The Fundamental Unit of Life

Class 9
1. What is a Cell?
Cell is the structural and functional unit of life.
2. Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit of life?
Cells form the structure of an entity. A group of cells form a tissue, further an organ and
ultimately an organ system. They perform fundamental functions and life processes such as
respiration, digestion, excretion etc. in both unicellular and multicellular entities. They
perform all the activities independently. Hence, cells are referred to as structural and
fundamental units of life.
3. Name the Types of Organisms on the Basis of Number of Cells
There are two kinds of organisms on the basis of cells:
(i) Unicellular Organisms: The organisms that are made up of single cell and may constitute a
whole organism, are named as unicellular organisms.
 For example: Amoeba, Paramecium, bacteria, etc.
(ii) Multicellular Organisms: The organisms which are composed of a collection of cells that
assume function in a coordinated manner, with different cells specialized to perform
particular tasks in the body, are named as multicellular organisms.
 For example: Plants, human beings, animals, etc.
4. Who discovered cells, and how?
Robert Hooke discovered cells in 1665 while examining a thin slice of cork through a self-
designed microscope. He saw that the cork resembled the structure of a honey comb
consisting of many little compartments. These small boxes are called cells.
5. State the Cell Theory:
Cell theory states that:
 All living organisms are composed of cells.
 Cell is the fundamental unit of life.
 All new cells come from pre-existing cells.

6. Write the discoveries about Cells.

Discoveries about Cells – The Fundamental Unit of Life

Discovered By Period of time What they discovered?
Robert Hooke 1665 noticed the presence of cells in a cork slice
Leeuwenhoek 1674 found the presence of living cells in the pond water
Robert Brown 1831 recognized the existence of a nucleus in the cell
Purkinje 1839 invented the term ‘Protoplasm’ which is the liquid present in a cell
Schleiden and
1838, 1839 presented the cell theory that all organisms are actually made up of cells
Schwann
Virchow 1855 suggested that all cells come from cells that already exist in nature

8. What are the functional regions of a cell?

There are three major functional regions of cells
 cell membrane or plasma membrane,
 nucleus and
 cytoplasm

7. How is prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?

The following are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
 S. No. Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell

Size of cell is generally small (1-10 mm). Size of cell is generally large (5-100 mm).
1.

2. Nucleus is absent. Nucleus is present.

3. It contains single chromosome. It contains more than one chromosome.
4. Nucleolus is absent. Nucleolus is present.
Membrane bound cell organelles are Membrane bound cell organelles such as
absent. mitochondria, plastids, endoplasmic
5.
reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, etc.,
are present.
Cell division takes place by fission or Cell division takes place by mitotic or
6.
budding. meiotic cell division.

9. Write a short note on Plasma membrane (cell membrane):

Plasma membrane is the outermost covering of the cell that separates the contents of the cell
from its external environment.
Plasma membrane is living, thin, delicate, elastic, selectively permeable membrane.
The plasma membrane is flexible and made up of organic molecules called lipids and proteins.
Functions:
Plasma membrane permits the entry and exit of some materials in the cells. It also prevents
movement of some other material. Therefore, the plasma membrane is called a selectively
permeable membrane.
10. What is diffusion?
“Diffusion is the spontaneous movement of molecules from a region of its higher concentration
to a region of its lower concentration.”
Example: movement of carbon dioxide and oxygen during respiration in organisms.
[Link] is Osmosis?
The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region
of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration is called osmosis.
12. How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell? Discuss.
CO2 moves by diffusion – These cellular waste accumulates in high concentrations in the
cell, whereas the concentration of CO2 in the external surroundings is comparatively lower.
This difference in the concentration level inside and out of the cell causes the CO 2 to diffuse
from a region of higher(within the cell) to a lower concentration.
H2O diffuses by osmosis through the cell membrane. It moves from a region of higher
concentration to a lower concentrated region through a selectively permeable membrane
until equilibrium is reached.
13. Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane?
The plasma membrane is called as a selectively permeable membrane as it permits the
movement of only a certain molecules in and out of the cells. Not all molecules are free to
diffuse.
14. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down?
If plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down then molecules of some substances will freely
move in and out of the cells. As plasma membrane acts as a mechanical barrier, exchange of
material from its surroundings through osmosis or diffusion in a cell won’t take place.
Consequently, the cell would die due to the disappearance of the protoplasmic material.
15. Write the components that make up the following cell organelles:
(i) Plasma membrane
(ii) Cell wall
(i) Plasma membrane is made up of lipids and proteins.
(ii) Cell wall is made up of cellulose.
[Link] is endocytosis?
The flexibility of the cell membrane enables the cell to engulf in food and other material
from its external environment. Such process is known as endocytosis.
17. What is plasmolysis?
When a living plant cell loses water through osmosis there is shrinkage or contraction of the
contents of the cell away from the cell wall. This phenomenon is known as plasmolysis.
[Link] would happen if we place cell in
a)Hypotonic solution: If the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration
than the cell, i.e., if solution is a very diluted solution, the cell will gain water by osmosis.
Such a dilute solution is called hypotonic solution.
Water molecule will pass across the plasma membrane in both directions, but more water
molecules will enter the cell .The cell will therefore, swell up and increase in volume. This
process is called endosmosis.
b)Isotonic solution: If the medium surrounding the cell is exactly the same water
concentration as the cell, there will be no net movement of water across the plasma
membrane resulting in no change in the size of the cell. Such a solution is called isotonic
solution.
c)Hypertonic solution : If the medium has a lower concentration of water than the cell, i.e.,
if it is very concentrated solution, the cell will lose water by osmosis. Such a concentrated
solution is called hypertonic solution.
In this case too, water crosses the plasma membrane in both the directions, but this time
more water leaves the cell than enter it. The cell will therefore, shrink and reduce in
volume. This process is known as exosmosis
19. Carry out the following osmosis experiment:
Take four peeled potato halves and scoop each one out to make potato cups. One of these
potato cups should be made from a boiled potato. Put each potato cup in a trough
containing water. Now,
(a) Keep cup A empty
(b) Put one teaspoon sugar in cup B
(c) Put one teaspoon salt in cup C
(d) Put one teaspoon sugar in the boiled potato cup D.
Keep these for two hours. Then observe the four potato cups and answer the following:
(i) Explain why water gathers in the hollowed portion of B and C.
(ii) Why is potato A necessary for this experiment?
(iii) Explain why water does not gather in the hollowed out portions of A and D.

(i) Water accumulates in the hollowed portions of B and C as a difference in the water
concentration is observed. Thereby, endosmosis occurs as the cells act as a semipermeable
membrane.
(ii) Potato A is essential in this experiment as it is significant to compare different scenarios
seen in potato cups B, C and D. The potato A in this experiment clearly shows that the
potato cavity on its own cannot bring about water movement.
 (iii) Cup in A does not show any change in the water flow concentration for osmosis to
occur, which requires the concentration to be higher than the other. Cells in cup D are dead,
thus there is no existence of a semipermeable membrane for water flow. Consequently,
osmosis does not occur.
20. How does fungi and bacteria can withstand much greater changes in the surrounding medium
than animal cells?
The cell wall present in fungi and bacteria permits these cells to withstand very dilute
external medium without bursting. The cells take up water by osmosis, swells, and builds
the pressure against the cell wall. The wall exerts an equal pressure against the swollen cell.
It is because of the cell wall, such cells can withstand much greater changes in the
surrounding medium than animal cells. Question 4. Give the function of nuclear membrane.
Answer: The nuclear membrane present as outer covering in the nucleus allows the transfer
of material inside and out of the nucleus to cytoplasm.
21. What is endocytosis?
The cell membranes flexibility allows the cell engulf in food and other material from its
external environment. This process is known as endocytosis.
E.g., Amoeba acquires its food through such processes.
22. When we put raisins in water, why do they swell?
Raisins are dry with less water inside, when they are kept in water,
osmosis takes place, water flows through the cell wall, cell membrane of the raisins and
therefore it swells.
23. What is nucleoid?
The nuclear region in some cells are poorly defined due to the absence of a nuclear
membrane, it contains only nucleic acid. This undefined nuclear region with nucleic acid in it
is called nucleoid. Question 12. What is the role, of cell organelles i
24. How does an Amoeba obtain its food?
Through the process of endocytosis, an Amoeba obtains its food. As its cell membrane is
flexible enough, food particles are engulfed forming a food vacuole girdling it which is
assisted by the pseudopodia. Amoeba secretes digestive enzymes to bring about digestion
of the engulfed particle once food is trapped.

25. What is the difference in chromatin, chromosomes and gene?

(1) Chromatin: It is a fine network of thread-like structure made up of DNA or RNA. It gets
condense to form chromosomes.
(2) Chromosome: The chromosomes are made from chromatin material and are located the
cell.
(3) Genes are found in chromosomes
26. Explain the structure and function of [Link]:
  The nucleus is a major, centrally located spherical cellular component. It is the centre
from where all cellular activities are controlled. It is the carrier of hereditary material
in the cell.
 It is bounded by two membranes, both forming a nuclear envelope. The nuclear
envelope contains many pores known as nuclear pores and encloses the liquid
ground substance, the nucleoplasm.
Nuclear pores
The nuclear pores allow transfer of materials between the nucleoplasm and the
cytoplasm. Within nucleoplasm are embedded two types of nuclear structures-
nucleolus and chromatin material.
Nucleolus:
 The nucleolus may be one or more in number ad is not bounded by any membrane.
 Nucleolus consists of DNA, RNA and protein.
 It is the site of ribosome formation. Nucleolus is known as factory of ribosomes.
Chromatin material:
 The chromatin is a thin, thread-like intermingled mass of chromosome material and
composed of the genetic substance DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and proteins .
 DNA stores all the information necessary for the cell to function (metabolism), to
grow and to reproduce further cells of the next generation.
 The chromatin is condensed into two or more thick ribbon-like chromosomes during
the division of cell.
 Functional segments of DNA are called genes.
 Genes carry information for protein synthesis, which in turn control the
development of characters. Since genes are present on chromosomes and
chromosomes pass from one generation to the next through, genes are
called hereditary units.
Functions of nucleus:
1. The nucleus controls all metabolic activities of the cell. If the nucleus is removed
from the cell, the protoplasm ultimately dries up and dies.
2. It regulates the cell cycle.
3. It is the storehouse of genes which are concerned with the development and
manifestation of all the body characters.
4. Nucleus helps in the formation of ribosomes and RNA.
5. It helps in the transmission of characters from one generation to the next.
27. Explain the structure and function of cell wall.
Cell wall:
 In plant cells, there occurs a rigid cell wall which lies outside the plasma membrane.
 Cell wall is thick, non-living and permeable covering made up of cellulose. Cellulose
is a kind of carbohydrate and it provides structural strength to the plant.
Functions:
1. Cell wall protects cell membrane and the internal structures of the cell.
2. It provides rigidity and determines the shape of the plant cell.
3. It prevents drying of the cell and helps it to bear unfavourable conditions.

4. It provides mechanical strength to the plant cells.

28. Explain the structure and functions of the following organelles:
a)Endoplasmic reticulum
The large network of membranous sheets and tubes is called endoplasmic reticulum.
They are filled with fluids and carries materials throughout the cell due to which it is also
called transport system of the cell.
It transports materials between the regions of cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm and
nucleus.
 It also provides a surface for some biochemical activities of cell.
It can be classified into two types:
o RER (Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum)
o SER (Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum)
The RER appears rough under a microscope as it is lined with ribosomes.
The ribosomes manufactures the proteins which are then transported throughout the cell
by the Endoplasmic Reticulum.
The SER appears smooth under microscope due to absence of ribosomes. It also
manufactures fat molecules or lipids that are important for proper functioning of cell and
detoxifies the poisons present in liver cells of vertebrates.
b)Golgi apparatus
The stacks of flattened membranous vesicles are called Golgi apparatus.
It basically stores, packs and modifies the products in vesicles.
It temporarily stores protein that moves out of the cell through the vesicles of the Golgi
apparatus.
It packs and transports the materials synthesised in Endoplasmic Reticulum to different
targets inside and outside the cell.
c)Lysosomes
The sac-like structures in a cell surrounded by membrane are called lysosomes.
They keep the cells clean by digesting and breaking the outside materials like bacteria, food
entering the cell or worn-out cell organelles into small pieces.
They can digest these organic materials due to the presence of strong digestive enzymes
that can break down organic compounds. Therefore, lysosome is also known as a suicide
sac.
Many scientists believe that lysosomes are not present in plant cells and their function of
lysosomes in plants is performed by vacuole.
d)Mitochondria
Mitochondria are round "tube-like" organelles that provide energy to a cell in the form of
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) for performing different chemical activities for the
sustainance of life.

Structure of mitochondria
The mitochondria is also called powerhouse of the cell.
It is surrounded by two membranes.
The outer membrane is porous whereas the inner membrane has deep folds that provides a
large surface to perform the chemical reactions required for the generation of ATP.
The inner membrane is compartmentalized into various cristae.
The ground substance or space enclosed by inner membrane is called matrix.
Mitochondria have their own DNA and ribosomes and are hence capable to produce some
of their required proteins all by themselves.
PLASTID:
 Plastid is a double membrane-bound organelle involved in the synthesis and storage of
food, commonly found within the cells of photosynthetic plants.
  They are necessary for essential life processes, like photosynthesis and food storage.
 A plastid containing green pigment (chlorophyll) is called chloroplast whereas a plastid
containing pigments apart from green is called a chromoplast. A plastid that lacks
pigments is called a leucoplast and is involved mainly in food storage.
They provide colour to fruits and flowers. They helps in storage of proteins, starch and oil.
They trap solar energy to manufacture food through the process of photosynthesis.
29. Can you name the two organelles we have studied that contain their own genetic material?
The two organelles which have their own genetic material are:
1. Mitochondria 2. Plastids
30. If the organisation of a cell is destroyed due to some physical or chemical influence, what
will happen?
The cell will not be able to revive and lysosomes will digest it.
31. Why are lysosomes known as suicide hags?
When the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst, and the enzymes digest their own cell.
Therefore lysosomes are known as suicide bags.
32. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no Golgi apparatus?
Golgi apparatus has the function of storage, modification and packaging of the products in
vesicles. If there were no Golgi bodies, packaging and dispatching of materials synthesised
by the cell will be stocked.
33. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?
Mitochondria is known as powerhouse of the cell because it releases the energy required
for different activities of life.
34. Where do the lipids and proteins constituting the cell membrane get synthesised?
Lipids and proteins are synthesised in ER [Endoplasmic Reticulum].
35. Why does mitochondria have largely folded inner membrane?
Mitochondria is the site for cellular respiration and provides energy to the cell. The largely
folded inner membrane provides the increased surface area for ATP-generating chemical
reactions.
36. What are cisterns?
The Golgi bodies consist of a system of membrane-bound vesicles arranged in stacks called
cisterns.
37. What is membrane biogenesis?
The endoplasmic reticulum helps in the manufacture of proteins and fat molecules or lipids
which are important for the cell function. These proteins and lipids help in the building of
the cell membrane. This process is known as membrane biogenesis.
38. Differentiate between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. How is endoplasmic
reticulum important for membrane biogenesis?
Rough endoplasmic reticulum Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
1. They have ribosomes attached on their 1. They do not have ribosomes attached on their
surfaces. surfaces
2. RER manufactures proteins and 2. SER helps in manufacturing lipids and
transports them to various places. transports them to various places.

Endoplasmic reticulum act as main site for synthesis of protein and lipids which are needed
for the biogenesis of plasma membrane.
39. Write a note on Golgi apparatus and the functions it performs.
Golgi apparatus or Golgi bodies or Golgi complex is composed of membrane-bound fluid-
filled vesicles, vacuoles and cisternae. In animal cells they are larger and only one or two in
number, while in plants they are smaller and more in number. Functions:
  It is involved in the transport and modification of protein, lipids as well as
carbohydrates.
 It helps in the formation of cell plate during cell division.
 It is also involved in the formation of cell wall, plasma membrane lysosomes and
peroxisomes.
 The material synthesised near endoplasmic reticulum is packaged and dispatched to
various targets and outside the cell through the Golgi apparatus.
[Link] the structure of chloroplast with a neat labelled
(i)Chloroplasts are double-membrane-bound structure. They are divided into outer and
inner membranes, further divided into two distinct regions: Grana and stroma.'
(ii) Between the outer and inner membranes, intermembrane space is present.
(iii) The inside of chloroplast is clearly marked into a colourless ground matrix called
stroma.
(iv) Stroma is homogeneous matrix in which grana is embedded. Stroma contains a
variety of photosynthetic enzymes, DNA and ribosomes. It is the site where all chemical
reaction occurs and starch (sugar) is synthesized.
(v) Grana are stacks of membrane bound, flattened sacs containing the molecules of
chlorophyll. One thylakoid stack is known as granum. Each thylakoid have chlorophyll
molecules on their surface that trap sunlight and take part in process of photosynthesis.
(vi) The stacks of grana are connected by stromal lamellae. The lamellae act like the
skeleton of chloroplast, keeping all sacs in safe distance from the other sacs. Grana are
main functional units of chloroplasts.

41. In brief state what happens when:

(a) dry apricots are left for some time in pure water and later transferred to sugar solution?
(b) A red blood cell is kept in concentrated saline solution?
(c) The plasma membrane of a cell breaks down?
(d) rheo leaves are boiled in water first and then a drop of sugar syrup is put on it?
(e) Golgi apparatus is removed from the cell?
Answer:
(a) The apricots swell due to osmosis initially and when transferred to sugar solution shrink
again due to exosmosis.
(b) RBCs shrink due to exosmosis.
(c) It would lead to scattering of cell organelles and there will be no functioning of the
organs.
(d) There will be no change in cell shape or size because the cells are dead due to boiling.
(e) Function of Golgi apparatus is packing, storing and transfer of protein. It would affect the
functioning of cell.
[Link] are ribosomes? Where are they located in the cell? What is their function?
Ribosomes are spherical organelles present in the cell which are either freely distributed in
the cytoplasm or may be attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. It consists of ribosomal
RNA (Ribonucleic acid) and proteins. Functions of Ribosomes: It helps in the synthesis of
proteins.
43. What is the function of vacuoles?
Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid content. In plant cells it provides turgidity and
rigidity to the cell. In single-celled organisms vacuoles store food, e.g., Amoeba.
44. Why do plant cells have more in number and big-sized vacuoles as compared to the animal
cells?
Plant cells attain turgidity and rigidity due to the more number of vacuoles as well as large-
sized vacuoles help the plant cells to withstand the wear and tear, external environmental
conditions. They also help in the storage of essential material required by plants for their
growth like amino acids, sugar and various organic substances.
45. Give five points of differences between plant cell and animal cell.

46. Draw a neat labelled diagram of plant cell and label its parts.

47. Draw a neat labelled diagram of animal cell.

48. Name the cell organelle for the following:
(a) Present only in plant cell, provides strength and rigidity to the cell.
Cell wall
(b) It is the site for lipids synthesis and helps in detoxification of drugs.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
(c) The inner membrane is folded to form cristae, it has its own DNA and proteins.
Mitochondria
(d) It helps in the formation of lysosomes.
Golgi apparatus
(e) It imparts colour to the fruit and flowers.
Chromoplast