THE CELL
The cell is the smallest basic unit of life.
Unicellular organisms are only made up of a single cell e.g. amoeba, paramecium. Multicellular
organisms are made up of many cells e.g. man, cows, bean plant, etc.
The origin of new cells
New cells are formed from already existing cells by a process called cell division. The already existing cell
is called a parent/ mother cell; and the new cells formed are called daughter cells.
Animal cell Plant cell
Cell organelles and their functions 1.
Cell Membrane
Is the outer living part of a cell and it is found in all cells.
Its semi permeable i.e. has tiny holes through which only very small molecules like water can pass
through.
Functions
i. It allows movement of materials in and out of the cell.
ii. It regulates the shape and strength of a cell. iii. Offers protection to
the inner parts of the cell. iv. Binds protoplasm/ cytoplasm.
2. Cell Walls
It is found in plant cells and it is made up of cellulose (a nonliving substance) which gives it its rigid tough
nature.
Functions
It gives the plant cell its shape.
Protects the inner parts of the cell.
Allows movement of materials in and out of the cell.
It offers mechanical strength to the cell.
3. Nucleus
It is surrounded by double membrane called the nuclear membrane. Functions of a
nucleus
Controls cell activities.
Controls cell division
Stores the genetic material of a cell
Plays an active role in protein synthesis.
Functions of the nuclear membrane
Binds the nucleus
Separates the nucleus plasma from the cytoplasm.
Allows for the exchange of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
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4. Cell Vacuole
Contains a watery substance called cell sap and is surrounded by a single membrane called the tonoplast.
Each Plant cell possesses one large permanent central vacuole while each animal cell has many temporary
vacuoles.
Functions
i. Stores waste materials before they are expelled.
ii. It is a temporary food store.
iii. Gives shape to the cell.
5. Cytoplasm
It is a fluid material that contains many organelles e.g. mitochondria, nucleus etc.
Functions
i. Site for cell activities i.e. metabolic reactions.
ii. Site for storage of energy producing materials e.g. starch and glycogen.
6. Mitochondria
It is the cell power house and its function is to release energy through respiration.
7. Chloroplast
Found in only plant cells
Contains a green pigment called chlorophyll that traps sunlight for photosynthesis.
Similarities
i. Both have a nucleus. ii.
Both have mitochondria.
iii. Both have a vacuole. iv.
Both have a cytoplasm.
v. Both have a cell membrane.
Comparing a plant and animal cell
Differences: Plant cell Animal cell
i) Regular in shape Irregular in shape
ii) Has a cellulose cell wall. Lacks a cellulose call wall.
iii) Has chloroplast. Lacks chloroplast.
iv) Large vacuole centrally located. Cell vacuole very small and positioned at the
side.
v) Has a middle lamella. Lacks a middle lamella.
vi) Nucleus is positioned at one side. Nucleus centrally located.
vii) Store food as starch granules. Store food as glycogen granules.
viii) Has a tonoplast around the vacuole Has no tonoplast
ix) Has a Thin layer of cytoplasm Has a thick layer of cytoplasm
x) Has a permanent vacuole Has a temporary vacuole
SPECIALISED CELLS
These are cells modified to perform a particular function.
Examples of specialized cells in animals
i) Red blood cells in blood: These transport oxygen in our bodies.
ii) Sperm cells: These fuses with the ovum to form a zygote during fertilization
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iii) Ovum or egg: This is the female reproductive cell that fuses with a sperm to form a zygote.
iv) White blood cells: This defends the body against infections and diseases v) Platelets: These are used
for blood clotting.
Examples of specialized cells in plants i) Root
hair cells
They are found in plant roots
They absorb water and mineral salts from the soil
ii) Palisade cells
These are found in leaves of green plants. They carry out the process of photosynthesis iii) Guard
cells
They are found in green leaves
LEVELS OF ORGANISATION Cell ⟶ tissue ⟶ organ ⟶ organ system⟶organism Tissue
They control the opening and closing of stomata in leaves
A tissue is a group of similar cells linked together to perform a particular function.
A tissue may be made up of single type of cell or may comprise of different types of cells. E.g.
i) Blood tissue made up of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Blood transports
materials in the body and offers protection. ii) Nervous tissue made up of nerve cells. It transmits
impulses in the body.
iii) Muscular tissue made up of muscle cells which cause movement of body parts
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iv) Photosynthetic tissue made of palisade cells for photosynthesis.
Organ
An organ is a collection of tissues specialized in carrying out a specific function. An organ is made
up of different types of cells grouped together as a unit e.g. i) Eye for sight ii) Heart for pumping
blood iii) Ear for hearing iv) Kidney for purifying blood
v) Leaves for photosynthesis vi) Roots for
absorbing water and mineral salts
Organ system
An organ system is a collection of different organs performing a specific function(s) e.g. i)
Nervous system (Brain, Spinal cord), ii) Circulatory system (Heart, Lungs and Blood vessels),
iii) Digestive system (gullet, stomach, small intestines).
iv) Shoot system (leaves stems. flowers) v)
Root system (roots)
Organism
This is a collection of organ systems working together efficiently as a unit. E.g. man, cow, banana plant,
etc.
Showing specialized cells