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
A   Body tube
microscope   Coarse focus knob
is  used  to   Fine focus knob
see  very  fine   Arm
objects  that   Objective lens
are  not  
Clip
visible  to  
Stage
the  naked  
eye.   Diaphragm
Mirror
Prepared  by  Ms  Sue  Soh  
Base
 USING A MICROSCOPE
Parts Function
Eyepiece
Objective To magnify image of the specimen
lens
Coarse focus Is used to focus the specimen when low
knob power objective lens is selected
Fine focus Is used to focus the specimen when high
knob power objective lens is selected
Stage To mount/put/place the glass slide
Clips To hold the glass slide in position
Diaphragm To control illumination
Mirror To reflect light towards the objective lens
Prepared  by  Ms  Sue  Soh  
 USING A MICROSCOPE
Position the low Adjust the mirror &
Place the
power objective diaphragm to provide the
microscope in
lens above the best illumination for
a well-lit area
stage hole viewing specimens

Turn the coarse focus knob to lower the objective Clip the
lenses until almost touching the slide while slide on
watching from the side the stage

Look Turn the coarse focus knob If necessary,

through counter-clockwise to bring up change to a
the the low power objective lenses high power
eyepiece until a clear image is seen 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  differ  in  their  shapes  &  func9ons.  

Animal Cell Plant Cell

Prepared  by  Ms  Sue  Soh  
 GENERAL STRUCTURE OF CELLS
Structure     Characteris9cs  &  Func9ons  
•   Thin,  semi-­‐permable  membrane  
Cell  membrane   •   Separates  the  cell  from  the  neighbouring  cells  
•   Controls  the  movement  of  substances  in  &  out  of  the  cell  
•   Colourless,  jelly-­‐like  substance  
Cytoplasm   •   Mostly  made  up  of  water  
•   A  site  where  chemical  processes  take  place  
•   Controls  all  cell  ac9vi9es  
Nucleus  
•   Contains  gene9c  informa9on  
•   A  cavity  which  stores  water  &  dissolved  minerals  
Vacuole   •   Large  in  plant  cells,  absent  in  most  animal  cells  but  if  present          
     will  be  of  very  small  size  
•   Found  only  in  green  plant  cells  
Chloroplasts  
•   Contain  green  pigment  chlorophyll  which  absorbs  sunlight  
•   Found  only  in  plant  cells  
Cell  wall   •   Made  up  of  cellulose  
•   Supports  &  MPrepared  
aintains  
by  Ms  tShe   shape  of  the  cell  
ue  Soh