Module-1: CELL BASIC

UNIT OF LIFE
Prepared by:

Mrs. Liny.P
• Introduction to cell
• Structure and functions of a cell.
• Stem cells and their application.
• Biomolecules: Properties and functions of Carbohydrates,
• Nucleic acids,
• proteins,
• lipids.
• Importance of special biomolecules: Properties and functions of
enzymes, vitamins and hormones
https://youtu.be/URUJD5NEXC8
 Cells
• Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things/
fundamental unit of life as they can replicate independently.
• They range in size from 0.0001 mm to nearly 150 mm across.
• The human body is composed of trillions of cells of different
shapes and sizes much like bricks of the buildings.
• They provide structure for the body, take in nutrients from
food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out
specialized functions.
• Cells are complex and their components perform various
functions in an organism.
• Cells are the structural, functional, and biological units of
all living beings.
• All organisms are made up of cells. They may be made up of
a single cell (unicellular), or many cells (multicellular).
• Mycoplasmas are the smallest known cells.
• Cells are the lowest level of organization in every life form.
• From organism to organism, the count of cells may vary.
• Humans have more number of cells compared to that of
bacteria.
• Each cell contains a fluid called the cytoplasm, which is
enclosed by a membrane. Also present in the cytoplasm
are several biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids and
lipids. Moreover, cellular structures called cell organelles
are suspended in the cytoplasm.
• Cells comprise several cell organelles that perform
specialized functions to carry out life processes.
• Every organelle has a specific structure.
• The hereditary material of the organisms is also present
in the cells.
• Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665.
• observed a piece of bottle cork under a compound microscope and
noticed minuscule structures that reminded him of small rooms.
Consequently, he named these “rooms” as cells. However, his
compound microscope had limited magnification, and hence, he
could not see any details in the structure. Owing to this limitation,
Hooke concluded that these were non-living entities.
• Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed cells under another compound
microscope with higher magnification. He had noted that the cells
exhibited some form of movement (motility). As a result,
Leeuwenhoek concluded that these microscopic entities were
“alive.” Eventually, after a host of other observations, these
entities were named as animalcules.

• In 1883, Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, provided the very first

insights into the cell structure. He was able to describe the nucleus
present in the cells of orchids.
Characteristics of Cells
• Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.
• The cell interior is organized into different individual organelles
surrounded by a separate membrane.
• The nucleus (major organelle) holds genetic information necessary
for reproduction and cell growth.
• Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the
cytoplasm.
• Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly
responsible for the energy transactions vital for the survival of the cell.
• Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
• Centrioles play a key role in the three-dimensional organization of the
cell as it also regulates the location of the nucleus.
• Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal
organization of the cell by synthesizing selective molecules and
processing, directing, and sorting them to their appropriate locations.
30-60% of the total membrane in the cell.
• Rough ER contains ribosomes on its
surfaces, it develops from nuclear
membrane.
• It participates in the synthesis of
enzymes and proteins.

• Smooth ER contains lipids; develops

from rough ER.
• Synthesises glycogen, lipids and
steroids.
Types of cells
• Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and
departments that work towards a common objective.
• Various types of cells perform different functions. Based on
cellular structure, there are two types of cells:
• Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotes
Prokaryotic cells

1.It will not have a nucleus. Instead, some prokaryotes such as bacteria
have a region within the cell where the genetic material is freely
suspended. This region is called the nucleoid.
2.They all are single-celled microorganisms. Examples include archaea,
bacteria, and cyanobacteria.
3.The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in diameter.
4.The hereditary material can either be DNA or RNA.
5.Prokaryotes generally reproduce by binary fission, a form of asexual
reproduction.
Eukaryotic cells
1.They are characterized by a true nucleus.
2.The size of the cells ranges between 10–100 µm in diameter.
3.This broad category involves plants, fungi, protozoans, and
animals.
4.The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring the transport
of nutrients and electrolytes in and out of the cells. It is also
responsible for cell to cell communication.
5.They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.
6.There are some contrasting features between plant and animal
cells. For eg., the plant cell contains chloroplast, central vacuoles,
and other plastids, whereas the animal cells do not.
Cell Structure
The cell structure comprises individual components with specific
functions essential to carry out life’s processes. These components
include-
• cell wall,
• cell membrane,
• cytoplasm, nucleus, and
• cell organelles.
Cell Membrane
• The cell membrane supports and protects the cell. It controls the
movement of substances in and out of the cells. It separates the cell from
the external environment. The cell membrane is present in all the cells.
• The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell within which all other
organelles, such as the cytoplasm and nucleus, are enclosed. It is also
referred to as the plasma membrane.
• By structure, it is a porous membrane (with pores) which permits the
movement of selective substances in and out of the cell. Besides this, the
cell membrane also protects the cellular component from damage and
leakage.
• It forms the wall-like structure between two cells as well as between the cell
and its surroundings.
• Plants are immobile, so their cell structures are well-adapted to protect
them from external factors. The cell wall helps to reinforce this function.
Cell Wall
• The cell wall is the most prominent part of the plant’s cell
structure. It is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin.
• The cell wall is present exclusively in plant cells. It protects the
plasma membrane and other cellular components. The cell wall is
also the outermost layer of plant cells.
• It is a rigid and stiff structure surrounding the cell membrane.
• It provides shape and support to the cells and protects them from
mechanical shocks and injuries.
Cytoplasm
• The cytoplasm is a thick, clear, jelly-like substance present inside
the cell membrane.
• Most of the chemical reactions within a cell take place in this
cytoplasm.
• The cell organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles,
mitochondria, ribosomes, are suspended in this cytoplasm.
Nucleus
• The nucleus contains the hereditary material of the cell, the DNA.
• It sends signals to the cells to grow, mature, divide and die.
• The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope that separates
the DNA from the rest of the cell.
• The nucleus protects the DNA and is an integral component of a
plant’s cell structure.
Cell organelles
• Cells are composed of various cell organelles that perform certain
specific functions to carry out life’s processes. The different cell
organelles, along with its principal functions, are as follows:
• The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis. Also, it is involved
in controlling cellular activities and cellular reproduction.
• The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus by forming a
boundary between the nucleus and other cell organelles.
• Chromosomes play a crucial role in determining the sex of an
individual. Each human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes.
• The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the transportation of
substances throughout the cell. It plays a primary role in the
metabolism of carbohydrates, the synthesis of lipids, steroids, and
proteins.
• Golgi bodies are called the cell’s post office as it is involved in the
transportation of materials within the cell.
• Ribosomes are the protein synthesizers of the cell.
• The mitochondrion is called “the powerhouse of the cell.” It is called
so because it produces ATP – the cell’s energy currency.
• Lysosomes protect the cell by engulfing the foreign bodies entering
the cell and help in cell renewal. Therefore, they are known as the
cell’s suicide bags.
• Chloroplasts are the primary organelles for photosynthesis. It
contains the pigment called chlorophyll.
• Vacuoles store food, water, and other waste materials in the cell.
Cell Theory
• Cell Theory was proposed by the German scientists, Theodor
Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolf Virchow. The cell
theory states that:
• All living species on Earth are composed of cells.
• A cell is the basic unit of life.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
A modern version of the cell theory was eventually formulated, and it
contains the following postulates:
• Energy flows within the cells.
• Genetic information is passed on from one cell to the other.
• The chemical composition of all the cells is the same.
Functions of Cell
• A cell performs major functions essential for the growth and
development of an organism. Important functions of cell are as
follows:
• Provides Support and Structure
• All the organisms are made up of cells. They form the structural basis
of all the organisms. The cell wall and the cell membrane are the main
components that function to provide support and structure to the
organism. For eg., the skin is made up of a large number of cells.
Xylem present in the vascular plants is made of cells that provide
structural support to the plants.
• Facilitate Growth Mitosis
• In the process of mitosis, the parent cell divides into the daughter
cells. Thus, the cells multiply and facilitate the growth in an organism.
• Allows Transport of Substances
• Various nutrients are imported by the cells to carry out various
chemical processes going on inside the cells. The waste produced by
the chemical processes is eliminated from the cells by active and
passive transport. Small molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and ethanol diffuse across the cell membrane along the concentration
gradient. This is known as passive transport. The larger molecules
diffuse across the cell membrane through active transport where the
cells require a lot of energy to transport the substances.
• Energy Production
• Cells require energy to carry out various chemical processes. This
energy is produced by the cells through a process called
photosynthesis in plants and respiration in animals.
• Aids in Reproduction
• A cell aids in reproduction through the processes called mitosis and
meiosis. Mitosis is termed as the asexual reproduction where the
parent cell divides to form daughter cells. Meiosis causes the daughter
cells to be genetically different from the parent cells.
Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
• Both plant and animal cells comprise membrane-bound organelles,
such as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, the nucleus, Golgi
apparatus, and lysosomes.
• The plant cell can also be larger than the animal cell.
• The normal range of the animal cell varies from about 10 – 30
micrometres and that of plant cell range between 10 – 100
micrometres.
Stem cells and their application.