CELL :

THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF

LIFE
BY: Ms. VASUDHA SINGH

ROBERT HOOKE WAS THE FIRST SCIENTIST TO

PEER THROUGH A MICROSCOPE AND OBSERVE
CELLS WHICH ARE NOW CONSIDERED THE
BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE.

ONION PEEL

CHEEK CELLS

IN-TEXT QUESTIONS
1.Who discovered cells and how?
A.Cells were discovered by an English botanist,Robert
Hooke ,in 1665.He used primitive microscope to observe
cells in a cork slice.

2.Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit

of life?
A. A cell is the smallest unit of life and is capable of all
living functions.They are the building blocks of life.The
shape and size of the cell is related to the function they
perform.That is why they are called the structural and
functional unit of life.

Define Hypotonic solution?

Hypotonic solution is the solution surrounding the cell that
has higher water concentration than the cell.
Water molecules are free to pass across the cell membrane in
both the directions but more water will come into the cell
than will leave. The net result is that water enters the cell
and cell swells up.
In plant cells ,cells become turgid while in animals, cells
burst .

Hypertonic solution
When a medium surrounding the cell has lower
concentration of water than that in the cell.
Water molecules are free to pass across the cell membrane in
both the directions, but more water leaves the cell than
enters it
The cell will shrink i.e. it will undergo plasmolysis

Isotonic solution
If the medium has exactly the same water concentration as
the cell, there will be no net movement of water across the
cell.
Water crosses the cell membrane in both the directions but
amount of water going in is the same as going out.
The cell will stay the same size.

PHAGOCYTOSIS IN
AMOEBA

How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell?
Discuss
A. Movement of CO2 and O2

Gases like CO2 and O2 move across the cell membrane by a process called
diffusion. If the concentration of CO2 is high inside the cell than
outside ,then CO2 will move from region of higher concentration to
lower.Similarly,O2 enters the cell by the process of diffusion when its
concentration inside the cell decreases.
Movement of water
The movement of water molecules through a cell membrane is called
diffusion. Movement of water is affected by the amount of solute dissolved
in it. Movement of water is from a region of high water concentration
through a semi permeable membrane to a region of low water
concentration.

Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane?

A. The plasma membrane is called a selectively permeable membrane
because it allows entry and exit of some molecules through the cell and
prevents the movement of other molecules.

CELL WALL

Hard

outer covering of the cell

Present
Cell

outside the cell wall

wall is composed of cellulose

Cellulose

is a complex substance and

provides structural strength to plants
Cell

wall is present in plant cells

.
Cell

wall helps the plant cell to

withstand environmental changes.

 NUCLEUS

Has double layered covering called nuclear membrane

Nuclear membrane has pores which allow the transfer of materials from inside to outside i.e.
cytoplasm
Nucleus contains chromosomes which are visible as rod shaped structures when the cell is
about to divide
Chromosomes contain genetic information for inheritance of features from parents to offspring
in the form of DNA.
Functional segments of DNA are called genes.

FUNCTIONS

It plays an important role in Cellular reproduction.

It determines cellular development by directing

chemical activities of cell.

CYTOPLASM

It is the fluid content inside the plasma membrane

It contains many specialized cell organelles.

 Functions

of RER

Serve as channels for transport of proteins synthesized by

ribosomes.
Provides cytoplasmic framework for the cell

Functions

of SER

Helps in manufacture of fat molecules or lipids

Involved in membrane biogenesis(formation of cell membrane
by proteins and lipids)
Detoxifies drugs and toxins in liver

RIBOSOMES
Site of protein synthesis

 LYSOSOMES

Waste disposal system of the cell

Contain powerful digestive enzymes capable of digesting organic material.
When cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their
own cell. Therefore, they are also known as suicide bags of the cell.
Enzymes are made by RER and packaged by Golgi Bodies

MITOCHONDRIA
Known as power house of the cell
Energy is released by mitochondria in the
form of ATP
ATP is known as the energy currency of
the cell.
It is an autonomous organelle. Because of
its DNA and ribosomes it can synthesize
some of its own proteins.
Inner membrane forms finger like folds
known as cristae.
Cristae increase surface area for ATP
synthesis.

PLASTIDS
They are of two typesChromoplast and
Leucoplast
Chromoplast are coloured
plastids, e.g,

1. Name the scientist who discovered cell.

2.Name the scientist who first described Golgi apparatus.

3. (A)What is DNA? Where is it found?

(B) Name the functional segment of DNA.
4. List two similarities between mitochondria and plastids.
5. Name the organelle that is referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.
Why is it called so?
6. Mention any two functions of the endoplasmic reticulum.
7. Give the functions of the following organelles in a cell.
(i) Chloroplast (ii) Nucleus
8. Which cell organelle is called suicide bag of a cell? Why?
9. Write the names of two cell organelles that have their own DNA and
ribosome.
10. State any two reasons for plant cells to have large central vacuole.

IDENTIFY THE CELL ORGANELLES-