THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE

Topics covered- Nucleus (Prokaryotic cells & Eukaryotic cell) Cytoplasm

Endoplasmic Reticulum.

NUCLEUS
a) Occurrence – It is a large spherical cellular component found both in plant and animal
cells.
b) Location – In an animal cell it is generally in the center. In the plant cell it is pushed
towards the periphery.
c) Structure-
1) NUCLEAR MEMBRANE- It is a double layered membrane which is not continuous
and has pores called nuclear pores.
2) NUCLEOPLASM- It is a colourless fluid (liquid ground substance). Within the
nucleoplasm two types of nuclear structures are embedded- the nucleolus and
chromatin material. The nucleolus may be one or more in number and is not
bounded by any membrane. It is rich in proteins and RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
molecules and acts as sites for ribosome formation. Ribosomes are helpful in protein
synthesis. The chromatin material consists of an entangled mass of thread-like
structures which at the time of cell division condense into compact rod-like structures
called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of two components- proteins &
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). The functional segments of DNA are called Genes
(hereditary units) The DNA molecules contain the information necessary for
constructing and organizing cells.
d) Function –
i) It controls all the information necessary for constructing and organizing cells.
ii) It helps in cell division.
iii) It helps in the transmission of hereditary traits from parents to offspring.

IMPORTANT TERMS

a) PROKARYOTES- Organisms whose cells lack a nuclear membrane and the

nuclear region is poorly defined.
b) EUKARYOTES- Organisms whose cells have a well-defined nuclear region
surrounded by a nuclear membrane.
c) NUCLEOID- The undefined nuclear region in the cytoplasm of a prokaryote

A PROKARYOTIC CELL
THE CYTOPLASM

It is present in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, both in plant and animal cell but it is absent in
viruses (not found)

LOCATION – In the animal cell it fills up the entire cell while in the plants it is pushed towards
periphery because of the presence of large central vacuole

NATURE- Translucent jelly like substance and contains chemicals like carbohydrates, minerals,
salts, proteins and water (cell inclusions)

FUNCTION-
i) All cell organelles are present in cytoplasm
ii) It is the site of certain metabolic pathways such as glycolysis.
iii) Synthesis of fatty acids and some amino acids takes place in the cytoplasm.
iv) It helps in exchange of material between various cell organelles.

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

OCCURRENCE- Present in both plant and animal cell

LOCATION – Scattered in the cytoplasm as a complex system of membranous tubules.

NATURE – It is a living organelle. It occurs in 3 forms

a) Cisternae (closed fluid filled sacs)

b) Vesicles

c) Tubules

They are of two types

i) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum- It has ribosomes attached to the surface and
so the membranes have a rough and granular surface .It is continuous with the
nuclear membrane

ii) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- It is without ribosomes and so has a smooth

membrane. It is continuous with plasma membrane and golgi apparatus.

FUNCTION (Specific)

SER

i) They are involved in the synthesis of lipids (fat molecules)

ii) In the liver cells of vertebrates, SER help in detoxification of many drugs.

RER

It helps in synthesis and transport of protein due to the presence of ribosomes which are
responsible for protein synthesis.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS

1) It provides a framework of tubules throughout the cytoplasm thus providing surface for some
of the important biochemical activities throughout the cell.

2) It helps in intracellular transport of materials especially manufactured protein between various

regions of the cytoplasm or between cytoplasm and nucleus

3) Some proteins and lipids synthesized in the ER are used for producing new cellular parts,
especially the cell membrane. This process is called ‘membrane biogenesis’

4) Some other proteins and lipids function as enzymes and hormones.