Detailed Notes on Cell – Structure and Function
Introduction & Cell Theory
- All living organisms are made up of cells, the basic structural and functional units of life. - Robert
Hooke (1665) discovered cells, Robert Brown (1831) discovered the nucleus. - Schleiden &
Schwann (1838–39) proposed Cell Theory: 1. All organisms are composed of cells. 2. Cell is the
basic unit of structure and function. 3. Cells arise from pre-existing cells (added later by Virchow).
Types of Cells
- Prokaryotic Cells: Primitive, no true nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, ribosomes 70S
(bacteria). - Eukaryotic Cells: Well-defined nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, ribosomes 80S
(plants, animals, fungi, protists). - Differences between Plant & Animal Cells: • Plant Cells: Cell wall,
plastids, large vacuoles, dictyosomes, no centrioles. • Animal Cells: No cell wall, centrioles present,
small vacuoles, no plastids.
Cell Membrane & Cell Wall
- Plasma Membrane: Living boundary of the cell. Described by Fluid Mosaic Model (Singer &
Nicholson, 1972). - Selectively permeable – transport by diffusion, osmosis, active transport,
endocytosis, exocytosis. - Cell Wall (plants): Non-living, rigid, made of cellulose, gives shape and
support, contains plasmodesmata for communication.
Cytoplasm & Organelles
- Mitochondria: Double membrane, inner folded (cristae), site of respiration and ATP production,
semi-autonomous. - Plastids: Found in plants – Leucoplast (storage), Chromoplast (pigments),
Chloroplast (photosynthesis). - Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): RER (with ribosomes – protein
synthesis), SER (lipid/steroid synthesis, detoxification). - Golgi Body: Packaging, secretion,
formation of lysosomes, cell wall components. - Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis (80S in
eukaryotes, 70S in prokaryotes). - Microbodies: Lysosomes (intracellular digestion, “suicidal bags”),
Peroxisomes (photorespiration), Glyoxysomes (lipid → carbohydrate conversion). - Cilia & Flagella:
Movement organelles with 9+2 microtubule arrangement. - Centriole: Found in animals, 9+0
arrangement, important for spindle formation during cell division.
Nucleus
- Largest organelle, double-membrane with pores. - Contains nucleoplasm, chromatin (DNA +
proteins), and nucleolus (RNA + proteins, site of ribosome formation). - Chromatin: Euchromatin
(light, active), Heterochromatin (dark, inactive). - Functions: Control center, heredity, regulates
metabolism, directs cell division.
Cell Molecules
- Water: Major component, universal solvent, medium for reactions, maintains turgidity. -
Carbohydrates: Energy source (glucose), storage (starch in plants, glycogen in animals), cellulose
(cell wall). - Proteins: Made of amino acids, enzymes, structural and regulatory roles. - Lipids:
Energy-rich, membrane components (phospholipids), hormones. - Nucleic Acids: DNA (genetic
material), RNA (protein synthesis, genetic role in some viruses). - Vitamins: Essential
micronutrients, deficiency leads to diseases (e.g., vitamin C deficiency → scurvy). - Hormones:
Regulatory molecules (proteins, peptides, steroids in animals; growth regulators in plants). -
Alkaloids & Steroids: Found in plants and animals; important in metabolism, medicine.
Cell Division
- Cell Cycle: Interphase (G1, S, G2) + M Phase (Mitosis or Meiosis). - Mitosis: Somatic cells, 4
stages – Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase + Cytokinesis. Produces two identical
daughter cells. - Meiosis: Germ cells, two successive divisions (Meiosis I & II), produces four
haploid cells, involves crossing-over → genetic variation. - Significance: • Mitosis: Growth, repair,
asexual reproduction. • Meiosis: Gamete formation, maintaining chromosome number, genetic
diversity.
