CHAPTER 2 – CELL
Structural and Functional Unit of Life
1. Cellular Level of Organization
-The cell is the smallest living unit of the human body.
-The human body has about 100 trillion cells.
-Cells perform all life activities like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
-The body has about 200 different types of cells.
---
2. Types of Cells
A. Prokaryotic Cells
-Found in bacteria
-No true nucleus
-No membrane-bound organelles
-Less developed
B. Eukaryotic Cells
-Found in plants and animals
-True nucleus present
-Membrane-bound organelles present
-More developed
---
3. Basic Structure of a Cell
-A cell has three main parts:
1. Plasma membrane
2. Cytoplasm
3. Nucleus
---
4. Plasma Membrane (Cell Membrane)
•Structure:-
-Made of phospholipid bilayer
•Phospholipids have:
-Hydrophilic head (water loving)
-Hydrophobic tail (water repelling)
-Proteins are embedded in lipid layer
Fluid Mosaic Model
-Given by Singer and Nicholson
-Membrane is fluid and proteins move like a mosaic
•Functions
-Protects cell
-Selectively permeable
-Controls entry and exit of substances
-Helps in cell communication
• Transport Across Cell Membrane
Definition
-Transport across the cell membrane refers to the movement of substances
such as ions, nutrients, drugs, and waste materials into and out of the cell
through the plasma membrane, which is selectively permeable.
---
Types of Transport Across Cell Membrane
1. Passive Transport
-Does not require energy (ATP)
-Occurs from high to low concentration
Types:
-Simple diffusion – gases and lipid-soluble substances
-Facilitated diffusion – uses carrier proteins (e.g. glucose)
-Osmosis – movement of water through semipermeable membrane
---
2. Active Transport
-Requires energy (ATP)
-Occurs against concentration gradient (low → high)
Types:
-Primary active transport – uses ATP directly (Na⁺/K⁺ pump)
-Secondary active transport – uses ion gradient
-Symport (same direction)
-Antiport (opposite direction)
---
3. Vesicular Transport
-Used for large molecules
Types:
-Endocytosis – movement into cell
-Phagocytosis (cell eating)
-Pinocytosis (cell drinking)
-Exocytosis – movement out of cell
---
Importance
-Nutrient absorption
-Removal of waste
-Drug transport
-Maintains cell homeostasis
---
Conclusion
-Transport across the cell membrane is essential for cell survival and proper
functioning, and it occurs through passive, active, and vesicular
mechanisms.
• Cell Division
Definition
-Cell division is the biological process by which a parent cell divides to form
new daughter cells. It is essential for growth, repair, reproduction, and
maintenance of the body.
---
Types of Cell Division
-Cell division is mainly of two types:
1. Mitosis
2. Meiosis
---
1. Mitosis
-Occurs in somatic (body) cells
-Also called equational division
-Produces two genetically identical daughter cells
-Chromosome number remains same as parent cell
Stages of Mitosis
1. Prophase – chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane disappears
2. Metaphase – chromosomes align at equatorial plate
3. Anaphase – sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles
4. Telophase – nuclear membrane reforms, chromosomes decondense
5. Cytokinesis – cytoplasm divides
Functions of Mitosis
-Growth of body
-Repair of tissues
-Replacement of old cells
---
2. Meiosis
-Occurs in reproductive (germ) cells
-Also called reduction division
-Produces four haploid daughter cells
-Chromosome number is reduced to half
Stages
Meiosis I – reduction division
Meiosis II – similar to mitosis
Functions of Meiosis:-
-Formation of gametes
-Genetic variation
-Maintains chromosome number in species
---
Importance of Cell Division
-Growth and development
-Tissue repair
-Reproduction
-Genetic continuity
---
Conclusion
-Cell division is a vital process that ensures growth, repair, and reproduction
in living organisms through mitosis and meiosis.