Organisation of the Organisms

Cells
● A cell is a unit of life.
● All plants and animals are made of cells.
● It consists of a mass of matter called protoplasm.
● A protoplasm is made up of cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus
● A cell contains 70 to 90% of water, and the rest is made up of mineral salts and organic
compounds.

Structure of a cell:

Plasma membrane (cell membrane):

● Plasma membrane surrounds the entire cell.
● It is thin and delicate which is made up of lipids and proteins.
● Plasma membrane is selectively (partially, semi) permeable.
● Only plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall made of cellulose.

Cytoplasm:
● It forms the larger part of the cell and is made up of 90% water containing dissolved
proteins, sugars and enzymes.
● Numerous chemical reactions occur here.
 ● It also contains larger suspended particles of fats and many structures called organelles.
● Organelles are structures that perform specific functions within the cell.

Mitochondria:
● Release and store energy in chemical form known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
● (singular: mitochondrion)
● Found in the Endoplasmic reticulum and freely in the cytoplasm

Cell organelles and their functions:

Specialised Cells:

Ciliated Cells:
● Located in the trachea
● Sweeps mucus and dust upwards to
prevent it from getting into the lungs
● Extensions of the cytoplasm at the
surface of the cell form the hair like
structures
Nerve Cells:
● Located in the body’s nervous system
● Electrical signals are carried all
around the body by these cells
● The cells are elongated so signals
can reach different places of the
body quicker.
● Has extensions so impulses can
travel from the presynaptic neuron
to the postsynaptic neuron with ease
● The axon is covered with myelin
sheath which helps speed up
signalling

Red Blood Cells:

● Transports oxygen to the cells in our body
● Biconcave disc shaped, increases surface
area for the more efficient diffusion of
oxygen
● Contains no nucleus to make more room
for the red pigment haemoglobin

Sperm Cells:
● The male gametes
● Has a haploid nucleus
with only 23
chromosomes
● Has a lot of
mitochondria to provide
it with energy, for it to
swim with the egg.
● Contain digestive
enzymes called
acrosome granules for it
to penetrate through the protective coating around the egg.
● The tail enables the sperm to swim.

Egg Cells (Ovum):

 ● The female gamete
● Contains a lot of cytoplasm which has nutrients for the early growth of the embryo
● Haploid nucleus
● Cell membrane changes after fertilisation so no more than one sperm can fertilise the
same egg

Root hair Cells:

● Absorb water and mineral ions from
the soil
● Root hair increases surface area of
the cell to ensure maximum
absorption of water and mineral ions
● Walls are thing to ensure water
moves through quickly
● No chloroplasts present

Xylem Vessels:
● The vessel is hollow to ensure the continuous flow of water
● Cells are dead without cytoplasm and organelles to allow a free passage of water
● Walls become thickened with a substance called lignin to support the plant

Levels of Organisation:
● Tissue: Group of cells of similar structures working together to perform the same function
● Organ: Made from different tissues working together to perform specific functions
● Organ system: Group of organs with similar functions working together to carry out body
functions