What is a cell?

■ DEFINITION:
Cell is the fundamental, structural and functional unit of all living
beings.

Cell ARYA VIDYA MANDIR GROUP OF

INSTITUTIONS
■ It is capable of independent existence and performing the essential
functions of life.
■ Every organ in the animal body as well as plant body is made up of
cells.
Subject: Biology ■ Every cell has its own life. Weak and dead cells are continuously
replaced by the new cells. Pre-existing cells give rise to new cells.
Topic: Cell
■ All organisms start life as a single cell called ‘zygote’.
Std 7
■ Cells are microscopic.

Cell Theory Cell Theory

CELL THEORY STATES THAT :
1. MATTHIAS SCHLEIDEN – A German botanist
;
He announced that every plant is made up of a large number of
cells and each of these cells performed various life processes. ▪ The cell is the smallest unit
of structure of all living things.
2. THEODOR SCHWANN – A German zoologist
He announced that every animal is made up of a large number
of cells and each of these cells performed various life ▪ The cell is the smallest unit
processes. of function of all living things.

3. RUDOLF VIRCHOW – German biologist ▪ All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
He said that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
 SINGLE-CELLED MULTI-CELLED
bacteria yeast amoeba

spirogyra volvox

FEW-CELLED

Smallest cells
RBC Bacterial cell

longest cell Largest cell

PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL

Nerve cell Ostrich egg

Cell Structure and
Functions: B] Cell Wall:
A] Cell membrane: A cell wall is covering the outermost layer of a cell.
• Thin covering of the cell.

• It is thin membrane that encloses the Functions:

contents of a cell.
a. The plant cell wall provides definite shape,
• Semi-permeable strength, rigidity.
• Present in both plant and animal cell
b. Freely permeable
Function: it controls what passes in c . It also provides protection against mechanical
and out of the cell.
stress and physical shocks

c. It helps to control cell expansion due to the intake

of water
C] Cytoplasm: jelly like substance that makes up most
of the inside of the cell.
d. Also helps in preventing water loss from the cell
• Surrounded by cell membrane
e. It is responsible for transporting substances • Consists of water and dissolved inorganic salts
between and across the cell • Keeps organelles in place inside the cell

f. It acts as a barrier between the interior cellular Function: Many chemical reactions take place here
components and the external environment to keep the cell alive.
 A. Nucleus: Known as the ‘brain of the cell’

• Organelles are small structures scattered in the a.Spherical body inside the cell that controls all activity within the cell.
cytoplasm that work together to carry out life b.It is surrounded by the nuclear membrane.
processes. The different types of organelles that c.The nuclear membrane encloses a jelly like fluid inside the nucleus called
perform different functions are: the nucleoplasm.
d.The nucleoplasm contains chromosomes and
nucleolus

e.The nucleus and cytoplasm together make up the

protoplasm

B. Mitochondria:
• Small rod like structures that release energy
Functions: from food.
❏ control the cell
❏ Regulate everything that goes • Called “ powerhouses” of cells.
on inside the cell • Site of respiration
❏ Contains instructions to
make more cells • Produces energy in the form
❏ Help to transmit characteristics of ATP(adenosine triphosphate)
from one parent to the offspring.
C. Endoplasmic reticulum: D. Golgi bodies:
• ER is an irregular network of canals running through the cytoplasm They are flattened cavities or spaces present in the cytoplasm. They secrete
from the nucleus to the surface of the cell. This network is used to
useful substances such as enzymes and hormones.
transport substances around the cell or to store them

E. Centrosomes: F. Ribosomes:
They are located near the nucleus and participate in cell division. •They are organelles that make proteins to repair cells and build
They are also called centrioles. new cells.

• These ‘protein factories’ occur in small groups in the cytoplasm or

attached to endoplasmic reticulum
 G. Lysosomes: G. Vacuoles

They are small ‘packets’ that contain destructive enzymes. • Clear spaces in the cytoplasm
They protect the cell by destroying bacteria and other unwanted
• Enclosed by a membrane called tonoplast
particles.
They also destroy old, worn out cells. • Plant cell have large vacuoles,
• Animal cell have smaller and fewer vacuoles
Function:
• Storage of water, pigments and
waste substances
• Provides turgidity to the cell

G. Plastids: Found only in plant cell.

PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL

Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant Cell Animal Cell

Plant cell have fixed and rectangular The animal cell is irregular and
Cell size and shape
shape. round in shape.
Cell wall A cell wall is present A cell wall is absent
Are present and lies on one side of Are present and lies in center of the
Nucleus
the cell. cell
Centrosomes Are absent Are present
Are present with chloroplast in
Plastids Plastids are absent
them.
Usually large and few central Usually small and numerous central
Vacuoles
vacuoles vacuoles

Difference between:
Prokaryotic cell: Eukaryotic cell:
● Most unicellular ● Most Multicellular
● Size of the cell is large
● Size of the cell is small
● Nucleus region is well defined and is
● Nucleus region is poorly defined surrounded by nuclear membrane or
due to the absence of nuclear true nucleus bound by nuclear
membrane is present in the cell
membrane or the cell lacks true
nucleus ● Contains more than one chromosome.

● Contains single chromosome ● Eg:plant cell and Animal cell

● Eg: Bacteria