Chapter Notes: The Invisible Living World
– Beyond Our Naked Eye
1. What is a Cell?
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life.
All living organisms are made up of cells.
Cells perform all life processes such as nutrition, respiration, excretion, growth, and
reproduction.
Discovery of Cells
Scientist Contribution
Observed cork under a microscope and named tiny compartments
Robert Hooke (1665)
"cells"
Antonie van
First to observe living cells and microorganisms
Leeuwenhoek
Schleiden & Schwann Proposed the Cell Theory
Cell Theory
1. All living organisms are made of cells.
2. The cell is the basic unit of life.
3. New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
2. Structure of a Cell
Cell Membrane
Thin outer covering of the cell.
Controls entry and exit of substances.
Also called the Plasma Membrane.
Functions
✔ Protects the cell
✔ Gives shape
✔ Regulates movement of materials
Cytoplasm
Jelly-like substance inside the cell.
Contains organelles.
Functions
✔ Site of chemical reactions
✔ Supports cell organelles
Nucleus
Control centre of the cell.
Contains chromosomes and genes.
Functions
✔ Controls all cell activities
✔ Stores hereditary information
✔ Helps in cell division
Mitochondria
"Powerhouse of the Cell"
Functions:
✔ Produces energy
✔ Carries out respiration
✔ Converts food into usable energy
Vacuoles
Storage sacs in cells.
Functions
✔ Store food
✔ Store water
✔ Store wastes
Cell Wall
Found only in plant cells.
Functions:
✔ Provides protection
✔ Gives shape
✔ Gives rigidity
Made of cellulose.
Plastids
Found only in plant cells.
Chloroplasts
Contain chlorophyll.
Functions:
✔ Perform photosynthesis
✔ Help plants make food
3. Differences Between Plant and Animal
Cells
Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell Wall Present Absent
Chloroplasts Present Absent
Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell
Vacuole One large vacuole Small or absent
Shape Fixed/rectangular Irregular/round
Food Making Can make food Cannot make food
Important Exam Question
How do plant and animal cells differ?
Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole. Animal cells lack a cell
wall and chloroplasts and have small or no vacuoles.
4. Variety in Cells
Based on Number of Cells
Unicellular Organisms
Made of one cell.
Examples:
Amoeba
Paramecium
Bacteria
One cell performs all functions.
Multicellular Organisms
Made of many cells.
Examples:
Humans
Trees
Dogs
Elephants
Different cells perform different functions.
Cell Shapes
Cell Type Shape Function
Nerve Cell Long and branched Carry messages
Muscle Cell Spindle-shaped Movement
Red Blood Cell Disc-shaped Transport oxygen
5. Levels of Biological Organization
Living organisms are organized in levels.
Hierarchy
Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
Example (Human Body)
Cell
↓
Muscle Tissue
↓
Heart
↓
Circulatory System
↓
Human Being
Definitions
Cell
Basic unit of life.
Tissue
Group of similar cells performing the same function.
Example:
Muscle tissue
Nervous tissue
Organ
Group of tissues working together.
Examples:
Heart
Lungs
Stomach
Organ System
Group of organs working together.
Examples:
Digestive System
Respiratory System
Circulatory System
Organism
A complete living being.
Examples:
Human
Dog
Mango Tree
6. Microorganisms
Microorganisms are living things too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Also called Microbes.
Found in:
Air
Water
Soil
Food
Inside living organisms
7. Types of Microorganisms
1. Bacteria
Single-celled organisms.
Have cell walls.
Examples:
Lactobacillus
Rhizobium
2. Viruses
Smallest microorganisms.
Characteristics:
✔ Reproduce only inside a host cell
✔ Cause many diseases
✔ Show characteristics of both living and non-living things
Examples:
Polio virus
Influenza virus
3. Protozoa
Single-celled, animal-like organisms.
Examples:
Amoeba
Paramecium
4. Algae
Plant-like microorganisms.
Contain chlorophyll.
Examples:
Spirogyra
Chlorella
5. Fungi
Do not perform photosynthesis.
Examples:
Yeast
Bread mould
Mushroom
8. Beneficial Effects of Microorganisms
A. Environmental Cleaning
Bacteria and fungi act as decomposers.
They:
Break down dead plants and animals.
Recycle nutrients.
B. Food Production
Lactobacillus
Converts milk into curd.
Yeast
Used in baking.
Produces carbon dioxide which makes bread rise.
C. Improving Soil Fertility
Rhizobium
Fixes nitrogen in soil.
Blue-Green Algae
Increase soil fertility.
D. Oxygen Production
Microalgae produce more than 50% of Earth's oxygen.
9. Harmful Effects of Microorganisms
Food Spoilage
Microorganisms spoil food and make it unsafe.
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms
Disease Caused By
Common Cold Virus
Influenza Virus
Polio Virus
Ringworm Fungus
1. How do plant and animal cells differ?
Plant cells possess a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole. Animal cells lack a
cell wall and chloroplasts and have small or no vacuoles.
2. Explain how microorganisms can be both harmful and beneficial.
Microorganisms are beneficial because they help make food, decompose waste, improve soil
fertility, and produce oxygen. They are harmful because they spoil food and cause diseases
such as influenza, common cold, polio, and ringworm.
3. What is the relationship between cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems?
Cells are the basic units of life. Similar cells form tissues. Different tissues combine to form
organs. Several organs work together to form organ systems, and all organ systems together
make a complete organism.
Quick Revision Box
Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism
Powerhouse of Cell: Mitochondria
Control Centre: Nucleus
Photosynthesis: Chloroplast
Cell Wall Present In: Plant cells only
Curd Formation: Lactobacillus
Bread Making: Yeast
Nitrogen Fixation: Rhizobium
Smallest Microorganism: Virus