CHAPTER 2

CELL AS A UNIT OF LIFE

2.1 : What is a CELL?
2.2 : Unicellular & Mul9cellular

Organisms
2.3 : Cell Organisa9on in the
Human Body
2.4 : The Human Being A
Complex Organism
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

2.1 : WHAT IS CELL ?

Cell is the basic unit
of life.
It is the smallest unit
that makes up an
organism.
The analogy of cells
are like the bricks that
make up a wall or the
cells of honeycomb.
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

1.1 : WHAT IS CELL ?

A cell func1on to
carry out life
process(es).
The structure of
a cell can be
observed under
a microscope.
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

USING A MICROSCOPE
Eye piece
Body tube

A
microscope
is used to
see very ne
objects that
are not
visible to
the naked
eye.

Coarse focus knob

Fine focus knob

Arm
Objective lens

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

Clip
Stage
Diaphragm
Mirror
Base

USING A MICROSCOPE
Parts
Eyepiece
Objective
lens

Function
To magnify image of the specimen

Coarse focus
knob

Is used to focus the specimen when low

power objective lens is selected

Fine focus
knob

Is used to focus the specimen when high

power objective lens is selected

Stage
Clips

To mount/put/place the glass slide

To hold the glass slide in position

Diaphragm
Mirror

To control illumination
To reflect light towards the objective lens
Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

USING A MICROSCOPE
Place the
microscope in
a well-lit area

Position the low

power objective
lens above the
stage hole

Adjust the mirror &

diaphragm to provide the
best illumination for
viewing specimens

Turn the coarse focus knob to lower the objective

lenses until almost touching the slide while
watching from the side
Look
through
the
eyepiece

Turn the coarse focus knob

counter-clockwise to bring up
the low power objective lenses
until a clear image is seen

Clip the
slide on
the stage
If necessary,
change to a
high power
objective lens

Adjust the fine focus

knob
Prepared
by Ms to
Sue Sget
oh a sharper image

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF CELLS

Plant cells and animal cells dier in their shapes & func9ons.

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Prepared by Ms Sue Soh

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF CELLS

Structure
Cell membrane

Cytoplasm

Characteris9cs & Func9ons

Thin, semi-permable membrane
Separates the cell from the neighbouring cells
Controls the movement of substances in & out of the cell
Colourless, jelly-like substance
Mostly made up of water
A site where chemical processes take place

Nucleus

Controls all cell ac9vi9es

Contains gene9c informa9on

Vacuole

A cavity which stores water & dissolved minerals

Large in plant cells, absent in most animal cells but if present
will be of very small size

Chloroplasts
Cell wall

Found only in green plant cells

Contain green pigment chlorophyll which absorbs sunlight
Found only in plant cells
Made up of cellulose
by Ms tShe
ue Soh
Supports & MPrepared
aintains
shape of the cell