CELL BASIC UNIT OF

LIFE
Fundament unit of life

CELL BASIC UNIT OF

LIFE
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Multicellular Organisms
Cell Membrane and Cell Wall
Cell Organelles
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Vacuoles
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Golgi Apparatus
Nucleus
Chromosomes
Basic Structure, Number

DISCOVERY OF
CELL
In 1665 Robert Hooke an English Scientist, Saw
Cells in a thin slice of cork with his crude
microscope.
He observed as Honey comb like Structure
and named them as CELLULAE or CELLS
His discovery indicated for the first time that
living organisms consisted of number of small
structures or units.
Microscope

TO KNOW THE
HISTORY OF CELL?
1665- Robert Hook discovery of cell
1674-A. Van Leeuwenhoek-studied living for the first
time.
1831-Robert Brown discovery and named Nucleus in a
cell
1838-39-M.J.Schleiden & Schwann formulated Cell
Rudolf
Leeu
M.J.Schlei
Theory
Virchow
wenh
den
oekVirchow, Stated Omnis cellula-e-cellula
1855-Rudolf

Rober
t Hoo
k

Rober
t Bro
wn

Schwan
n

ORGANISMS MADE UP
OF?
Just as a building is made up of bricks the body of all
living organisms made up of cells.
Basing on the cellular organization some organisms are
made of single cells Unicellular Organisms e.g.
Chlamydomonas, Amoeba, Paramecium
Organisms which are made up of more than a cell
multicellular
Irrespective of unicellular or multicellular organisms
the cells perform similar basic functions for their
survival.

GADGETS TO STUDY
CELLS
Cells are too small to be seen by necked eye.
They are studied with the help of microscopes.
Microscopes are high resolution instruments that
are used for observing fine details of very small
objects
Two common types of microscopes

Light microscope-magnification range from 100-1500

Electron microscope- magnification range from 1 lakh5 lakhs

Shape and Size of

cells
Shape and size of cells vary but all of these are
ultimately determined by the specific function.
Some cell can change
their shapes amoeba, WBC
but plants and animals
have almost fixed shapes.
Smallest
ell=
PPLO(mycoplasma)
Largest Cell-Ostrich egg
Longest animal cell-Nerve
cell
A micrometer (m) or
micron is one thousandth
of a millimeter.

The Scale of Life

U N I C E L LU L A R V S.
M U LT I C E L LU L A R
Unicellular
Made of Single Cell
Single
cell
able
to
perform
all
the
life
processes like obtaining
food,
respiration,
excretion, growth and
reproduction.
Cannot be divided in to
cells, they are also called
acellular organisms
Amoeba, paramecium

Multicellular
Made up of many number
of cells
Cells have a similar basic
structure
and
similar
basic life activities
Different
shapes
and
aggregated
to
form
different tissues
Tissues form organs and
organs give rise to organ
system
that
perform
special function.
Plants,
Animals
and
Fungi

life
It performs all life function like intake of food
materials, excretion, metabolism, respiration,
irritability, etc.,
Division of Labour Cell usually possesses a
number of components called cell organelles.
Each cell organelle performs different functions
Clearing waste material
Protein synthesis
Lipid synthesis

What is Cell made

up of?
A cell is a tiny mass of protoplasm which is
surrounded by a membrane and is capable of
performing all function of life.
A typical cell is formed of three parts
Plasma
membrane-to
create
separate
environment
Nucleus-for its control
Cytoplasm-possessing metabolic machinery

Membrane
The outer most delicate elastic membranous covering
of the cell that separates its contents from the external
environment is called Plasma Membrane
Plasma Membrane is Selectively Permeable (it allows
entry of certain substance restricting others)
It is made up of a bi-lipid layer and proteins are
integrated in out and inside.
Small carbohydrates are attached at placed to outer
surface of lipids and proteins.
Functions- Shape to contents of cell, Mechanical
Barrier, Semi-Permeable, Endocytosis, Recognition
Centres, Flow of Information, Osmosis, Cell Continuity,
Modified to perform special functions like absorption in
microvilli.

Plasma
Membrane

SEM-Plasma membrane

Plasma membrane

Transport Across the

Membrane
Membranes
act
as
physical
barriers between the organelles
of a cell and its cytoplasm and its
surrounding environment.
Impermeable substances do not
pass through the membrane
Permeable both solute and
solvent can pass through
Semipermeable

membrane
permeable to solvent but prevents
solutes passage
Selectively
Permeable

if
membrane allows the passage of
solvent
and
some
selected
solutes.

Active & Passive

Transport
Substances may pass across the membrane
without or with expenditure of energy Active Transport - substances
pass the

membrane with consuming ATP

Passive
Transport-substances
pass
membrane without consuming ATP

the

Bulk Transport Large amounts of substances

and food particles across the plasma membrane
The process of bringing the bulk of materials
from outside by formation of endosomes is called
endocytosis.
Bulk expulsion of materials as in secretion and
excretion is called exocytosis.

Active Transport

Passive
Transport
Passive Transport is of two types
Diffusion
Osmosis

Diffusion The process of movement of substances

(solid, Liquid or Gas)from the region of higher
concentration to the region of its lower concentration
till spread uniformly in the given space is called
diffusion.

Diffusion
Demonstration

Importance of
Diffusion
Helps in spread of different
substances
throughout
cytoplasm of cell.
Osmosis is a type of diffusion
where only solvent is allowed
to diffuse.
Diffusion helps in exchange
of respiratory gases between
the
cells
and
their
environment.
Transpiration
is
diffusion
process
Flowers
spread
aroma
through diffusion to attract
insects and other animals for
pollination.

Osmosis
Defined as the diffusion of water or solvent across a
semipermeable membrane from a region of its higher
concentration to region of its lower concentration.
Plasma
membrane
functions
as
semipermeable
membrane.
Osmosi
s

Osmosis - demonstration

How Diffusion differs

from Osmosis ?

Diffusion
Diffusion

It
It can
can take
take place
place in
in
solid,
solid, liquid
liquid and
and gases.
gases.

It
It does
does not
not involve
involve any
any
semi
permeable
semi
permeable
membrane.
membrane.

equalizes
the
It
It
equalizes
the
concentration
of
concentration
of
substances.
substances.

substances
Different
Different
substances
diffuse
diffuse independent
independent of
of
one
one another
another

Diffusion
Diffusion is
is not
not much
much
influenced
by
the
influenced
by
the
presence
of
other
presence
of
other
substances
substances

Osmosis
Osmosis

It
It takes
takes place
place only
only in
in
liquid
liquid medium
medium

requires
semiIt
It
requires
semipermeable
permeable membrane.
membrane.

It
It does
does not
not equalize
equalize
the
the concentration
concentration of
of
solvent
solvent on
on the
the two
two
sides
sides of
of the
the membrane
membrane

solvent
Only
Only
solvent
undergoes
undergoes diffusion
diffusion

It
It is
is influenced
influenced by
by the
the
concentration
concentration and
and type
type
of
of solute
solute particles.
particles.

Types of Osmotic
Solutions
Osmotic solutions are those solutions which can cause
osmosis
They are three types
Hypotonic
Solution

Solution,

Isotonic

Solution

and

Hypertonic

Hypotonic which has an osmotic concentration lower

than another solution.
Isotonic The solution has an osmotic concentration
similar to another solution.
Hypertonic which has an osmotic concentration higher
than that of another solution.

Types of Osmosis
Osmosis is of two types
Endosmosis
Exosmosis

Endosmosis Osmotic entry of water in to the cell or

system
Exosmosis Osmotic withdrawal of water from a cell or
system
When we place the cell in higher concentration the
water comes out of the cell by a process called
exosmosis.
When we place the cell in lower concentration the
water enters in to the cell by a process called
endosmosis.

Exosmosis

Endosmos
is

Cell Wall
Rigid,
semi
elastic,
semi
transparent
and
protective
covering
present
outside
the
plasma membrane in plant cells,
fungi and prokaryotes.
Made up of Cellulose in plants, Plasmodesmata.
Fungal cellulose and Chitin in
fungi
Extra deposition of lignin, suberin
and cutin may be present during
secondary thickening
A cementing layer called middle
lamella is present between the
walls of two adjacent cells
Cell wall possesses small pores
through
which
adjacent
cells
remain
connected
called
Middle lamella.
Plasmodesmata.

What is the role of cell

wall?
It provides shape to the cells
It provides mechanical strength to plants
Protects against pathogens and mechanical injury
Growth of the cell wall determines the growth of the
cell
Cell wall prevents bursting of cell on endosmosis
Ability to withstand a lot of variation in nature.

membrane are similar in

function?
Cell Wall
occurs in plant cells
lies on the outside of
the cell
Rigid and thick
Cell
wall
is
permeable
Formed of Cellulose,
Hemi cellulose and
Pectin.
Provide
protection
and strength to the
cell

Plasma
Plasma Membrane
Membrane

Occurs
Occurs in
in plant
plant &
&
animal
animal cells
cells

Lies
Lies on
on the
the outside
outside of
of
animal
animal cells
cells and
and inside
inside
in
in plants
plants

Flexible
Flexible and
and thin
thin

Selectively
Selectively Permeable
Permeable

Lipids
Lipids and
and Proteins
Proteins
with
with small
small number
number of
of
carbohydrates
carbohydrates

Hold
Hold cellular
cellular contents
contents
and
and control
control of
of passage
passage
materials
materials

Nucleus The Cell

Brain
Dense
protoplasmic
body
that
contains
hereditary
information
controlling cell activities as well as for
transfer to next generation
It lies in median or central position
In mature plant cell it lies towards
periphery
In prokaryotes nuclear membrane is
absent
It is called Nucleoid.
Cells like RBC, Sieve Elements lack
Nucleus
Cells without Nucleus cannot survive
for longtime
One nucleus (uninucleate) is present
in most of cells but some cells may
have more than one (multi nucleate)

What is Nucleus made

up of?
Nuclear Envelop
Nucleoplasm
Nucleolus

Nuclear Envelop is a double

membrane
covering
which
separates the nucleus from
the cytoplasm. It contains
many Nuclear pores.
Nuclear pores allow exchange
of
materials
between
the
nucleus and cytoplasm
Nucleoplasm It is colorless,
dense sap found inside the
nucleus in which chromatin
and nucleolus are suspended.
Nucleolus a round structure
found in side the nucleus, it is
rich in RNA and protein. It is
site of ribosome formation.

THE NUCLEUS IS ENCLOSED

BY A DOUBLE MEMBRANE

Nuclear Pore ComplexDiagram

membrane are similar in

function?
Nucleus

Nucleolus
Nucleolus

It
It represent
represent the
the whole
whole
eukaryotic
eukaryotic complex
complex that
that
contains
genetic
contains
genetic
information
information

It
It is
is covered
covered by
by a
a two
two
membrane
membrane envelop
envelop

It
It controls
controls the
the structure
structure
and
and working
working of
of cells
cells

It
It is
is without
without a
a covering
covering
membrane
membrane

It
It synthesizes
synthesizes ribosomal
ribosomal
subunits
subunits

It
It is
is a
a
nucleus
nucleus

component
component

of
of

Chromatin Material An intervened mass of thread-like

structure made of DNA and Proteins.
During Cell
Division, Chromatin becomes highly condensed, thick
and rod like structures, Known as Chromosomes.

Chromosomes
Thread
like
structures
which
are
formed
by
condensation of chromatin during cell division are
called chromosomes they referred as hereditary vehicles
Chromosomes are made of DNA & Proteins
A chromosome consists of two similar threads called
Chromatids
Two chromatids are attached at the center by a
centromere
On either side of centromere chromatids are called
arms

ChromosomesNumber
Chromosome number is fixed for each species
In most organisms they occur in homologous pair
In each pair, one chromosome belongs to father parent
while other belongs to mother parent
Presence of two sets of chromosomes is called Diploid

2n=46 ( in human)

Presence of singe set of chromosomes is called Haploid

n=23 (in human)

Role of Nucleus in
a Cell
Nucleus contains all the genetic
information not only for the cell but
also the whole organism
It functions as control centre of the
cell as it controls cell metabolism
and cell activities
Ribosomes are formed by nucleolus
part of nucleus
Nucleus
us
brings
about
cell
differentiation by which a cell
attains a specific structure and
function.
Division of nucleus is essential for
cell division
Reshuffling of chromosomes and
changes in genes produce variations

Prokaryotes &
Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes (singular ) are a group of organisms that
lack a cell nucleus or any other membrane-bound
organelles. They differ from the eukaryotes, which
have a cell nucleus. Prokaryotes are the single-celled
organisms, such as bacteria, and are roughly one
micrometre in diameter.
A eukaryote is an organism whose cells contain
complex structures inside the membranes. The
defining
membrane-bound
structure
that
sets
eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the
nucleus, or nuclear envelope, within which the genetic
material is carried
Bacteria

Plant Cell

Prokaryotes &
Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus that houses its
genetic material.
Prokaryote cell consists of a large DNA molecule
compacted in an area of cytoplasm called the
nucleoid region.
The nucleoid region is protected and encased by
the cell wall, or cell membrane, the outer layering
of the cell (similar to human's skin). Finally,
Flagellum a rudder-like device, affords the
prokaryote the luxury of mobility.

Prokaryotes &
Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes

Small
Small in
in size,
size, 1-10m.
1-10m.

Organized
Organized nucleus
nucleus is
is
absent.
absent.

A
A single
single DNA
DNA molecule
molecule
is
is present
present suspended
suspended
in
cytoplasm,
in
cytoplasm,
nucleolus
nucleolus is
is absent
absent

Membrane
Membrane bound
bound cell
cell
organelles
organelles are
are absent
absent

Typical
Typical vacuoles
vacuoles are
are
absent
absent

Mitosis
Mitosis is
is absent
absent

Bacteria,
Bacteria,
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria

Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes

Larger
Larger in
in size,
size, 5-100
5-100
m
m

Organized
Organized nucleus
nucleus is
is
present
present with
with nuclear
nuclear
envelop,
envelop, Nucleolus
Nucleolus is
is
present,
present, several
several DNA
DNA
molecules
molecules are
are present
present

Membrane
Membrane bound
bound cell
cell
organelles
organelles are
are present
present

Typical
Typical vacuoles
vacuoles are
are
present
present

Mitosis
Mitosis is
is present
present

Plants,
Plants, Animals,
Animals, Fungi
Fungi

Eukaryotic (Animal
) Cell

Cytoplasm
The contents of a cell except for the nucleus. It
includes cytosol, organelles, vesicles, and the
cytoskeleton
Cytoplasm has two parts, cytosol and cell organelles
Cytosol
is the
fluid
part of
cytoplasm,
homogeneous and crystallocolloidal liquid that
contains substances water, ions, enzymes, vitamins,
amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins etc.,
Cell Organelles Submicroscopic structure which
are
specialized
to
perform
specific
cellular
functions.
Cell organelles may be bounded by a membrane as
in Eukaryotes but prokaryotes lack membrane bound
organelles
Virus lack cytoplasm as well as membrane

Endoplasmic
Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of
interconnecting membranes distributed throughout the
cytoplasm.
The internal compartment, called the lumen, is a
separate part of the cell with a distinct protein and ion
composition.
The ERs folding generates a surface area much greater
than that of the plasma membrane.
At certain sites, the ER membrane is continuous with
the outer nuclear envelope membrane.
Depending upon the presence or absence of ribosomes
on the surface, there are two types of E.R.
Rough E.R. Characterized by the presence of
ribosomes on its surface
Smooth E.R. Devoid of ribosomes on its surface

Endoplasmic
Reticulum

Functions of
E.R.
Protein Synthesis Rough E.R. is the site of Protein
synthesis
Lipid Synthesis Smooth E.R. helps in lipid synthesis
Proteins and lipids synthesized on E.R. are used for
making cell membrane
Transport helps in intercellular and intracellular
transport of substances
Support it gives internal support to the cytoplasm
SER in liver cells takes part in detoxifying many
poisons and drugs

RER
RER
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are
are present
present
Ribosomes are absent
Synthesize
Synthesize proteins
proteins
Synthesize lipids and

Formed
Formed by
by cisternae
cisternae
steroids

SER
SER

Mainly
formed
of
vesicles and tubules

Golgi Complex
Golgi complex is an organelle of membrane bound sacs,
tubules and vesicles secrete complex biochemical
Golgi is a single complex in animal cells.
In plants they form separate units called dictyosomes.
Membrane bound sacs of Golgi are called cisternae.
Cisternae occurs in stacks, tubes and vesicles occur on
their periphery

Golgi Apparatus

Functions of
Golgi
Golgi apparatus is involved in repair and
synthesis of cell membranes
Lysosomes are formed by Golgi apparatus
All types of substances which are to be secreted
or excreted are packed in vesicles by Golgi
apparatus for passage to the outside
Takes part in storage, modification and
packaging of various biochemical produced by
different components of the cell
Components of cell wall are synthesized by
Golgi apparatus
Complex and special sugars are made by Golgi
apparatus

Lysosomes

Lysosomes-suicide
bags
Lysosomes generally found in animal cells they lack
in plant cell
Are small spherical vesicles covered by single
membrane
contain
digestive
enzymes
for
intracellular digestion and waste disposal
These enzyme are synthesized by R.E.R
In damaged cell, lysosomes burst to release enzymes
for digestion of cellular components
Functions
Destruction of foreign particles
Lysosomes-Kuffer
Intracellular Digestion
cells
Removal of cell debris
Time of metamorphosis
Organs are digested by Lysosomes

Mitochondria (power House

of a Cell)
Mitochondria is rod-shaped cell organelles of aerobic
eukaryotes which take part in the Krebs cycle.
Commonly called Power House of the Cell because
they contain enzymes necessary for the total oxidation
of food and for release of high amount of energy in the
form of ATP
It is bounded by two membrane- outer membrane is
smooth and porous while inner membrane is folded
inwards to form Cristae
Cristae contains oxysomes they are partially embedded
in inner membrane
Mitochondria enclose a matrix having DNA, ribosomes
and enzymes.
DNA and ribosomes make the mitochondria semiautonomous as they are able to manufacture some of
their own proteins and enzymes.

Mitochondria

Lysosomes-suicide
bags

Plastids
Plastids are large cell organelles found only in plant
cells which are specialized to synthesize and store
organic substances.
Plastids are classified on the basis of pigment present
in them two types

Leucoplasts

colorless
plastids
(amyloplasts,
aleuroplast, elaioplasts
Chromoplasts Coloured
Green & Non green

Leucoplasts
Leucoplasts
Chromoplasts
(non
Plastids.
Chromoplasts
(non
plastids

colorless
colorless

Cylindrical
Cylindrical to
to round
round in
in
shape
shape

Found
Found in
in un
un exposed
exposed
cells
cells

Take
Take part
part in
in storage
storage of
of
food
food

Can
Can change
change to
to other
other
types
types

green)
green)

Brown
Brown or
or reddish
reddish in
in
colour
colour

Irregular
Irregular in
in shape
shape

exposed
&
un
in
in
exposed
&
un
exposed
exposed cell
cell

Do
Do not
not storage
storage food
food

Provide
Provide coloration
coloration of
of
organs
organs

Chloroplast-kitchen
the cell

of

Bounded by two membranes. Inside of chloroplast is

clearly marked into a colorless matrix called Stroma
and Membranous system called Grana.
Each granum consists of stack of membrane bounded,
flattened sacs called thylakoids
Thylakoids pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoids and
phycobillins
Stroma contains enzymes for dark reaction, DNA, RNA
and
ribosomes,
latter
make
the
chloroplasts
semiautonomous.
Chloroplast

Chloroplast

Lysosomes-suicide
bags

Plastids-functions
Chromoplasts provide color to fruits and flowers and
attract the animals to help in pollination and fruit
dispersal
Leucoplasts take part in storage of protein, starch and
oil
Chloroplasts trap solar energy to manufacture food
through photosynthesis
Oxygen is being consumed in combustion and
respiration. Carbon dioxide is being produced inn the
two process. Chloroplasts maintain the balance of the
two gases by absorbing carbon dioxide and oxygen in
photosynthesis.

Ribosomes-Translation
factory
Ribosomes are small rounded bodies found either in
free state in the cytoplasm or attached to the surface of
Endoplasmic Reticulum
They are composed of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and
proteins
They are not bounded by a membrane
They are present in both prokaryotes (70s=50s+30s)
eukaryotes (80s=60s+40s)
Absent in mammalian R.B.Cs.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis in the cell

Centrosome-central
apparatus

It is a small naked organelle

present near the nucleus in the
cells of animals and some lower
plants.
It
has
sheath
of
special
cytoplasm called centrosphere.
It encloses two micro cylinders
called centrioles.
Two centrioles like right angles
to each other.
It has nine triplet fibrils
present
obliquely
on
the
periphery.
They form astral spindle fibers
and produce basal bodies that
form cilia and flagella

Vacuoles-store house of the

cell
Membrane bound non-cytoplasmic sacs that contain
non-living solid or liquid contents. They are of three
types- sap vacuoles, food vacuoles and contractile
vacuoles
Covering membrane of sap vacuole is called tonoplast
The fluid filled content of the vacuole is called cell sap
or tonoplasm
Recently digestive enzymes are reported in vacuole of
plant cell

Vacuoles-store house of
the cell

Differences between Plant

and Animal Cell

Cell
Cell wall
wall is
is present
present

Plastids are present

Centrioles
and
centrosomes
are
absent
Vacuoles large and
less
Nucleus lie on one
side
Cell is rigid
Golgi
contains
dictyosomes
Larger in size
Starch is stored

absent
absent

absent
absent

and
Centrioles
Centrioles
and
centrosomes
are
centrosomes
are
present
present

Vacuoles
Vacuoles small
small and
and
many
many

Nucleus
Nucleus lies
lies in
in the
the
centre
centre

Cell
Cell is
is flexible
flexible

In
In the
the form
form of
of vesicles
vesicles

Smaller
Smaller in
in size
size

Glycogen
Glycogen is
is stored
stored

Plant and Animal Cell