CELL: FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
CELL
All living forms are composed of microscopic units called as “Cells”. A cell is
the basic structural and functional unit of all life forms.
Study of structure and composition of cell is called as “Cytology”.
Cell was first observed by “Robert Hooke” in a dead cork slice in the year
1665. He described about this in his book “Micrographic”.
The word cell was derived from a Greek word “Cellulae” which means small
room. First living cell was discovered by A.V. Leeuwenhoek.
The term protoplasm was coined by purkinje in 1839. Protoplasm was
discovered by “Felix Dujardin” and named as sarcode.
It’s consistency differs under different condition. It exists in sol-gel states.
Protoplasm is an aggregate of various chemicals such as water, ions, salts and
other organic molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids,
vitamins etc.
CELL THEORY
Two biologists, “Schleiden and Schwann” gave the “Cell theory” which was later
on expanded by “Rudolf Virchow ”. Cell theory states that
All plants and animals are composed of cells.
Cell is the basic unit of life.
All cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Viruses are the exceptions of cell theory.
TYPES OF CELL & ORGANISM
(a) On the Basis of Number of Cells Organisms can be categorized as:
(i) Unicellular organisms: These are organisms which made up of single cell
only. This single cell Performs all the vital body functions of an organism. e.g.
Amoeba
(ii) Multicellular organisms: These are the organisms which made up of
numerous cells. These cells then combine to form an organ and group of
organs performing different functions forms an organ system which further
forms an organism. e.g. plants and animals
(b) On the basis of type of organization, cells are two types :
(i) Prokaryotic cells: these are primitive and incomplete cells. They have less
developed nucleus without nuclear membrane & nucleolus. e.g. Bacteria.
(ii) Eukaryotic cells: these are well developed cells. They have advanced
nucleus with unclear membrane and nucleolus. e.g. Plants & animals.
CELL SHAPE
Cells are of variable shapes and sizes. Their shape is according to the
function.
Generally cells are spherical but they may be elongated (nerve cell),
branched (pigmented), discoidal (RBC), spindle shaped (muscle cell) etc.
CELL SIZE
Size of cell is variable depending upon the type of organism. Some are
microscopic while some are visible with naked eyes. Their size may vary from
0.2 µm to18 cm.
Size of a typical cell in a Multicellular organism ranges from 20-30 mn.
The largest cell is ostrich egg(15 cm. in dia with shell & 8 cm. in dia without
shell)
The longest cell is nerve cell.(upto 1m. or more) Smallest cells so far
known are PPLOs e.g. mycoplasma (0.1 µm in dia.) Human egg is 0.1 mm. in
dia.
FUNCTIONS OF A CELL
Cells perform a variety of functions that are important for the growth and
development of an organism, including:
Structure and support: Cells provide the structural basis of all organisms.
Growth: Cells facilitate growth during mitosis.
Energy production: Cells convert nutrients from food into energy.
Transport: Cells import nutrients and get rid of waste products.
Metabolism: Cells are responsible for all the chemical reactions that take
place inside an organism to keep it alive.
Reproduction: Cells help in reproduction by the processes of mitosis and
meiosis.
Cell division: Cells divide to make new cells for growth, repair, and
replacement in the body.
Protein synthesis: Cells are involved in protein synthesis.
RNA processing: Cells are involved in RNA processing.
INTRODUCTION TO PLANT CELL AND ANIMAL CELL
PLANT CELL
“Plant cells are eukaryotic cells with a true nucleus along with specialized
structures called organelles that carry out certain specific functions.”
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental factors from
other eukaryotic organisms.
Both plant and animal cells contain a nucleus along with similar organelles.
One of the distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall
outside the cell membrane.
The plant cell is rectangular and comparatively larger than the animal cell.
Even though plant and animal cells are eukaryotic and share a few cell
organelles, plant cells are quite distinct when compared to animal cells as they
perform different functions.
Some of these differences can be clearly understood when the cells are
examined under an electron microscope.
ANIMAL CELL
“An animal cell is a type of eukaryotic cell that lacks a cell wall and has a
true, membrane-bound nucleus along with other cellular organelles.”
Animal cells range in size from a few microscopic microns to a few millimetres.
The largest known animal cell is the ostrich egg, which can stretch over 5.1
inches across and weighs about 1.4 kilograms.
This is in stark contrast to the neuron in the human body, which is just 100
microns across.
The shape of animal cells also varies, with some being flat, others oval or rod-
shaped.
There are also more intriguing shapes such as curved, spherical, concave and
rectangular.
Most of the cells are microscopic in size and can only be seen under the
microscope.
As stated before, animal cells are eukaryotic cells with a membrane-bound
nucleus.
Furthermore, these cells exhibit the presence of DNA inside the nucleus.
They also comprise other membrane-bound organelles and cellular structures
which carry out specific functions necessary for a cell to function properly.
Animal cells are generally smaller than plant cells.
Another defining characteristic is its irregular shape. This is due to the
absence of a cell wall.
But animal cells share other cellular organelles with plant cells as both have
evolved from eukaryotic cells.
ACTIVITY
1. Define cell?
2. Who discovered cells?
3. Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit of life?
4. What are the types of cells?
5. List 5 functions of a cell?
6. Draw the structure of plant cell.
7. Can you draw animal cell?
ALL THE BEST