Sausage shaped Site for cellular respiration

Have cristae and matrix Power house of the cell

6. Plastids Present in green plants and Consists of chloroplasts (green),

euglenoids chromoplasts (various colours) and
leucoplasts (colourless)
7. Chloroplasts Double membrane bound Inner membrane + Stroma
with inner membrane being Chlorophyll is present in a pile of structure
less permeable called thylakoids.
8. Ribosomes Granular structure composed Site for protein synthesis
of RNA and proteins 60 and 40S subunits forming 80S units
9. Cytoskeleton Filamentous, proteinaceous Helps in motility and provide mechanical
structures strength
10. Cilia and Special parts of the cell Contains a core called axoneme, helps in
Flagella movement of cell
11. Centrosomes Contains two cylindrical Produced basal body for cilia and flagella
centrioles
12. Nucleus Discovered by Robert Brown Contains nucleoprotein fibres called
in 1831. Chromatin, nuclear matrix (nucleoplasm) and
Surrounded by nuclear nucleoli.
membrane Perinuclear space present between outer and
inner layer of the nucleus.
Nucleoplasm present inside the nucleus
where chromatin and chromosomes, the
basis of inheritance present
13. Chromosome Present inside the nucleus Responsible for inheritance.
consists of primary Based on location of centromere, four types
centromere and disc shaped of chromosomes such as metacentric
kinetochore, secondary (centromere at the middle), sub-metacentric
constriction satellite and (slightly away from the middle), acrocentric
microbodies (contain (near to one end of the chromosome) and
enzymes) telocentric (terminal centromere)
chromosomes.
14 Microbodies Membrane bound minute Contains enzymes, present in both plant and
vesicles animal cells

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Endomembrane system:
Group of membranes and organelles that works
together to modify, package, and transport lipids and
proteins is called endomembrane system.

Difference between Plant and Animal Cells

Characteristics Plant cell Animal cell

Cell Wall present Absent
Vacuoles larger in size, one comparatively small in size, many
Microvilli absent present
Centrioles absent present
Plastids present absent

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