CELL AS A UNIT OF LIFE

Science form 1

2.1 What is a
Cell?
1. A cell is the basic unit
of life.
2. Its function is to carry
out life processes.

Who discover cells?

Theodor Schwann 1839

All animal tissues are composed
of cells

Cells
All living
organisms
are made
out of cells
Animal
Humans
Plants

Smallest
unit

Function
and
survive on
its own
Growth,
respiration,
division and
excretion

Different
sizes and
shapes
Long,
short,
oval, has
tail

Will die out eventually.

All new cells are formed by
cell division of other cells
(mitosis)

Microscope
1. A microscope is used to study the
general structure of a cell.

Eyepiece
Body tube

Nosepiece
Arm
Low power
Medium
power
High power
Stage clips
Diaphragm
Light source

Stage
Coarse
adjustment
Fine
adjustment
Base

No. Microscope part

Function

1.

Body tube

2.

Nosepiece

3.

Low power

4.

Medium power

5.

High power

6.

Stage clips

Hold the slide in place

7.

Diaphragm

Regulates the amount of light on the specimen

8.

Light source

Projects light upwards through the diaphragm,

the specimen and the lenses

9.

Eyepiece

Contains ocular lens

Holds the low, medium and high power objective

lenses, can be rotated to change magnification
Objective lenses magnification ranges from 10x
to 40x

10. Arm

Used to support the microscope when carried

11. Stage

Support the slide being viewed

12. Coarse
adjustment

Moves the stage up and down for focusing

13. Fine adjustment

Moves the stage slightly to sharpen the image

14. Base

Supports the microscope

Animal and plant cells

Cell
membran
e
Cytoplas
m
Nucleus

Chloropla
st
Vacuole
Cell wall

Animal cells
Irregular in shape
No cell wall
No chloroplasts
Mostly no vacuoles

Plant cells
Regular in shape
Have cell wall
Have chloroplasts
Have large
vacuoles

The functions of cell

structure

Structure
Nucleus
Cytoplasm

Cell membrane

Cell wall

Function
Controls all cell
activities
A place where
chemical processes
take place
Controls flow of
materials in and out
of cell
Gives shape to the
cell

First science form 1 project

Build a model that shows the
structure of animal and plant cells
Example:

2.2 Unicellular and multicellular

organisms
1. A unicellular organisms has one cell
only.
2. A multicellular organisms has many
cells.

Unicellular organisms

Paramecium

Euglena

Amoeba

Chlamydomo
nas

Multicellular organisms

Spirogyra

Hydra

Sporangium

2.3 Cell organisation in the Human

Body
Cell (simple)
Tissue
Organ
System
Organism
(complex)

1. The type and function of human

cells

2. Tissue
Tissue is a group of similar cells that
work together to perform a particular
function.
Epithelial
tissue

Muscle
tissue

Nerve
tissue

Connecti
ve tissue

3. Organ
An organ consists of two or more kinds
of tissues joined into one structure that
has a certain task.

4. System
Groups of organs form organ systems
Each system carries out a major
activity in the body.

5. Organism
All system in the body function in a
coordinated manner to form a
multicellular organism.

2.4 Human being a complex

organism
1. A human being is a complex
multicellular organism because the
cells are organised into tissues,
organs and systems.
2. Cell specialisation helps to divide
body function among the different
types of cells.
3. Cell specialisation and cell
organisation ensure the life
processes are carried out effectively.