The

Fundamental
Unit of Life
 Topics to be Covered
Introduction to Cell
Cell theory
Cell - different shape, size
and number
Cell
Structure
Cell Division
 Introduction to Cell
Cells are the structural, functional, and
biological units of all living beings.

The entire functioning of living organsims

begins from basic unit called cell, that’s why
it’s called fundamental unit of life.

A cell can replicate itself independently.

Hence, they are known as the building blocks
of life.
ORGAN
CELL TISSUE ORGANS ORGANIS
SYSTE
S S M
M
 Discoveries related to
Cell
The cell was first discovered and named
Robert
Hooke
by ROBERT HOOKE in 1665.

Anton Van Discovered protozoa

Leuwenhoek and
(1674) bacteria, living cell

Robert Brown (1831) Discovered cell nucleus

Schleiden and
Schwann (1838, 1839) Proposed cell

Purkinje (1839) theory Protoplasm

 Cell Theory

All the living organisms

are composed of cells

The living organisms could

be made up of one or more
cells

The new cells arise from pre-

existing cells through the
process of cell division
Siz Numbe Shap
e r e
 Cell - different cell
number
If an organism is made up of a single cell, it is called a unicellular organism
(uni: one; cellular: cell). e.g. bacteria, protozoa, etc.
The organisms which are made up of more than one cell are called
multicellular organisms (multi: many; cellular: cell). e.g. humans, animals,
etc.

Unicellular Multicellular

Bacteria Paramecium Human Animal

 Cell - different shape

SPINDLE

BRANCHED
&
ELONGATED

SPHERICAL
 Cell - different size

Smallest cell- Mycoplasma (Bacteria) Largest cell- Ostrich

egg

PPLD (Pleuro- Pneumonia like Organisms)

 CELL
(Basic structural and functional unit of living
organisms)
Component
s

Plasma Cell Wall Nucleus Cytoplasm Cell

Membrane/ cell Organelle
Membrane s
Rigid outer Has double Fluid content
These are
Outermost covering of covering lying layered nuclear inside the
specialised
cell outside the membrane plasma
membrane-
Permits the entry and plasma having nuclear membrane
bound parts
exit of some materials membrane pores for and outside
of cell present
(selectively permeable) Present in transfer of the nucleus
in cytoplasm
plants only. material and
chromosomes.
Cell Structure
Plasma Membrane or Cell
Membrane
Outermost covering of the cell and
it separates cell contents from
external environment.
Selectively permeable membrane:
- Allows entry and exit of some
materials.
- Prevents movement of some materials.
Allows diffusion of substances like
carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Regulates movement of substances in and
out of the cell.
It is made up of lipids and proteins.
 Active and Passive Transport
Passive Transport Active Transport

Substances move from their higher Substances move from their lower
to lower concentration. to higher concentration.

It requires energy in the form de

No energy is ATP molecules

It is a rapid movement.
required. It is a slow

Movement of large molecules

movement occur by active transport.

Only small molecules or water

molecules are transported
 Osmosis
Osmosis is the passage of water molecules across a semi-
permeable membrane from a solution with a high concentration to
a solution with a lower concentration

Types of Osmosis:
Endosmosis : The process in which the
water molecules / solvent enter into
the cell. (Cell Swell)
Exosmosis : The process in which the
water molecules / solvent move out
of the cell. (Cell Shrink)
 Diffusion
The process of movement of a substance (solid, liquid, or gas) from
the region of higher concentration to the region of lower
concentration so as to spread uniformly.
In the process of diffusion the molecules of the one substance mix
with the molecule of the other substance.
 DIFFUSION OSMOSIS

It is the phenomenon of moving solvent particles across a

It is the phenomenon of moving particles from a region of
semipermeable from a region of low solute concentration to
higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
more solute concentration.

It occurs in liquids and gases. It occurs in liquids only.

No membrane separation is required here. It requires a semi-permeable membrane.

Water is not necessary for movement. Water is the main solvent that moves from one region to another.

The flow of constituents is in all directions. The flow of constituents occurs in one direction only.

The process can be stopped or we can reverse it by applying

Diffusion is a natural phenomenon that can not be stopped.
an external force.

All the types of substances present in the solution can move There is a movement of only water or any other substance
from the region of its high concentration to the region of low from a region of higher concentration of solvent to the region
concentration. of low concentration.

Example – Addition of ink in water leads to the colouring of

Example – Red blood cells swell up when exposed to water.
the water.
Types of
Solutions

swell
 Endocytosis & Exocytosis

Endocytosis Exocytosis
 Cell Wall
Non-living, rigid outer covering of plant cells composed mainly of
cellulose.
Provides structural strength, lies outside the plasma membrane.

Plasmolysis:
Occurs in living plant cells when they lose water through
osmosis. Results in shrinkage of cell contents away from the
cell wall.
 Functions of Cell Wall :
Permits plant, fungi, and bacterial cells to resist bursting
in hypotonic environments.
Cells absorb water by osmosis, leading to swelling
and pressure against cell wall.
Cell wall exerts equal pressure against swollen cell.
Cells with walls can endure greater changes in
surrounding medium than animal cells.

Plants Present Cellulose

Bacteria Present Peptidoglycan
Fungi Present Chitin
Animals Absent X
Virus Absent X
 Why cell walls are only present
in
plants and not (PYQ
animals? )
Cell wall is present in plants while animals have cell membrane.

Cell wall mainly helps the plant to remain rigid and fixed. this
helps the plants because they are immobile. the cell wall mainly
contains cellulose and other substances, which are the main
reasons why the trunks and branches of the trees are strong.
 Nucleus
The nuclear membrane is double-layered and contains pores for material
exchange between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Nucleus contains chromosomes (DNA and Protein) , visible during cell
division, which carry genetic information in the form of DNA molecules.
DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) molecules contain the information essential for
constructing & organizing cells. These molecules consist of genes, which regulate
cell functions and inheritance, and are visible as chromatin material in non-
dividing cells.
Chromatin material, visible as an
entangled mass of thread-like structures,
undergoes organization into chromosomes
during cell division.

The nucleus plays a central role in cellular

reproduction and development by
directing chemical activities and
determining cell maturity.
Cell - origin and cellular
structure

ribosomes
flagella
Q. The undefined nuclear region of prokaryotes are
also known as
(a) nucleus (PYQ
(b) nucleolus )
(c) nucleic acid
(d) nucleoid
 Eukaryote
s
ANIMAL PLANT
CELL CELL

Cytoplasm- the fluid content enclosed by the cell membrane, contains

specialized organelles. Organelles perform specific functions and are enclosed
by membranes.

Cell Organelles- Eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles

that carry out various functions in the cell, e.g. Nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes, etc.
Q. The only cell organelle seen in prokaryotic
cellMitochondria
(a)
(b) Ribosomes
(PYQ
(c) Plastids )
(d) Lysosomes
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a network
of membrane-bound tubes and sheets within the
cell.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Appears rough due to ribosomes; sites of Smooth appearance; facilitates lipid, enzyme,
protein synthesis. and hormone production.

Ribosomes synthesize proteins. No protein synthesis; functions in lipid

Not involved in lipid production. Facilitates lipid synthesis.

production. Functions in enzyme and hormone production.

No role in enzyme or hormone Crucial in detoxification, especially in liver

synthesis. No detoxification capability. cells.

Q. Lipid molecules in the cell are synthesised
by
a. Smooth endoplasmic
reticulum
(PYQ
b. Rough endoplasmic reticulum )
c. Golgi apparatus
d. Plastids
 Golgi Apparatus
Named after its discoverer, Camillo Golgi.

Comprises a system of membrane-bound

vesicles arranged roughly parallel to each other
in stacks known as cisterns.

Facilitates the packaging and transportation

of proteins across the cytoplasm.

Performs functions such as storage,

modification, and packaging of products in
vesicles.
Traffic police' of the cell
Plays a role in the formation of lysosomes.
 Lysosomes
Lysosomes, filled with digestive enzymes from the RER,
act as the cell's waste disposal system.

They digest foreign material and worn-out organelles

to maintain cell cleanliness.

Lysosomes break down complex substances into

simpler ones using powerful enzymes.

Termed "suicide bags" as they may burst during

cellular disturbance, leading to self-digestion.

Involved in breaking down all organic material,

‘Suicide bags' of the cell
including
bacteria and old organelles.
 Mitochondria
Mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses, have Crista
two membranes: porous outer and folded e
inner.
Inner folds increase surface area for ATP
generation, the cell's energy currency.

Mitochondria produce ATP, used for

cellular activities and mechanical work.

They possess their own DNA and ‘Powerhouse' of the

ribosomes, enabling protein synthesis. cell
 Plastids
Plastids, exclusive to plant cells, exist in two varieties: chromoplasts
and leucoplasts.
Chromoplasts are colored plastids (flowers).
Chloroplasts, are chromoplasts, containing chlorophyll,
enabling photosynthesis, which regulates atmospheric oxygen
levels.
Leucoplasts lack coloration and primarily function as storage sites
for starch, oils, and protein granules.
.
 Ribosomes

Membrane less cell

organelle.

Involved in synthesis
of protein

Present in both
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
cell.
Q. Which of these options are not the functions of
ribosomes?
I. It helps in manufacture of protein
molecules.
(PYQ
II. It helps in manufacture of enzymes. )
III. It helps in manufacture of hormones.
IV. It helps in manufacture of starch
molecules.
(a) I and II
(b) I and III
(c) III and IV
(d) IV and I
 Vacuoles
Tonoplast

Vacuoles: Storage sacs in cells, small in

animals, large in plants.
Plant Central Vacuole: Occupies 50-90% of
cell volume, filled with cell sap.
Functions: Provide turgidity and rigidity

e
to plant cells, store essential substances.

ol
Contents: Amino acids, sugars, proteins, and

cu
in single-celled organisms, consumed food

Va
items. Specialized Roles: Expelling excess
water and wastes from unicellular organisms.

Storage Sacs
 To Remember

Double membrane-bound: Nucleus, Mitochondria, Plastids

Single membrane-bound: vacuole, lysosome, Golgi

apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum

Membrane-less: Ribosome, Centrosome (Centriole)

 Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell Shape Square or rectangular in shape Irregular or round in shape
Cell Wall Present Absent
Plasma/Cell Membrane Present Present
Endoplasmic Reticulum Present Present
Nucleus Present and lies on one side of the cell Present and lies in the center of the cell
Lysosomes Present but are very rare Present
Golgi Apparatus Present Present
Cytoplasm Present Present
Ribosomes Present Present
Plastids Present Absent
Vacuoles Few large or a single, centrally Usually small and numerous
positioned
Cilia Absent Present in most of the animal cells
Mitochondria Present but fewer in number Present and are numerous
Mode of Nutrition Primarily autotrophic Heterotrophic
 Cell Division
Cell division is the process through which new cells are formed
in organisms.
New cells formed for growth, cell replacement, and
reproduction. Two main types: mitosis and meiosis.
 (PYQ
Q. In brief state what happens when
)
(a) Dry apricots are left for sometime in pure water and
later transferred to sugar solution?
(b) A red blood cell is kept in concentrated saline solution?
(c) The plasma membrane of a cell breaks down?
(d)Rhoeo leaves are boiled in water first and then a drop of
sugar syrup is put on it?
(e) Golgi apparatus is removed from the cell?
Answer-
(a)Dry apricots in pure water: Swell due to osmosis, then shrink in sugar solution
due to exosmosis.

(b)Red blood cell in concentrated saline solution: Shrinks due to exosmosis

caused by water loss.

(c)Plasma membrane breakage: Disruption of cell integrity, scattering of cell

organelles.

(d)Boiled Rhoeo leaves with sugar syrup: No osmosis due to cell death,
demonstrating selective permeability.

(e)Removal of Golgi apparatus: Impaired protein processing, storage, and

secretion.
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