Science chapter 5 :

By copilot
. Introduction to Cells
• What are Cells?
o Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
o Every living organism, from the simplest single-celled organisms to complex
multicellular beings, is composed of cells.
o The concept of cells was first introduced by the English scientist Robert Hooke in
the 17th century when he observed cork cells under a microscope.
• Types of Cells
o Prokaryotic Cells:
▪ These are primitive cells lacking a well-defined nucleus.
▪ Examples include bacteria and archaea.
▪ Prokaryotic cells have a simple structure with no membrane-bound
organelles.
o Eukaryotic Cells:
▪ These are more advanced cells with a well-defined nucleus.
▪ Our own cells (such as those in our skin, muscles, and organs) are
eukaryotic cells.
▪ Eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles that
perform specific functions.

2. Structure of Eukaryotic Cells

• Cell Membrane:
o The outer covering of the cell, made up of a phospholipid bilayer.
o It is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to enter or exit the cell.
• Nucleus:
o The control center of the cell.
o Contains genetic material (DNA) and is surrounded by the nuclear membrane.
o The nucleus regulates cell activities and coordinates cellular processes.
• Cytoplasm:
o The jelly-like substance within the cell where various cellular processes occur.
o It houses organelles and provides a medium for chemical reactions.
• Cell Organelles:
o Mitochondria:
▪ Known as the “powerhouses” of the cell.
▪ Responsible for cellular respiration, where energy (in the form of ATP) is
produced.
o Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
▪ A network of membranes involved in protein synthesis and lipid
metabolism.
o Golgi Apparatus:
▪ Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for transport within or outside the
cell.
o Lysosomes:
▪ Contain enzymes that break down cellular waste and foreign particles.
o Vacuoles:
▪ Store water, nutrients, and waste products.
o Chloroplasts (found in plant cells):
 ▪ Site of photosynthesis, where sunlight is converted into chemical energy.

3. Cellular Respiration
• The process by which cells release energy from food molecules (such as glucose) in
the mitochondria.
• Cells absorb glucose from food and burn it to produce energy (ATP).

4. Diffusion and Osmosis

• Diffusion:
o Movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of lower
concentration.
o For example, carbon dioxide and oxygen move across the cell membrane by
diffusion.
• Osmosis:
o Movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.
o Water is usually the only molecule that freely flows across this membrane.

5. Isotonic, Hypotonic, and Hypertonic Solutions

• Isotonic Solutions:
o Same solute and pH concentration as the surrounding body fluid or cytoplasm.
• Hypotonic Solutions:
o Lesser solute concentration than the surrounding fluid, causing cells to swell due
to excess water intake.
• Hypertonic Solutions:
o Higher solute concentration, leading to water loss from cells.
By byjus :

The Fundamental Unit Of Life Class 9

CBSE Notes - Chapter 5
CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 5 The Fundamental
Unit Of Life

Download PDF
Life, as we know it, took billions of years to evolve. From the very first
precursor of life to the multitude of multicellular organisms that we
see around us today, the most basic unit of all these is the cell.

All About Cells

Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of life. The cell was
discovered by Robert Hooke. A number of cells can work together to
form tissues and organs.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is the process by which food releases energy in the

mitochondria. Cells absorb glucose from food and burn it to produce
energy.

To know more about Cellular respiration, visit here.

Structural Organization of Cells

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells

Two types of cells – Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells

are primitive and lack a well-defined nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are
more advanced and have a well-defined nucleus.

To know more about Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells, visit here.

Cell Structure in Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells have the most well-defined structure. These cells have
cell membranes, membrane-bound cell organelles and a well-defined
nucleus. The nucleus has its own membrane called the nuclear
membrane.

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell.

• It is made up of a phospholipid bilayer membrane.
• It is selectively permeable in nature.
• The structure of a cell membrane is best described by the fluid
mosaic model.

To know more about Cell Wall and Cell Membrane, visit here.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a

region of lower concentration is known as diffusion. E.g. carbon
dioxide and oxygen move across the cell membrane by diffusion.

Osmosis in Selectively Permeable Membrane

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable
membrane. Osmosis is a selective process since the membrane does
not allow all molecules to pass through it. Water is usually the only
free-flowing molecule across this membrane.

To know more about Diffusion and Osmosis, visit here.

Isotonic, Hypotonic, and Hypertonic Solutions

• Isotonic solutions are those which have the same solute and pH
concentration as the surrounding body fluid or the cytoplasm.
• Hypotonic solutions contain a lesser amount of solute
concentration compared to the surrounding fluid and can force
the cell to rupture due to excess input of water into the cell.
• Hypertonic solutions contain a higher concentration of solute
compared to the surrounding fluid and thus push water out of
the cell, shrinking it.

Cell Walls in Plants

Plant cells are different from animal cells due to the presence of a cell
wall. The cell wall is made of cellulose and gives a rigid structure to
the plant cell. It provides structural support to plants. Due to cell
walls, cells of plants, fungi and bacteria can withstand greater changes
in surrounding conditions than animal cells. E.g. Cell wall enables the
cells to withstand hypotonic solution without bursting.

Cell Organelles

Eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles that

carry out various functions in the cell, e.g. Nucleus, Endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes, etc.
Read more: Cell Organelles – Structure and Functions

Endocytosis

Endocytosis is the invagination of the cell membrane, followed by

pinching off, forming a membrane-bound vesicle. This is commonly
seen in Amoeba.

Also read: Endocytosis vs Exocytosis

Nucleus in Cells

The nucleus is the processing unit of the cell. It is a double membrane-

bound organelle which contains the genetic material for inheritance.
The nuclear membrane contains pores that allow the transfer of
materials from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The nucleus is the brain
of the cell as it controls various functions such as cell division,
reproduction, inheritance, etc. The nucleus contains genetic material,
i.e. chromosomes that contain DNA. DNA carries information for
inheritance from parents to offspring. Prokaryotes lack a well-
defined nucleus, and the genetic material is present in a region known
as the nucleoid.
Chromosomes

Chromosomes are the genetic material present in the nucleus. It

contains DNA with associated proteins. They are present as threads
called chromatin. During the growth phase of the cell, the chromatin
condenses into a much thicker structure called a chromosome. Human
cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes (46).

Chromatin

Chromatin is a thread-like structure which serves as the genetic

material present inside the nucleus of the cell. It is made up of DNA
and protein molecules. DNA contains the hereditary information
needed for the structure and function of the organism.

Read more: Chromatin

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the fluid found inside the cell. It gives the structure
to the cell and houses different organelles of the cell.

Know more: Cytoplasm Structure and Function

Organelles
Organelles are structures present in the cytoplasm of the cell that
helps in several functions of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane-bound cell organelle that

plays an integral role in the interpretation of the genetic information
present in the nucleus.

Rough ER

Rough ER is the one that has ribosomes on them. The ribosome is

made up of nucleic acids and proteins. They are the site of protein
synthesis. The Rough ER is also involved in the modification and
folding of proteins.

Smooth ER

Smooth ER does not have ribosomes and thus is not involved in protein
synthesis. They are, however, involved in lipid metabolism and
detoxifying of poisonous molecules.

Read more: Endoplasmic Reticulum

Golgi Apparatus

Golgi Apparatus is also called the post office of the cell. They package
and transport the proteins across the cytoplasm.

Also read: Golgi Apparatus

Lysosomes

They are referred to as suicide bags of the cell as they contain potent
enzymes that can digest a cell. Lysosomes also help in defence by
attacking a foreign object.

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are also called the powerhouse of a cell. They generate

ATP via the electron transport chain. They also have a DNA called
mtDNA, which makes them a semi-autonomous
organelle. Mitochondria can make their own proteins.
Plastids

There are various types of plastids in different cells based on the

pigment they contain. The chloroplast is the plastid where
photosynthesis occurs, they contain chlorophyll. Some of the other
plastids are leucoplast and chromoplast. Leucoplasts store starch, oil
and protein granules. Chloroplasts contain membranes known as
thylakoids embedded in the stroma. Plastids also contain their own
DNA and ribosomes.

Vacuoles

Vacuoles are large vesicles that hold water or air in them and give
structural rigidity to the cell. Vacuoles are common in plant cells. In
animals, the vacuoles are either very small or absent.

To know more about Cell Organelles, visit here.

Comparison between Plant and Animal Cells

Plants cells are different from animal cells structurally. Plant cells
have cell walls and chloroplast which are missing in animal cells.
Plants cells also have large vacuoles, which are either very small or
missing in animal cells. The nucleus is present at the centre of the cell
in animal cells and at the periphery in plant cells.

To know more comparisons between Plant & Animal Cells, visit here.

Questions from The Fundamental Unit Of Life Class 9 Notes

1. How does a plant cell differ from an animal cell?

2. Differentiate between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell.
3. What would be the outcome in a scenario where a rupture occurs
in the plasma membrane?
4. Define osmosis.
5. How does an amoeba acquire food?
6. Growth and repair require which type of cell division?

Further Reading:-
Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 9 Biology
Notes Chapter 5 Fundamental Unit of Life
Q1

What is a ‘homogenous’ mixture?

A homogeneous mixture is a mixture in which the composition is

uniform throughout the mixture.

Q2

What is an ‘isotonic’ medium?

A solution is isotonic when its effective mole concentration is the same

as that of another solution.

Q3

What is a ‘vacuole’?

A vacuole is a membrane-bound cell organelle. In animal cells,

vacuoles are generally small and help sequester waste products. In the
plant cells, vacuoles help maintain water balance.