BIOLOGY NOTES
CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
CELL is a basic unit of life. The simplest living organisms have one cell only and they are
called UNICELLULAR organisms. e.g. Bacteria
Most living organisms are made up of many cells and they are called MULTI CELLULAR
organisms.
Cell structure
All cells are made up of the following structures in common
Cytoplasm- a jelly like structure in which the chemical reactions (metabolic reactions) of the
cell take place
Cell membrane- a selectively permeable membrane that controls what enters and leave the
cell
Nucleus- contains the genetic material. It controls all activities taking place in the cell.
Ribosome- bead like structure. It is site for protein synthesis.
Mitochondrion- Site for respiration
PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 1
DIFFERENCES
PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
Has chloroplasts Does not have chloroplasts
Has a cellulose cell wall Does not have a cell wall
Has large and permanent vacuole May have small and temporary vacuoles called
vesicles
Chloroplast- Site for photosynthesis
-Produces chlorophyll
Cellulose cell wall - A freely permeable tough cellulose wall that protects the cell from
physical damage.
-gives the cell a rigid and defined shape
Vacuole - contains a cell sap, a solution made up of dissolved sugars, mineral salts and amino
acids. It gives shape to the cell. It contains water that gives turgor pressure for support of the
cell.
CELL SPECIALISATION AND ORGANISATION
Specialisation means a Cell does a particular job. For a cell to do a specific job it has to be
modified to suit the function.
There is a relationship between the structure of a cell and it function
Examples of specialised cells in plants
i) ROOT HAIR CELL
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 2
FUNCTION: absorbs water and mineral salts from the soil
Anchors the plant
ADAPTATION
-It has a cytoplasmic protrusion/extension which creates a large surface for the uptake of
water and mineral salts
- The cytoplasmic protrusion/extension also penetrates between soil particles to absorp water
ans mineral salts.
- It is thin walled to speed up absorption of water of water and mineral ions-It has a
concentrated cell sap than the soil which creates a great water diffusion gradient to allow
water uptake by osmosis
ii) XYLEM CELLS
FUNCTION: conduct water and minerals from the roots up the plant
Provide mechanical support to the plant
ADAPTATION: Dead cytoplasm and no end to end to allow free movement of water up the
plant
-Walls have water prove lignin to ensure unidirectional movement of water
-Lignified also to make them strong so that they are able to withstand water pressure
and provide support to the plant
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 3
iii) Palisade cells
FUNCTION: site for photosynthesis
ADAPTATION: Large number of chloroplast which produces chlorophyll required to trap
light energy needed for photosynthesis
iv) PHLOEM CELL
FUNCTION Conducts soluble food substances from the leave to the rest of the plant
ADAPTATION
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 4
Consists of sieve plates: allow conduction of food with less resistance
Have companion which consist of numerous mitochondria: This provide energy need to
transport food by active transport.
v) GUARD CELLS
FUNCTION: open or close the stomatal pore in the leaf
ADAPTATION
Has a thick in elastic inner wall (bordering the pore|) and a thin elastic outer wall
In the light the guard cells take up water and become turgid, which causes the thin outer
walls to bulge outwards and the thicker inner walls to bend along them. This gives the
guard cells a curved like banana shape and opens the pore. In the dark the guard cells
become flaccid and the pore closes.
Examples of specialised cells in animals
i) Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 5
FUNCTION: Carry oxygen around the body
ADAPTATION:
- Biconcave discs to create a large surface area for more oxygen absorption
- Consiat of spongy cytoplasm in an elastic membrane for more oxygen absorption
- Contains haemoglobin in their cytoplasm for transport of oxygen. Oxygen combines
with haemoglobin in the lungs to form an unstable compound called oxyhaemoglobin
which breaks down in respiring cells
ii) MUSCLE cells
FUNCTION: To allow movement when they contract
ADAPTATION:
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 6
- They are long and thin, allowing many to work side by side for greater force or to for
a contractile net work.
- Each cell contains many small fibrils each capable of contracting
- Their cytoplasm contains many mitochondria which releases energy during
respiration for contraction.
iii) NERVE CELL
FUNCTION: Conduct electrical impulses to and from the central nervous system
Adaptation:
- Long to connect distant parts of the body to central nervous system
- Myelin sheath provides insulation to ensure one direction of flow of electric impulses.
How cells combine (organise) to improve their efficiency
Cell tissue organ system organism
Tissue: Many similar cells working together to perform the same function
Examples: Xylem, muscle
Organ: different tissues working together to do a particular function
Example: leaf, eye
System: a collection of different organs working together to perform a particular function
Examples: circulatory system, vascular bundles
Organism: a collection of systems working together
Examples: plant, cow
Mothowaeng O.O. Page 7