VIRUSES ORGANISATION OF THE
ORGANISM
Main Features
• All viruses have a central core CELL STRUCTURE AND
of RNA (ribonucleic acid) or ORGANISATION
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
surrounded by a protein coat CELL STRUCTURE
(capsid) • All cells have a cell membrane.
• Viruses have no nucleus, • Cell membrane is a thin
cytoplasm, cell organelles or boundary enclosing the
cell membrane. cytoplasm.
• Virus particles are not cells • Most cells have a nucleus
because they do not feed,
respire, excrete or grow. A generalised Animal cell e.g. Liver
• However, viruses do reproduce cell
but only inside the cells of living
organisms, using materials
provided by the host cell
Generalised structure of a virus
CYTOPLASM
• The cytoplasm contains a thick
liquid with particles.
• The particles may be food
reserves like oil droplets or
starch granules.
• Other particles are structures
called organelles which perform
• Examples of virus with RNA special functions.
(retrovirus) are Influenza, SARS • The liquid part of cytoplasm is
(severe acute respiratory about 90% water, with
syndrome), Covid-19, Hepatitis molecules of salts, sugars, fats
C and E and proteins dissolved in it.
• Examples of virus with DNA are • Some of the proteins are
Herpes, smallpox, enzymes.
adenoviruses, chicken pox Function
• It is the place where many
chemical reactions take place
e.g. respiration, making proteins
for the cell (protein synthesis)
CELL MEMBRANE MITOCHONDRIA
• This is a thin layer of cytoplasm • It is a circular, oval or slipper-
around the outside of the cell shaped organelles in the
Functions cytoplasm
• Forms a barrier between the • They have an outer membrane
cell and its surroundings and an inner membrane, with
• Keeps contents of cell inside or many inward-pointing folds.
stops the cell contents from Function
escaping. • It is responsible for aerobic
• Allows simple substances like respiration to release energy
oxygen, food and water to enter
the cell and waste products like
carbon dioxide to leave the cell.
• Controls movement of other
substances into and out of cell.
E.g. glucose
• Maintains the structure and
chemical reactions of the
cytoplasm
NUCLEUS
• It is a rounded / spherical /
circular / oval structure in the
cytoplasm
• It is covered by a membrane RIBOSOMES
called nuclear membrane • They are small, circular
• Inside the nucleus are thread- structures attached to
like structures called membranes or lying free inside
chromosomes (DNA) the cytoplasm.
Functions Function
• It controls the type and quantity • It is the site for making proteins
of enzymes produced by the (protein synthesis)
cytoplasm.
• It regulates the chemical
changes that take place in the
cell (e.g. controls what the cell
will be like a blood cell, a liver
cell, a muscle cell or nerve cell)
• It controls cell division (e.g. how
new cells are produced)
PLANT CELLS
A generalised plant cell e.g.
Palisade cell
CHLOROPLASTS
• They are organelles that contain
the green substance called
chlorophyll.
Functions
• It traps light energy for
photosynthesis.
CELL WALL
• It stores starch
• It is the outer layer of the plant
cell and contains cellulose and
other compounds.
• It is non-living
Functions
• It stops cells from bursting when
they fill with water.
• It gives shape to cells
• It allows water and dissolved
substances to pass through
freely
VACUOLE
• It is a large, fluid-filled space in
the cytoplasm.
• It contains cell sap, a watery
solution of sugars, salts, and
sometimes pigments
DIFFERENCES
Functions
Plant cell Animal cell
• It is full of water to maintain
Cell wall present Cell wall absent
shape and firmness of cell
Chloroplasts Chloroplasts
• It stores salts and sugars
present absent
Large permanent Small vacuole,
vacuole do not contain
containing cell cell sap
sap
Permanent Shapes vary
shape
Bacterial Cell Structure SPECIALISED CELLS
• When cells have finished
Main Features dividing and growing, most
• Very small organisms that are become specialised and
single-cells have specific functions.
• Have cell walls made up of • Specialised cells (1) do one
peptidoglycan (a mixture of special job (2) develop a
proteins, sugars, and fats). distinct shape and (3)
• Inside the cell wall is the chemical changes take
cytoplasm which contains place in their cytoplasm.
granules (small particles of NOTE:
glycogen, fat, and other food • Changes in shape and the
reserves. chemical reactions enable the
• Large number of ribosomes cell to carry out its special
float freely in the cytoplasm function.
• Contains a simple chromosome • Specialisation of cells to carry
made up of a circular strand of out special functions in an
DNA. organism is sometimes called
• The chromosome is not “division of labour” within the
surrounded by a nuclear organism.
membrane.
• Have smaller circular structures Types of Specialised Cells and their
called plasmids (made of DNA). Functions
• Plasmids are used by scientists
in genetic modification Ciliated cells
(biotechnology) • Movement of mucus in the
• There are different shapes of trachea and bronchi.
bacteria: spherical, rod-shaped,
spiral etc.
Root hair cells Red blood cells
• Absorption of water and mineral • Transport of oxygen
salts from the soil
Sperm and egg cells (gametes)
• Reproduction
SPERM CELL
Palisade mesophyll cells
• Photosynthesis
EGG CELL
Neurones
• Conduction of electrical
impulses
TISSUES, ORGANS, ORGAN ORGAN SYSTEM
SYSTEM AND ORGANISM • Is a group of organs with related
functions working together to
TISSUE perform a body function. E.g.
• Is a group of cells with similar nervous system, circulatory
structures working together to system
perform a shared function. e.g.
bones, muscle, xylem,
epidermis
ORGAN
• Is a structure made up of a
group of tissues working
together to perform a specific
function. E.g. eye, brain, heart,
stomach, root, stem, leaves
ORGANISM
• Is a living thing that has an
organised structure, can react
to stimuli, reproduce, grow,
adapt, and maintain
homeostasis.