Name ……………………………………… ( ) Class ………..

Ch 1 Cells

Learning Outcomes

(a) Identify and state the functions of the following cell structures (including organelles)
of typical plant and animal cells from diagrams, light micrographs and as seen under
the light microscope using prepared slides and fresh material treated with an
appropriate temporary staining technique:
 cell wall
 cell membrane
 cytoplasm
 nucleus
 cell vacuoles (large, sap-filled in plant cells, small, temporary in animal cells)
 chloroplasts

(b) Identify and state the functions of the following membrane systems and organelles
from diagrams and electron micrographs:
 endoplasmic reticulum
 Golgi body
 mitochondria
 ribosomes

(c) Compare the structure of typical animal and plant cells

(d) Explain how the structures of specialised cells are adapted to their functions (e.g.
muscle cell – many mitochondria to supply more energy,
root hair cell – large surface area of cell membrane for greater absorption,
red blood cell – lack of nucleus allowing it to transport more oxygen)

 Cells are the basic building blocks of life.

(cross)

(vertical)
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 A cell consists of a mass of living matter called protoplasm which is made up of
cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.

 The cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm.

It is made up of lipids and proteins.
It is partially permeable, allowing only small and soluble substances to pass through.

 A plant cell has a cell wall surrounding the cell membrane.

The cell wall is made of cellulose.
It is fully permeable.
It protects the cell from injury and gives the cell a fixed shape.

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 Cytoplasm is found between the cell membrane and the nucleus.
It is the site of cellular activities.
It contains specialised structures called organelles.

 Nucleus controls cell activities .

It is essential for cell division such as cell growth and the repair of worn-out parts.
Cells, without a nucleus like the red blood cells, are unable to divide.

 Chromatin are long thread-like structures found within the nucleus.

They are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA which carries hereditary information.
They condense into thick, rod-shaped structures called chromosomes when the cell
is dividing.

 There are two types of ER: rough endoplasmic recticulum (RER) and
smooth endoplasmic recticulum (SER).

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 RER is a network of flattened spaces lined with a membrane.
The outer surface of RER is continuous with the nuclear membrane.
RER appears rough because its surface is studded with ribosomes.
RER transports proteins made by the ribosomes to the Golgi apparatus

 Ribosomes are small round structures that either attached to RER or lie freely in cytoplasm.
They are responsible for protein synthesis.

 SER is more tubular than RER.

It does not have ribosomes attached to its surface.
It synthesises substances such as fats and steroids and is involved in detoxification.

 Golgi body (or Golgi apparatus) consists of flattened spaces surrounded by membranes.
It chemically modifies substances by the ER
It stores and packages the substances in vesicles for secretion out of the cell.

 Mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are oval or sausage-shaped organelles.

They are sites of aerobic respiration.
They oxidise food to release energy for cellular activities.

 Chloroplasts are oval structures found in plant cells.

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 They contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which is required for photosynthesis
to occur.

 Vacuole is a fluid filled space enclosed by a partially permeable membrane.

It stores substances within the cell.
A plant cell usually has one large central vacuole that consists of substances
such as sugars, mineral salts and amino acids.
An animal cell usually has numerous small vacuoles that store water and food
substances, exist temporarily.

Differences between plant and animal cell

Animal cell Plant cell

No cell wall Has a cell wall

Has many small vacuoles Has a large central vacuole

No chloroplasts Has chloroplasts

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 There are many cells in the human body and they perform specific functions.
Examples of specialised cells: red blood cells and root hair cells.

 Adaptations:
Red blood cell contains haemoglobin which binds to oxygen and transports it
around the body.
It has a circular, biconcave shape which increases surface area to volume ratio
for increased rate of oxygen uptake.
It has no nucleus. This allows packing of more haemoglobin for transport of more
oxygen.
It is flexible and can easily squeeze through capillaries.

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 Muscle cell contains many mitochondria which provide energy for muscle contraction.
It has contractile protein fibres which contract and relax to bring about movement.
It has many nuclei which allow for cell division.

 A root hair cell has a long and narrow extension which increases surface area
to volume ratio for increased rate of absorption of water and mineral salts.
It maintains a lower water potential in vacuole which allows water to enter the root
hair cell via osmosis.

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