FALGUNI MISS

BIOLOGY REVISION NOTES

01. CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE. 2019 – 20.

Ø Scope: Basic understanding of cell theory, structure of plant and animal cells with functions of
various cell organelles like (protoplasm, cytoplasm, cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus,
nucleolus, golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome, mitochondria, lysosomes, plastids,
centrosomes and vacuole). Major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; plant
and animal cell with respect to – cell wall, centrosome, vacuoles and plastids.

Ø Cell is the smallest, basic functional and structural unit of life.
Ø Diagram:
A GENERALISED ANIMAL CELL: A GENERALISED PLANT CELL:

Ø Protoplasm / Protoplast: It is the living matter, the total substance of a living cell
comprising of the cytoplasm, the nucleus and all living organelles in it.
Ø Cell membrane/ plasma membrane/ plasmalemma: Cell membrane is a
semi/selectively/ differentially permeable membrane, which allows only certain
substances to pass through while preventing others.
Ø Cytoplasm: Colorless, transparent, gel like substance filling the entire cell within the
cell membrane and around the nucleus is called the cytoplasm.
Ø Cytosol: The part of the cytoplasm other than the organelles is called cytosol, which
constitutes mainly the liquid medium.
Ø Nucleus: Nucleus is the key performer or the master of each cell.
Ø Prokaryotic cells: Prokaryotic cells are cells in which nuclear membrane is absent.
Ø Eukaryotic cells: Eukaryotic cells are cells in which double nuclear membrane is
present.
Ø A collection of tissue system performing some same specific function inside the
body, is an organ. Ex tongue, liver, stomach etc.
Ø Membrane bound parts of a cell, which have definite shape, definite structure and
definite functions are called organelles.

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PARTS OF THE CELL
Living organelles/parts Non-living organelles/parts
Cell membrane Cell wall (only in plant cell)
In the Cytoplasm
Golgi apparatus Granules
Endoplasmic reticulum Vacuoles
Ribosomes Fat droplets
Mitochondria
Lysosomes
Centrosome (only in animal cell)
Plastids (only in plant cell)
In the Nucleus
Nuclear membrane
Nucleoli
Chromatin fibers


Ø Differences between:
o Plant and animal cells:
Plant cell Animal cell
1. Cell wall A definite cell wall, made up of No cell wall.
cellulose.
2. Centrosome Centrosome is not present. Centrosome is present.
3. Plastids Usually contain plastids. Do not contain plastids.
4. Vacuoles Vacuoles large and prominent, Vacuoles, if any, are small and
mostly one or two. temporary; concerned with
excretion or secretion.
5. Size Usually larger, with distinct Usually smaller, with less
outlines. distinct boundaries.
6. Cytoplasm Cytoplasm not too dense. Cytoplasm denser and more
granular.
7. Arrangement Only a thin lining of cytoplasm, Cytoplasm fills the entire cell.
of cytoplasm mostly pushed to the periphery.

o Organ and organelle:

Organ Organelle
Many cells make tissues and many tissues Membrane bound parts of a cell having
together contributing to some specific definite shape, definite structure, and a
function inside the body constitutes an definite function are called organelles.
organ.

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o Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:
Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell
1. No well-defined nucleus, but has a 1. Well defined nucleus with a nuclear
region of nuclear material called membrane.
nucleoid.
2. A single circular DNA molecule with 2. Several lengths of genetic material,
no proteins. called chromatin fibers containing
DNA wound around certain proteins.
3. Small Ribosomes, scattered in the 3. Larger Ribosomes, free or attached to
cytoplasm. endoplasmic reticulum.
4. No other cell organelles. 4. Several organelles like mitochondria,
endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts,
etc.
5. Examples: Bacteria, blue-green algae 5. Examples: Euglena, Amoeba and all
(Cyanobacteria). plants and animals.
o Protoplasm and cytoplasm:
Protoplasm Cytoplasm
It is the living matter, the total substance Colorless, transparent, gel like substance
of a living cell comprising of the filling the entire cell within the cell
cytoplasm, the nucleus and all living membrane and around the nucleus is
organelles in it. called the cytoplasm.
o Nucleolus and nucleus:
Nucleolus Nucleus
Nucleolus are spherical round body inside Nucleus is a spherical dense body in the
the nucleus. cytoplasm containing the nucleolus and
chromatin fibers.
It participates in protein synthesis by It regulates entire cell function and
forming and storing RNA. contains chromosomes bearing genes
which carry hereditary factors.
o Centrosome and chromosome:
Centrosome Chromosome
It initiates and regulates cell division in an They carry hereditary information or
animal cell. genes.
It is located in cytoplasm near the nucleus. It is located in the nucleus.

o Cell wall and cell membrane:
Cell wall Cell membrane
It is present only in plant cell. It is present in plant and animal cell.
It is made up of polysaccharide It is made up of lipoproteins.
form of starch called cellulose.
It is freely permeable. It is semipermeable.
It is non-living. It is living.

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o Living cell and brick in the wall:
Living cell Brick in the wall
A living cell can respire, locomote and It cannot respire, nor locomote nor
reproduce. reproduce.
It has a life cycle after which it dies. It has no life cycle. It will remain as it is
until some external force cracks it or
demolishes it.
The size of cell is fixed. The size of brick wall can be altered.

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