CELLS Biology
CELLS Biology
CELLS Biology
A cell is the structural and fundamental unit of life. The study of cells from its basic structure to the
functions of every cell organelle is called Cell Biology. Robert Hooke was the first Biologist who
discovered cells.
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 building blocks of all living
beings. They provide structure to the body and convert the nutrients taken from the food into energy.
Cells are complex and their components perform various functions in an organism. They are of different
shapes and sizes, pretty much like bricks of the buildings. Our body is made up of cells of different
shapes and sizes.
Cells are the lowest level of organisation 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.
Cells comprise several cell organelles that perform specialised 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. Robert Hooke 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.
Later Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed cells under another compound microscope with higher
magnification. This time, 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
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. Prokaryotic cells have no 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. They are also
known to use conjugation – which is often seen as the prokaryotic equivalent to sexual
reproduction (however, it is NOT sexual reproduction).
Eukaryotic Cells
Main article: Eukaryotic Cells
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.
Read on to explore more insights on cell structure and function.
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:
Nucleolus
The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis. Also, it is involved in controlling cellular activities
and cellular reproduction.
Nuclear membrane
The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus by forming a boundary between the nucleus and
other cell organelles.
Chromosomes
Chromosomes play a crucial role in determining the sex of an individual. Each human cells contain
23 pairs of chromosomes.
Endoplasmic reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the transportation of substances throughout the cell. It
plays a primary role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, synthesis of lipids, steroids and proteins.
Golgi Bodies
Golgi bodies are called the cell’s post office as it is involved in the transportation of materials
within the cell.
Ribosome
The mitochondrion is called “the powerhouse of the cell.” It is called so because it produces ATP –
the cell’s energy currency.
Lysosomes
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.
Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are the primary organelles for photosynthesis. It contains the pigment called
chlorophyll.
Vacuoles
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:
A modern version of the cell theory was eventually formulated, and it contains the following postulates:
Functions of Cell
A cell performs major functions essential for the growth and development of an organism. Important
functions of cell are as follows:
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.
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.
Thus, we can understand why cells are known as the structural and functional unit of life. This is because
they are responsible for providing structure to the organisms and perform several functions necessary for
carrying out life’s processes.
1. What is a Cell?
A cell is defined as the fundamental, structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
The cell structure comprises several individual components which perform specific functions essential to
carry out life processes.
The components of the cell are as follows:
● Cell membrane
● Cell wall
● Cell organelles
● Nucleolus
● Nuclear membrane
● Endoplasmic reticulum
● Golgi Bodies
● Ribosome
● Mitochondria
● Lysosomes
● Chloroplast
● Vacuoles
● Prokaryotic cells
● Eukaryotic cells
Cell Theory was proposed by Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow, who were
German scientists. The cell theory states that:
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cells. Their primary function is to produce the energy
currency of the cells, ATP. It also regulates cellular metabolism.
Golgi bodies pack and sort the proteins for secretion. It creates lysosomes and transports lipids around
the cells.
9. Who discovered the cell and how?
Robert Hooke discovered cells in 1665. He observed a piece of cork under a compound microscope and
noticed minute structures reminiscent of small rooms. Consequently, he named his discovery “cells.”
10. Name the cell organelle that contains hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down organic matter.
Lysosomes
11. Which cellular structure regulates the entry and exit of molecules to and from the cell?
Cell membrane. It is a selectively permeable structure that controls the exit and entry of molecules into
the cell.