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CELLS
Introduction:
• All living things are made up of cells. They are the building blocks of any organism. Based on
the number of cells, organisms are categorised as
o Prokaryotic- They are simplest organisms with one cell- unicellular, the cells lack
nucleus and few other organelles. E.g., bacteria
o Eukaryotic – They are complex organisms with identifiable cell organelles in them.
Yeast is one type of single-celled organism. Most of them are multicellular. Eg all
plant and animal cells
• Main differences in Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells are:
Organelles Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
Nucleus ABSENT PRESENT
Nuclear Material PRESENT (single strand of PRESENT (several
chromosome) chromosomes)
Endoplasmic reticulum ABSENT PRESENT
Mitochondria ABSENT PRESENT
Ribosomes PRESENT (smaller) PRESENT
Golgi body* ABSENT PRESENT
Lysosomes* ABSENT PRESENT
Mesosomes* PRESENT ABSENT
Centrioles* ABSENT PRESENT
* Not in syllabus, just for knowledge
CELL SIZE
• Prokaryotic cells (0.1–5.0 µm in diameter) are smaller than Eukaryotic cells (10–100 µm)
• Plant cells are usually larger than animal cells.
• Human eyes cannot see most cells. They are very tiny and hence are measured micrometre
(µm)
1 µm= 10 -6 m
1 m = 10 6 µm
(1 cm = 10 4 µm
1 mm = 10 3 µm)
• To see the cells clearly, we need microscopes.
• A hand lens can magnify X10 times, we see cells as dots
• A light microscope can magnify X1500 times, only certain cell structures can be seen like
nucleus, small vacuoles
• An electron microscope can magnify x10 million times, most cell structures are seen clearly
CELLS
CELL STRUCTURES (As per IGCSE syllabus)
• Irrespective of plant or animal cells, the basic cell structures are:
• Cell wall
• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Vacuoles
• Chloroplasts
• Nucleus
• Mitochondria
• Ribosomes
• Similarities /Differences in plant and animal cells
Points Plant cells Animal Cells
Cell wall Present covering the Absent
cell membrane, made
of cellulose
Chloroplast Present, contain Absent
chlorophyll
Vacuoles Large vacuoles Small vacuoles,
containing cell sap, temporary
permanent
Differences
Shape Regular in shape Irregular in shape
Other Often have starch Never have starch
grains grains; sometimes
have glycogen
granules as reserve
fuel
Centrioles* Absent Present
Lysosomes* Rare Present
Cell membrane Present Present
Mitochondria Present Present
Ribosomes Present Present
Similarities
Cytoplasm Present Present
Nucleus Present, around the Present, centrally
periphery of the cell located
CELLS
• The structure of a bacterial cell (limited to: cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm,
ribosomes, circular DNA, plasmids)
• Prokaryotic cell or bacterial cell do not have nucleus or any other structures which are
surrounded by membranes.
• The cell envelope of bacteria is made up of two to three layers: the interior cell
membrane, the cell wall, and -- in some species of bacteria -- an outer capsule.
• The cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm which contains
o Ribosomes scattered throughout the cytoplasm
o Nuclear material in the centre which is single loop of chromosome
o Small circular loops of DNA called plasmid.
CELLS
• Quick Reference Summary chart
Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic cells
Organelles Plant cells Animal Cells Bacterial cells
Capsule
Cell wall Cellulose Peptidoglycan
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus Chromosomal
DNA, plasmids
Vacuoles smaller than plant
Large smaller than both
cells
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
Ribosomes smaller
Endoplasmic
reticulum
Golgi body*
Lysosomes*
Mesosomes*
Centrioles*
• Cell Division
o New cells are produced by division of existing cells
o Multicellular organisms begin life as a single fertilised egg cell called a ZYGOTE.
o It then divides over and over again by MITOSIS
o As the developing embryo grows, cells become specialised to carry out particular roles.
o This is called differentiation and is controlled by genes.
• Differentiation of cells: It is the process where the cells developed certain special characteristics
and features to carry out special functions
CELLS
• Specialized cells in animals
Cells Location Structural Function
Adaptations
Ciliated cells Lining of • Extensions of The cilia beat to
Trachea and cytoplasm to move mucus and
bronchi form hair like trapped dust
structures particles upwards
called cilia.
Nerve cells Nervous • Long so that • Quick
system they run to and conduction of
from different impulses
parts of body.
• The cell has
extensions and • Better
branches called communication
dendrites with other cells
• The axon is to pick
extension of impulses.
cytoplasm • Insulates the
away from cell nerve cells and
body, is speeds the
covered with impulse
fatty layer –
myelin sheath
Red blood cells Blood of • Biconcave • Increased
mammals shape and Surface area
nucleus absent allows to
which contain more
increases the haemoglobin
surface area that binds to
oxygen, hence
efficient
transport of
oxygen
Sperm Cells In testes • The head • Aids in
contains fertilization with
haploid egg cell and
nucleus thus maintain
diploid
chromosomes
• The acrosome in daughter cells
on the top • The enzymes
contains help to
CELLS
digestive penetrate the
enzymes egg cells
• The middle • They provide
piece has lot of energy to the
mitochondria cell to swim
towards egg cell
• The cell has a
long tail • Enables the
sperm to swim
Egg cell (Ovum) In ovary • Lot of • Provides
cytoplasm nutrients for
embryo
• Haploid • Aids in
nucleus fertilization with
sperm cell and
thus maintain
diploid
chromosomes
• Cell membrane • Does not allow
changes after other sperms to
entry of one enter after one
sperm has entered
• Specialized cells in plants
Cells Location Structural Function
Adaptations
Root Hair cell Roots • Specialised by • Increases
its surface area for
protrusions increased
absorption of
water and
minerals
• No
chloroplasts
present
Palisade Mesophyll cells Beneath the • Column • To fit as many
epidermis of shaped tightly as possible for
leaf arranged maximum
exposure to
sunlight
• To absorb
• Many maximum
chloroplasts sunlight for
photosynthesis
CELLS
• Organisation of cells
o Cells are organized to form tissue, organs, and organ systems. In a healthy organism, all
the systems work together.
o Organelles: a structure within a cell (e.g., nucleus, vacuole, cytoplasm and chloroplast
are all organelles of a plant cell).
o Tissue: a group of cells with similar structures, working together to perform a shared
function.
o Organ: a structure made up of a group of tissues, working together to perform specific
functions.
o Organ system: a group of organs with related functions, working together to perform
body functions.
o Examples of organ System:
▪ In Plants:
• Root system-> organs: Root, tuber-> Tissues: xylem, phloem
• Shoot System ->organs: leaf, stem, flower, fruit-> Tissues: Mesophyll,
xylem, phloem
▪ In Animals:
• Digestive System -> organs: mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine, anus-> Tissues: Muscle, connective, epithelial,
nerve
• Circulatory System->organs: Heart, veins, arteries-> Tissues: Muscle,
connective, epithelial, nerve
• Magnification
o Magnification = Image Size
Actual Size
o Easier way to remember
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