BIOLOGY Chapter 1
CELLS
1.1 Plant cells
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INTRODUCTION
If you study a plant by observing part of it through a microscope, you will see tiny “boxes”
called cells. All living organisms are made of cells.
Structure of a palisade mesophyll cell
←This diagram shows a plant cell from a leaf.
The structure of a palisade mesophyll cell contains many subcellular structures such as the cell
wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, sap vacuole, chloroplast and mitochondrion.
Cell Wall
Every plant cell has a cell wall.
● Provides a fixed shape to the cell and protects it.
● Strong and stiff.
● Made of cellulose.
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Cell membrane
All cells have a cell membrane.
● Thin and flexible.
● Lies along the inner edge of the cell wall.
● Controls what enters or exits the cell.
Cytoplasm
All cells have cytoplasm.
● Like clear jelly.
● Chemical reactions happen inside to keep the cell alive.
Nucleus (plural: nuclei)
Most cells have a nucleus.
● Controls the activities of the cell.
● Reproduces cells.
● Contains DNA and chromosomes.
Sap Vacuole
Certain plant cells have sap vacuoles.
● Larga, fluid-filled space inside a plant cell.
● Contains a solution of sugars and other substances dissolved in water (cell sap).
Chloroplast
Plant cells that are in the sunlight often contain chloroplasts.
● The location where plants make their food.
● Chloroplasts look green because they contain chlorophyll to photosynthesise.
Chloroplasts contain a green substance called chlorophyll to help with photosynthesis.
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Mitochondrion (plural: mitochondria)
All plant cells have mitochondria. (Some animal cells have mitochondria too)
● Energy is released from food here.
*This process is called respiration. Respiration is the noun form, respire is the verb form,
while respiratory is the adjective form.
1.2 Animal Cells
All animals are also made of cells. Approximately 100 trillion (100 000 000 000 000) cells are in
our body. Animal cells are similar to plant cells in several ways. They have a cell membrane,
cytoplasm, mitochondria and a nucleus.
1.3 Specialised Animal Cells (Notes)
Red blood cells
Red blood cells are made of cell membranes and cytoplasm.
● Smaller size and biconcave shape allows them to get through tiny blood capillaries.
● Delivers oxygen to every part of the body.
● Has no nucleus (leaves space for more haemoglobin).
Neurones
Neurones are made of a nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, dendrite and axon.
● Carry electrical signals/impulses from one part of the body to another.
● Helps all the different parts of the body to communicate with each other.
Example: They carry signals from the brain to the muscles to make the muscles move.
Ciliated cells
Ciliated cells are made of cilia, cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm.
● Contain tiny threads (cilia) along one edge of the cell.
● Usually found in the lining of the trachea/windpipe.
● Sweeps the mucus that traps bacteria and dust particles up to the back of your mouth
and you swallow it.
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Specialised Animal Cells (Pictures)
Specialised Plant Cells (Notes)
Root hair cells
Root hair cells are made of a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, a nucleus and a sap vacuole.
● Found on the outside of plant cells.
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● Absorb water and minerals from the soil.
● Each root hair cell has a long, thin extension that allows water to move easily from the
soil in to the cell.
Palisade Cells
Palisade cells are made of a cell wall, cell membrane, mitochondria, cytoplasm, chloroplast and
a nucleus.
● Found in the leaves of plants.
● Makes food by photosynthesis.
● Have a lot of chloroplasts containing chlorophyll.
● The chlorophyll in the chloroplasts absorbs energy from sunlight, which is used to help
the plant make food (photosynthesise).
Specialised Plant Cells (Pictures)
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1.4 Tissues, organs and organ systems
Tissues are a group of similar cells, which all work together to carry out a particular function.
This is a diagram of the onion epidermis which covers the surface of the layers inside the onion.
This is a diagram of ciliated epithelium, which are the tissues that line the tubes leading down
to our lungs. The cilia all wave together like grass in the wind.
Organs
Organs are structures made of many different tissues.
Organ systems
Organ systems are a group of organs that carry out a particular function.
Summary:
Tissues → Organs → Organ systems → Organisms