Cell structure and functions:
Cells: Basic Units of Life
Cells are the smallest units of life that perform all necessary activities.
Tissues are made of similar cells that work together for a common function.
Discovery of the Cell
Robert Hooke discovered cells in 1665 by observing cork (dead plant cells).
Anton van Leeuwenhoek later observed living cells using better microscopes.
Cell Theory (1838):
All living organisms are made up of cells.
Every living thing, whether unicellular or multicellular, consists of cells.
The cell is the basic unit of life.
Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of all living organisms.
New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Cells divide into new cells, ensuring growth, reproduction, and repair in organisms.
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Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms
Unicellular organisms (like bacteria, amoeba) consist of one cell
performing all functions.
Multicellular organisms (like humans, animals, plants) have many
specialized cells for different functions.
Variation in Cells
Cell Shape: Different shapes based on their function (e.g., nerve cells are
long and branched).
Cell Size: Varies; the smallest is the Red Blood Cell (RBC), and the largest is
the ostrich egg.
Parts of a Cell
1. Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance where cell activities happen.
2. Nucleus: Control center, contains DNA (genetic material).
o Chromosomes carry DNA; human cells have 46.
3. Cell Membrane: Outer layer controlling what enters or leaves.
Cell Organelles and Their Functions
Mitochondria: Powerhouse, produce energy.
Ribosomes: Make proteins.
Plastids (in plants):
o Chloroplasts: Photosynthesis.
o Chromoplasts: Color pigments.
o Leucoplasts: Store food.
Vacuoles: Store food, water, waste; larger in plant cells.
Golgi Bodies: Package and secrete proteins.
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Transport system within the cell.
Centrioles: Help in cell division (only in animal cells).
Lysosomes: Digest foreign bodies, "suicidal bags."
Mitochondria: Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they
produce energy through cellular respiration. They convert food into energy in the form of
ATP, which fuels the cell's activities.
Ribosomes: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in the cell. They read
messenger RNA (mRNA) to build proteins, which are essential for cell functions and
structure.
Plastids: Plastids, found only in plant cells, are involved in food storage and
photosynthesis. Chloroplasts, a type of plastid, contain chlorophylls and help convert
sunlight into energy.
Vacuoles: Vacuoles store food, water, and waste materials in the cell. In plant cells, a
large central vacuole also maintains turgidity and provides structural support.
Golgi Bodies: Golgi bodies are involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins
and lipids. They play a key role in secretion and transport of molecules to other parts of
the cell or outside it.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The ER is a network of membranes involved in protein
and lipid synthesis. It also helps in the transport of materials within the cell; rough ER
has ribosomes, while smooth ER does not.
Centrioles: Centrioles play a crucial role in cell division, particularly in the formation of
the spindle fibers that separate chromosomes. They are found only in animal cells.
Lysosomes: Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down waste materials,
cellular debris, and foreign particles. They are also involved in the recycling of cellular
components.
Cell Division
Cell Division: A cell grows, then divides to form two new cells (daughter
cells). This leads to organism growth and repairs damaged cells.
