Cells - Units of Life

Cells - The structural and functional units of life are called cells.
Specialized cells - Cells that are developed to carryout one particular function in an organism.
Parts of a cell

 Cell membrane: It is a thin layer of cytoplasm around the cell which is semipermeable allowing the entry and
exit of particles to and form the cell.
 Made up of proteins and fats.
 It is a semi permeable membrane.
 It controls the entry and exit of particles to and from the cell.
 Keeps all the contents of the cell intact.
 Prevents the cells contents from mixing with the medium outside the cell.
 High surface area of the cell helps in the (or provides for) absorption of nutrients and the disposal of
wastes.
 Cytoplasm: A jelly like substance suspended in the cell which is enclosed by the cell membrane which contains
cell organelles and is the site of chemical reactions.
 Jelly like material.
 Contains cell’s organelles, water with dissolved salt and sugar, proteins (some are enzymes) and lipids.
 These enzymes controls the rate and type of reactions which take place in the cell.
 Some enzymes are attached to the membranes of the cell.
 Metabolism (chemical reactions of the cell) takes place here.
 Most of it is water (90%)

 Nucleus: It is a structure found in the cytoplasm of most animal and plant cells containing DNA in the form of
chromosomes. It’s function is to control cell division , development, activites.
 Controls the type and quantity of enzyme produced by the cytoplasm to regulate the chemical changes
that occur in the cell.
 The nucleus is enclosed by a membrane called the nuclear envelope. It controls the movement of
 molecules in and out of the nucleus and acts as a layer of protection.
 Contains thread-like structures called chromosomes (genetic material) which is made up of DNA and
proteins which carry instructions for protein synthesis. (Nucleoplasm contains chromatin made of DNA).
 Chromosomes can be easily seen when the cells are dividing
 Produces enzymes that diffuse into cytoplasm and control the reactions of the cell.
 Involved in cell division.


Organelles of a cell
 Mitochondria: Tiny organelles in the cytoplasm of animal and plant cells. They are responsible for releasing
energy through aerobic respiration. It is powerhouse of the cell.
 Rod shaped organelles with inner folded membrane (inward pointing) to increase surface are for
reactions to occur.
 Responsible for producing energy from food substances through the process of aerobic respiration.
 Respiration occurs in this organelle (so it is known as the power house of the cell).
 Uses {actually produces enzymes that uses} glucose and oxygen to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
and release CO2.
 Most numerous in regions of rapid chemical activity
 Endoplasmic reticulum: A network of flattened cavities surrounded by a membrane, which links with the
nuclear membrane.
 Membranes that appear through out the cytoplasm and at places where proteins and fats assemble.
 It transports, produces and stores proteins
 It connects the plasma membrane with the nuclear membrane.
 It conducts metabolic products within and between the cell.
 Ribosomes: A cell organelle in the cytoplasm responsible for the synthesis of proteins from amino acids.
 An extremely small, rounded organelle made up of ribonucleic acid.
  It can be found free-floating in the cytoplasm
 They build up the cell’s proteins.
 It is the site for protein synthesis
[x]Golgi apparatus:
 It consists of a variable group of flattened sacs surrounded by a membrane and vacuoles (probably
derived from the nuclear membrane or endoplasmic reticulum).
 It plays a part in assembling the materials for making the cell membrane and to prepare and transfer
proteins (e.g. enzymes that are released from the cell).

PLANT CELL

 Cell Wall:
 It is the outer most structure of a plant cell. It is made of a thick fiber known as cellulose.
o The role of the cell wall is to:
 Provide structure and a definite shape of the cell
 Acts as the selectively permeable membrane to control entry and exit of molecules into
and out of the cell.
o Plays a key part in keeping the cell turgid

 [x]Vacuole: A fluid filled space in the cell surrounded by a membrane.

 It is a membrane bound organelle.
 It is used by cells for storage (of organic compounds or ions and harmful metabolic by-products), plays
a role in intracellular digestion, release of cell waste, helps in *endocytosis and phagocytosis (the
engulfing of nutrients into the cell), (gives turgidity to plant cells).
 It has a cell sap, a watery solution of sugars, salts and sometimes pigment.
 It is the outside pressure of the vacuole on the cytoplasm which makes the plant cells and their tissues
firm.
 The plant cell vacuole has Its own membrane known as Tonoplast. The tonoplast plays a vital role
 in helping cells hold its turgid shape.

 Chloroplast:
 Chloroplasts are specialized organelles that are responsible for generating energy for the cell.
 Chloroplasts contain a special green pigment known as Chlorophyll.
 Chlorophyll traps sunlight to be used for a reaction knows as Photosynthesis.
Plasmid DNA:
 - A plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA that is different than the chromosomal DNA.
 - It replicates independently of chromosomal DNA
 - Plasmids are mainly found in bacteria, but they can also be found in archaea and multicellular
 organisms.
 - They have separate genes from the host cell (cells in which they are found) but cannot live on their
 own
 - They contain genes that enhance the survival of an organism
 *Very important tool in Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA technology

Bacterial Cell (Prokaryotic):

Bacteria (singular: Bacterium) are unicellular organisms.
 They always have a cell wall (not made of cellulose)
 The cell wall supports the cell and stops it from bursting if the cell takes up too much water.
 Bacteria cells do not have mitochondria or chloroplasts.
 Do not have nucleus.
 Have DNA or bacterial chromosome(DNA exactly same function as the other cell-provides instruction for
making proteins)

Eukaryotic VS Prokaryotic Cells:

Prokaryotic Cells
- Prokaryotic Cells are considered to be the earliest amongst living cells.
- Prokaryotic cells are made up of cells from the groups of Bacteria and Archaea.
- Basically, Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane bound organelles.
- Organisms that are prokaryotes are found to be unicellular(single-cell)