CYTOLOGY: CELL AS BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

Cell: The basic structural and functional unit of every living organism is called cell
Life exists only in the form of cell. The cell makes anything alive and enables a living organism to perform all
its functions. It is self-sufficient to carry out all the fundamental functions of an organism.
Discovery: Cell was discovered by British Scientist Robert Hooke in (1665) in cork using a magnifying device.
He was a Mathematician and Physicist who joined Royal society of London as curator of instruments.
Shape and size: Rounded, spherical, or elongated. In some organisms, the size can be as small as 0.0001mm,
(Mycoplasma) and large in some organisms up to six to twelve inches (Caulerpa taxifolia). The shape of
an animal cell is rounded, spherical, or elongated whereas plant cells are rectangular and rigid in shape, some
cells are long and pointed on both the ends, such cells exhibit spindle shape and in some cases, the cells are very
long. some may be branched like the neuron or the nerve cell. The smallest cell varies from 0.1 to 0.5 micrometer
and is found in bacteria and the largest cell measures 170 mm × 130 mm (the egg of an ostrich).
The shape of a cell is related to its function and composition. For example, neurons are long and branched,
while muscle fibers are small and spindle-shaped.
Number of cells: Human beings consist of trillions of cells. Single-celled organisms are known as unicellular
organisms. For example- bacteria, protists, and yeast.
Multi-cellular organisms consist of more than one cell, examples are humans, cows, dogs etc.
Cell theory: It is the scientific theory that was put forward by Schleiden and Schwann (1839) which states
that the body of all living beings is formed of cells and their products. It was formulated in the mid-nineteenth
century. This theory states that
All organisms are made of one or more cells. Examples of cell theory
Cells are the basic unit of life. An amoeba is made up of just one cell,
All cells come from other cells or pre-existing cells but it is still enough for it to be living.
Cells carry out all the processes necessary for an organism to survive. The female egg (Ovum) is the largest
Energy moves through cells. cell in the human body.
DNA is transferred from cell to cell, carrying genetic information. The smallest cell is the sperm.
All cells share the same primary chemical makeup.
Types of cells: There are many types of cells, including prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, nerve cells, muscle
cells, blood cells, fat cells, and bone cells.
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Prokaryotic cells
Lack a nucleus but have a nucleoid region. Bacteria are examples of prokaryotic cells.
Eukaryotic cells
Contain a nucleus and organelles like mitochondria, chloroplasts, and ribosome's. Eukaryotic cells can be
single-celled or multicellular.
Specialized cells
Nerve cells: Also known as neurons, these cells conduct electrochemical impulses & form the nervous
system.
Muscle cells: Also known as myocytes, these are long, tubular cells important for movement, support, and
internal functions.
Blood cells: Include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Fat cells: Also known as adipose cells, these cells store energy in the form of fat tissue.
Bone cells: Include osteoblasts, bone lining cells, osteocytes, and osteoclasts.
Stem cells
Embryonic stem cells: These stem cells can divide into more stem cells or can become any type of cell in the
body.
Similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Plasma membrane: Both types of cells have a cell membrane that regulates the movement of substances in and
out of the cell.
Cytoplasm: A jelly-like substance where cellular processes occur, is present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells.
Ribosome's: Both cell types contain ribosome's, which are the site of protein synthesis.
DNA as genetic material: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells use DNA as their genetic material.
Basic metabolic processes: Both types of cells perform fundamental metabolic processes to survive.
Cell division: Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells undergo cell division to reproduce.
Chemical composition of cell membrane is similar in both
ATP is energy currency in both
70s type of ribosome is present in both
Transcription and translation is recorded in both
Aerobic as well as anaerobic mode of respiration is present in both
Flagella is present in motile prokaryotic cells as well as in eukaryotic cells.
Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells
S. No. Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
1 Type of Cell Always unicellular Unicellular and multi-cellular
2 Cell size Ranges in size from 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm in diameter Size ranges from 10 μm – 100 μm in diameter
3 Cell wall Usually present; chemically complex in nature When present, chemically simple in nature
4 Nucleus Absent. Instead, they have a nucleoid region in the cell Present
5 Ribosome's Present (70s), Smaller in size and spherical in shape Present (80s), Comparatively larger in size and
linear in shape
6 DNA arrangement Circular Linear
7 Mitochondria Absent Present
8 Cytoplasm Present, but cell organelles absent Present, cell organelles present
9 Endoplasmic reticulum Absent Present
10 Plasmids Present Very rarely found in eukaryotes
11 Lysosome Lysosomes and centrosomes are absent Lysosomes and centrosomes are present
12 Cell division Through binary fission Through mitosis
13 Flagella The flagella are smaller in size The flagella are larger in size
14 Reproduction Asexual Both asexual and sexual
15 Example Bacteria and Archaea Plant and Animal cell
Functions of the Cell
Structure: Cells provide structure and support to the body
The cytoskeleton is a network of fibers that determine cell shape and help cells move
Growth: Cells divide to create new cells, which helps tissues grow in complex organisms like humans
Metabolism: Cells convert nutrients from food into energy through chemical reactions
Reproduction in cells can make copies of themselves.
Transport: Cells transport molecules in and out of the cell
Protein synthesis: Cells use genetic information to create proteins, which perform many functions in the cell
Genetic material: Cells contain DNA, which stores long-term information, and RNA, which is used for
information transport and enzymatic functions
Cell membrane: The cell membrane regulates the flow of substances in and out of the cell
Organelles: Organelles are specialized structures within the cell that perform specific tasks
For example, plastids in plant cells are responsible for photosynthesis and storing food