Biology (Cell) Definations and Notes (BY

HRIDANSH):

The Cell:

The cell is the most basic and structural unit of life.

Microscope:

The first microscope was invented by Anton Van Leeuwenhoek. His microscope consisted of a single
biconvex lens, it was called a simple microscope. He was the first to see cells.

In 1665. Robert Hooke developed a microscope using 2 lenses, His microscope was called the
compound microscope. He named what he saw Cells.

With constant improvements in technology, better microscopes were developed. An electron

microscope is the most advanced microscope, which made the structure of the cell very clear. It uses
a beam of electrons to magnify an object.

Cell Shape:

Cells have various shapes. Unicellular organisms may be Oval or round. Amoeba is a unicellular
Organism which is irregular in shape. The cells in multicellular organisms can be spherical, Oval or
rectangular in shape. In multicellular organisms, Cell shape is determined by the function of the cell.

Muscle cells are elongated. They can alter their shape by contacting and relaxing . This causes the
movement of bones and body parts attached to the muscles .

White blood cells are irregular or amoeboid-shaped by amoeboid movement, they can move
towards harmful microbes and destroy them .

nerve cells are long and have processes. Their greater length and processes help the nerve cell to
conduct messages rapidly from one part to the other .

The human red blood cells are biconcave and disc-like shaped so that there is greater surface area
for absorbing oxygen.

Cell size:

send size varies between plants and animals. Most of these cells are microscopic . They are
measured in micrometer.
The smallest cell is mycoplasma, the longest cell is the nerve cell - It measures up to one metre, the
largest cell is the ostrich egg Yolk is the only living part of an egg. The yolk in an ostrich egg measures
8 centimetre across.

Cytoplasm:

The cytoplasm is a Jelly like substance found between the cell membrane and the nucleus, the
cytoplasm makes up most of the living part of the cell. It includes small structures having definite
shapes and performing specific functions; these structures are called cell organelles.

Nucleus(Definition):

The nucleus is the largest organelle which is surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear
membrane. The Nucleus is regarded as the brain of the cell as it regulates all the important activities
of the cell.

At some places the nuclear membrane fuses to form pores called nuclear pores which allow
substances to enter and leave the nucleus.

The nuclear membrane encloses a colourless and dense fluid called the nucleoplasm which contains
one or more spherical dense bodies called nucleoli that are found.

The nucleoplasm contains a network of thread-like structures called chromatin at the time of cell
division chromatin fibres break into thick ribbon-like structures called chromosomes. Chromosomes
contain genes which are responsible for the hilarity of characters.

Endoplasmic Reticulum:

The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of double membrane canals which extend from the nuclear
membrane to the cell membrane. if its surface does not carry any ribosome, it is called Smooth
endoplasmic reticulum (SER) but if it does it is rough (RER) .

The endoplasmic reticulum provides a supportive framework to the cell and also it carries materials
throughout the cell.

Golgi Bodies:

Golgi bodies are stacks of flattened and membranous structures called Cristnae and also the small
vesicles pinching off from the Cristnae. In a plant cell Golgi bodies are smaller unstacked and more in
number which are called dictyosomes. They are involved in packaging of substances like enzymes
and hormones. They also help in formation of lysosomes.

Golgi bodies also store proteins temporarily which can leave the cell.
Lysosomes:

lysosomes are small saclike structures surrounded by a single membrane they contain strong
digestive enzymes which break down food material and also help digest old worn out cells and also
things like bacteria.

Sometimes lysosomes release some digestive enzymes which can breakdown cell organelles due to
this they are known as the suicide bags of the cell.

Mitochondria:

Mitochondria are small rod shaped organelles surrounded by a double membrane. In the
mitochondria, the outer membrane is smooth while the inner membrane is folded into finger-like
projections called Cristae .

Mitochondria are the site for respiration, and they release energy from food after oxidation. Hence
they are referred to as “the powerhouse of the cell”

Plastids:

These organelles are only present in plant cells. They are bound by a double membrane and can be
Oval spherical or discord in shape. There are 3 types of plastids:

Chloroplasts These plastics contain a green colour pigment called Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is present
in the green parts of the plant (Leaves and young stems) they are also called the kitchen of the cell.
They trap solar energy and convert it into my chemical energy in the form of food through the
process of photosynthesis .

Chromoplasts add the coloured plasters containing coloured pigments (red, orange and yellow)
other than green, and they are mostly found in the petals of Flowers and fruits. They impart colour
to fruits and Flowers. And they attract insects and animals for pollination and dispersal.

Leucoplasts are the colourless plastids. These store food in form of starch, proteins and fats. They
are found in roots seeds and other storage organs of the plant.

Centrosomes:

Centrioles are only found in the animal cells. They lie just outside the nucleus and the founding pays.
They are not membrane bound. They consist of two small tube-like structures called centrioles that
are positioned at right angles to each other .

Centrioles helps in cell division by forming spindle fibres .

Vacuoles:

Vacuoles are commonly found in plant cells. These are covered by a single membrane called
tonoplast, the membrane encloses of fluid called cell sap.

Vacuoles are quite large and occupy most of the cell space so much of the nucleus is pushed towards
the margin against the cell membrane. On the other hand if it's present in animal cells the vacuoles
are much smaller in size and more in number.

Cell Inclusions:

Substances like starch, oil globules, gums, resins, latex and tanins are found in the cytoplasm or in
the vacuole.

These substances are formed as a result of a lot of biochemical reactions in the cell.