UNIT-1
CELLS
1. The main features of
plants:
• They are multicellular
1
Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct nuclear membrane.
• Their cells have cell walls made out of cellulose.
• Their cells contains chloroplast for the absorption of light (so they can carry out
photosynthesis)
• They are called autotrophs.
• They store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose.
2. The main features of animals:
• They are multicellular.
• Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct nuclear membrane.
• Their cells do not have cell walls.
• Their cells do not contain chloroplasts (so they are unable to
carry out photosynthesis).
• They feed on organic substances made by other living things.
• They are called hetrotrophs.
• They often store carbohydrates as glycogen.
3. Cell wall and Cell membrane:
• A cell wall is on the outside of the cell, but a cell membrane is further in.
• A cell wall is made of cellulose, but a cell membrane is not.
• A cell wall is strong and stiff, but a cell membrane is flexible.
• A cell wall is much thicker than a cell membrane.
• A cell wall helps to hold the plant cell in shape, but a cell membrane does not.
• A cell membrane helps to control what goes in and out of the cell, but a cell wall does
not.
Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell
Present – made of cellulose for
Cell Wall Not present
support
Chloroplasts Present – for photosynthesis Not present
Large and permanent – filled with cell Small and temporary (or may not be
Vacuole
sap present)
Shape Usually box-shaped or regular Usually round or irregular
Food Storage Stores food as starch Stores food as glycogen
Can make their own food using
Photosynthesis Cannot do photosynthesis
sunlight
Movement Fixed in place Most can move from place to place
2
4. Specialized animal cells:
Name of cell Function of cell Specialised How this helps
structure the cell to carry
out its function
Red blood cell Transports Has haemoglobin haemoglobin
oxygen in its cytoplasm carries oxygen
Is very small It can squeeze
through tiny
capillaries
Has no nucleus more
room for
haemoglobin, so
it can carry more
oxygen
Neurone Carries electrical Has a long axon Allows electrical
signals from one signals to travel
part of the body long distances
to another very quickly
has dendrites these pick up
electrical signals
from other nerve
cells
Ciliatedcell Stops bacteria Has tiny, thread- cilia wave in
and dust getting like cilia along unison, sweeping
into the lungs one edge mucus,
in which bacteria
and dust are
trapped, away
from the lungs
5. Specialized plant cells
Name of cell Function of cell Specialized How this helps
structure the cell to carry
out its function
Root hair cell Absorbs water has a long allows water to
and mineral ions extension from move easily from
from the soil one side the soil into the
cell
3
Palisade cell Make food by has many chlorophyll
photo-synthesis chloroplasts absorbs energy
containing from sunlight
chlorophyll which the plant
uses to make
food.
https://www.scribd.com/document/828331572/Science-stage-7-unit-7-class-notes
https://www.scribd.com/document/828333104/Unit-1-stage-7-class-notes
From Cells to Organ Systems
Multicellular organisms have systems made of parts that work together.
Levels of Organization:
1. Cell – basic unit of life
2. Tissue – a group of similar cells with similar functions.
4
3. Organ – a group of different tissues with similar functions.
4. Organ system – a group of organs with similar functions.
Tissues, Organs and Systems
Level Example
Cell Red blood cell
Tissue adipose tissue
Organ Heart
Organ system Circulatory system
Organism Human
Examples of Organ Systems
System Main Organs Function
Digestive system Mouth, stomach, intestines Breaks down food
Respiratory system Lungs, trachea Helps us breathe
Circulatory system Heart, blood vessels Carries blood and oxygen
Nervous system Brain, spinal cord, nerves Sends impulses around the body
Cells and Their Sizes
Cell Type Approximate Size
Bacterial cell 1–5 μm
Animal cell ~10–30 μm
Plant cell ~10–100 μm
μm (micrometre) = one-millionth of a metre
To calculate magnification:
Image size
Magnification = _____________ x
Actual size
