Biology Handout Form Three

CELLS

STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS.

Structures within a cell are called ​organelles​. The nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes are called organelles.
Organelles are structures in the cell with special functions. They are discrete and the nucleus, mitochondria, and
chloroplasts are surrounded by their own membranes.

Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm is a clear jelly. It is nearly all water; about 70% is water in many cells. It contains many substances
dissolved in it, especially proteins.

Vacuoles

A vacuole is a space in a cell, surrounded by a member, and containing a solution. Plant cells have large vacuoles,
which contain a solution of sugars and other substances called ​cell sap.
Animal cells have much smaller vacuoles, which may contain food or water.

Cell wall

All plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall made mainly of cellulose. Animal cells ​NEVER​ have cells walls.

Chloroplasts

Theses are never found in animal cells, but most of the cells in the green parts of plant have them. They contain a
green pigment called chlorophyll. Chloropyll absorbs sunlight, and the energy of sunlight is then used for making
food for the plant by photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts often contain starch grains, which have been made by photosynthesis.
Animal cells never have starch grains.

Mitochondria

Every cell has mitochondria, because it is here that the cell releases energy from food. The energy is needed to help
it move and grow. Mitochondria are sometimes called ​‘powerhouses’​ of cell. The energy is released by combining
food with oxygen, in a process called respiration. The more active a cell, the more mitochondria it has.

Cell membrane

All cells have a membrane surrounding the cell. It is called the cell surface membrane.
It is very important to the cell because it controls what goes in and out of it. It is said to be partially permeable,
which means that it will le some substances through but not others.

Ribosomes

They are very tiny, round objects .It is here that proteins are made by joining together of smaller molecules.
A COMPARISON OF PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS

Similarities
1. Both have a cell surface membrane surrounding the cells.
2. Both have cytoplasm
3. Both contain nucleus
4. Both contain mitochondria
5. Both contain endoplasmic reticulum
6. Both contain ribosomes

Differences

Plant cells Animal cells

Have a cellulose cell wall outside the
Cell surface membrane
Often have chloroplasts containing
Chlorophyll.
Often have large vacuoles, containing
Cell sap.
Often have starch granules
Often regular in shape
Have no cell wall
Have no chloroplasts.
Have only small vacuoles
Never have starch granules; sometimes
have glycogen granules.
Often irregular in shape

THERE IS DIVISION OF LABOUR BETWEEN CELLS

A large organism such as yourself may contain many millions of cells, but not the cells are alike. Almost all of them
can carry out the activities which are characteristic of living things, but many of them specialise in doing some of
these better than other cells do.
Muscle cells, for example, are specially adapted for movement. Most cells in the leaf of a plant are specially adapted
for making food by photosynthesis.
Division of labour helps cells work more efficiently.

Similar cells are grouped together.

Often cells that specialise in the same activities will be found together. A group of cells like this is called a ​tissue.
Example: ​a layer of cells like lining your stomach.

An organ contains tissues working together.

All tissues in the stomach work together, although they have their own job to do. A group of tissues like this makes
up an ​organ
Example:​ stomach, heart, lungs etc.

A system contains organs working together​.

The stomach is one of the organs which helps to digest food. The mouth, the intestines and the stomach are all part
of the digestive system. The heart is part of the circulatory system, while the kidney is part of the excretory system.