Biology - Ch.

2 The cell as the basic unit of life

2.1 Chemical of life

The chemical constituents of organisms can be divided into two groups: inorganic and organic
a. Inorganic chemicals constituent of chemicals
➴ Water

Function Explanation Example

1. As a reactant Water is a reactant in some chemical 1. In plants, food is produced from water and
reactions. carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide + water → food + oxygen
2. In animals, digestion / hydrolysis of food:
Starch + water → maltose (simpler food)

2. As a medium of Water can dissolve many substances. /

chemical reactions Water in cells provides an aqueous
medium for chemical reaction to take
place.

3. As a medium of Many substances are transported in In plants, inorganic ions dissolve in water and
transport organisms by water. are carried from the roots to other parts.

4. As a cooling agent Water removes heat when it evaporates Humans produce more sweat when body
from the body of the organisms. temperature is high. Evaporation of sweat
helps cool down the body.

5. Provides support Water gives shape and provides support When plants cells are full of water, they
to organisms. become turgid and press against one another.
This gives support to seedlings so they can
stand upright.

6. As a component Water is the major component of many Pleural fluid around human lungs reduces
lubricant lubricating fluids in organisms. These friction during breathing.
fluids reduce friction during movement.

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 Biology - Ch.2 The cell as the basic unit of life

➴ Inorganic ions

Inorganic ions Function in animals Functions in plants

Nitrate / - A source of nitrogen for the synthesis of

proteins

Magnesium - Activates some enzymes, which regulate - A component of chlorophyll

chemical reactions in the body - Activates some enzymes

Iron - A component of haemoglobin, an - Activates some enzymes

oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells
- Activates some enzymes

Calcium - A component of bones and teeth - Helps strengthen cell walls

- Needed for processes like blood clotting muscle
contraction and sending messages in the nervous
system

Phosphate - A component of bones and teeth - A component of phospholipids and nucleic

- A component of phospholipids and nucleic acid acids
(DNA genetic materials)

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 Biology - Ch.2 The cell as the basic unit of life

b. Organic chemical constituents of organisms

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are the major organic chemical constituents of organisms. They are
often called biomolecules. They all contain the element carbon.

Carbohydrates *carbon + hydrogen + oxygen*

Glucose The main energy source for cells
Starch An energy reserve in plants
Glycogen An energy reserve in animals
Cellulose A major component of plant cell wall

Lipids *carbon + hydrogen + oxygen*

Triglycerides An energy reserve in organisms
Fats stored in adipose tissue reduce heat loss and protect internal organs in animals
Phospholipids A major component of cell membranes

Proteins *carbon + hydrogen + oxygen + nitrogen*

Structural proteins Make up body tissue
Enzymes Regulate chemical reactions
Antibodies Help regulate body processes
Haemoglobin Carries oxygen

Nucleic acid *carbon + hydrogen + oxygen + nitrogen + phosphorus*

Deoxyribonucleic acid Carries genetic information
Ribonucleic acid Involved in the synthesis of proteins

2.2 Discovery and early studies of cells

b. The cell theory
- All organisms are made up of one or more cells (unicellular or multicellular)
- The cell is the basic unit of life
- All cells comes from pre-existing cells (cell division from parent cells, all cells have origins)

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 Biology - Ch.2 The cell as the basic unit of life

2.3 Microscope: tools for studying cells

a. Types of microscopes

Electron microscopes
Light microscopes
Transmission electron Scanning electron
microscopes (TEM) microscopes (SEM)

Working principle Light passes through a Electron beams pass through a Electron beams scan over the
specimen or a thin slide of it very thin slide of a specimen to surface of a specimen to form
to form an image. form an image. an image.

Maximum 1600 times 1 500 000 times 200 000 times

magnification

Appearance of the Coloured image Black and white Black and white
image produced Two-dimensional image Three-dimensional image
showing the internal structures showing the external structures
of the specimen. of the specimen.

Advantages - Living specimen can be Magnification and resolution of the images produced are higher,
observed (alive) so more details can be seen.
- Specimen can be prepared
easily (simple)

Disadvantages - Bulky and expensive

- Dead specimen is resulted

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 Biology - Ch.2 The cell as the basic unit of life

2.4 Structure of cell

a. Animal cells and plant cells

Sub-cellular structure Function

Nucleus - Bounded by a double membrane called the nuclear membrane

Animal Plant - Contains DNA, which controls the activities of the cell

Cytoplasm - Jelly-like fluid consisting of mainly water and proteins

Animal Plant - Holds many organelles
- A site for many chemical reactions
- Allows the movement and transport of materials inside the cell

Cell membrane - A flexible membrane made up of phospholipids and protein

Animal Plant - Enclose the cell and separates the cell contents from the outside environment
- Differentially permeable
- Controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell

Cell wall - Rigid outermost layer made up of cellulose

Plant - Fully permeable, allows all dissolved substances to pass through
- Protects, supports and gives shape to the plant cell

Mitochondrion - Bounded by a double membrane, the inner membrane is highly folded

Animal Plant - Main site of respiration. It converts chemical energy in food into energy that the cell can use
- More mitochondria are present in liver cells, muscle cells and root hair cells

Chloroplast - Bounded by a double membrane, with a network of membrane inside

Plant - Contains chlorophyll which captures light energy and converts it into chemical energy in
food in photosynthesis. (in green plants cells only)
- Starch grains are present inside

Vacuole - May contain water, enzymes, food and other dissolved substances
Animal Plant - Provides support to the plant when it is full of water
(small or absent) (often a large and central vacuole)

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 Biology - Ch.2 The cell as the basic unit of life

2.5 Levels of body organization

Multicellular organisms like humans and plants consist of many different types of cells. These cells work together in a
coordinated way to serve different functions in an organism.

Cell The basic unit of organism e.g. smooth muscle cell

⇩
Tissue Similar cells works together for one or more particular functions e.g. smooth muscle tissue
⇩
Organ Different tissues work together for one or more particular tasks e.g. stomach
⇩
System Different organs work together to perform a particular task e.g. digestive system
⇩
Organism Different systems work together to maintain life e.g. human

Cell e.g. blood cell (red blood cell, white blood cell, blood platelets)
⇩
Tissue e.g. blood vessels
⇩
Organ e.g. heart
⇩
System e.g. circulatory / transport system
⇩
Organism e.g. human

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