Cell Structure – Complete Notes for ICAR AICE JRF/SRF ------------------------------------------------------
■ Introduction - Cell: Basic structural, functional, and genetic unit of all living organisms. - Cell
Theory (Schleiden & Schwann, 1838–39): 1. All living organisms are made up of cells. 2. Cell is the
structural and functional unit of life. 3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells (Virchow, 1855).
■ Types of Cells 1. Prokaryotic (Bacteria, Cyanobacteria) - No true nucleus; DNA is naked and
circular. - No membrane-bound organelles. - Example: E. coli, Anabaena.
2. Eukaryotic (Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists) - True nucleus with nuclear membrane. -
Membrane-bound organelles present. - Example: Plant cell, Animal cell.
■ Cell Size & Shape - Smallest: Mycoplasma (~0.1 µm). - Largest animal cell: Ostrich egg. - Shape
varies: Amoeba (irregular), RBC (biconcave).
■ Cell Components and Key Scientists
1■■ Cell Wall (Plants, Fungi, Bacteria) - Layers: Primary wall (cellulose), Secondary wall (lignin). -
Middle lamella (calcium pectate) cements cells. - Discovered by Robert Hooke (1665).
2■■ Plasma Membrane - Semi-permeable, fluid mosaic. - Composition: Lipid bilayer with proteins.
- Singer & Nicolson (1972): Fluid Mosaic Model. - Functions: Selective transport, cell signaling.
3■■ Cytoplasm - Colloidal matrix holding organelles. - Cyclosis (cytoplasmic streaming) in plants.
4■■ Nucleus - Components: Nuclear envelope, nucleoplasm, chromatin, nucleolus. - Contains
DNA, controls cell activities. - Robert Brown (1831): Discovered nucleus. - Chromatin →
Euchromatin (active) & Heterochromatin (inactive).
5■■ Mitochondria – Powerhouse of cell - Double membrane; inner membrane forms cristae. - Own
DNA, 70S ribosomes. - Site of aerobic respiration (ATP synthesis). - Discovered by Richard
Altmann (1890).
6■■ Plastids (Plants Only) - Types: - Chloroplasts – photosynthesis (green). - Chromoplasts –
pigments (red, yellow). - Leucoplasts – storage (amyloplast, elaioplast). - Discovered by A.F.W.
Schimper (1883).
7■■ Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) - Rough ER: Ribosomes attached, protein synthesis. - Smooth
ER: Lipid metabolism, detoxification. - Discovered by Porter (1945).
8■■ Ribosomes – Protein factories - rRNA + proteins. - 70S (Prokaryotes, mitochondria,
chloroplasts), 80S (Eukaryotic cytoplasm). - Discovered by George Palade (1955).
9■■ Golgi Apparatus - Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins. - Forms lysosomes. - Discovered by
Camillo Golgi (1898).
■ Lysosomes - Single-membrane, hydrolytic enzymes (acid hydrolases). - Intracellular digestion,
autolysis. - Discovered by Christian de Duve (1955).
1■■1■■ Vacuoles - Membrane: Tonoplast. - Plant cells: Large central vacuole (storage, turgor). -
Animal cells: Small, temporary.
1■■2■■ Cytoskeleton - Microtubules (tubulin), microfilaments (actin), intermediate filaments. - Cell
shape, intracellular transport.
1■■3■■ Centrosome & Centrioles - Animal cells only. - Organizes spindle during cell division.
1■■4■■ Peroxisomes & Glyoxysomes - Peroxisomes: Oxidative enzymes (catalase). -
Glyoxysomes: Fat→sugar (germinating seeds).
■ Special Structures - Mesosomes: Infoldings of prokaryotic plasma membrane (respiration). -
Pili/Fimbriae: Attachment in bacteria. - Plasmids: Extra-chromosomal DNA in bacteria.
■ Plant vs Animal Cell Quick Table - Cell wall: Present in plants, absent in animals. - Plastids:
Present in plants, absent in animals. - Vacuole: Large central in plants, small or absent in animals. -
Centrioles: Absent in higher plants, present in animals. - Energy reserve: Starch in plants, glycogen
in animals.
■ Key Concepts & Examples - Endosymbiotic Theory (Lynn Margulis): Origin of mitochondria &
chloroplasts. - Fluid Mosaic Model: Membrane dynamic nature. - Apoptosis: Programmed cell death
– lysosomes & mitochondria role. - Cell Junctions: Tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions.
■ Quick Scientist List - Cell: Robert Hooke (1665) - Nucleus: Robert Brown (1831) - Cell Theory:
Schleiden & Schwann (1838–39) - Cell Division: Walther Flemming (mitosis) - Ribosome: George
Palade (1955) - Mitochondria: Richard Altmann (1890) - Golgi Body: Camillo Golgi (1898) -
Lysosome: Christian de Duve (1955) - Chloroplast: A.F.W. Schimper (1883)
■ Exam Tips for ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF - Revise differences between prokaryotic vs eukaryotic and
plant vs animal cell. - Memorize sizes: Ribosomes (70S/80S), cell dimensions. - Focus on scientist
discoveries & functions of each organelle. - Practice MCQs on cell division stages (mitosis/meiosis).
■ Summary Mnemonic for major organelles: “Rough Smooth Giant Mighty Plants Like Clean New
Cells.” (Rough ER, Smooth ER, Golgi, Mitochondria, Plastids, Lysosome, Chloroplast, Nucleus,
Cytoskeleton)