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AIM COURSE

THE CELL

 The size of different cells ranges between broad

CONTENTS limits.
 Histroy  Some plants and animals cells are visible to the
naked eye.
 Unicellular & Multicellular Organism
 Most cells are visible only with microscope.
 Ultra Structure of Cell  The prokaryotic cells usually range between
1 to 10 m.
 The eukaryotic cells usually range between 10 to
100 m.
 Amoeba proteus may reach a diameter of 0.5 mm.
In 1665, Robert Hooke observed the cell in a cork  The smallest cells are those of Mycoplasma
slice with the help of a primitive microscope. He laidlawiil (0.1µ in dimeter) or PPLO (pleuro
saw that cork resembled the structure of a honey pneumonia like organism).
comb consisting of many little compartments.
 The largest cell is egg of an Ostrich.
Robert Hooke called these boxes cells. Cell is a
 Cell Shape :
Latin word for 'little room.'

All living organisms are made up of one or more

cells. On the basis of cell number, organism are
grouped into 2 categories -

 Unicellular organisms :
 Organism in which a single cell make the whole
body. For example, Amoeba, Paramecium, bacteria
& Chlamydomonas.

 Multicellular organism :
 Organism in which body contains more than one
cell. For example - Plante, animals & fungi.

 Cell Size :  The shape of cell may be variable or fixed.

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 Variable shape occur in Amoeba, WBC etc.  Cell surface in all the cells is enclosed by a living
membrane which is called cell membrane by
 Fixed shape occur in most plant and animals.
C. Nageli and C. Kramer (1855).
 Cells may be diverse shapes such as polyhedral
Historical Account :
(8, 12 or 14 sides) spherical (e.g. eggs of mainly
animals), spindle shaped (Smooth muscle fibres),  J.Q. Plower (1931) coined the term Plasmalemma
elongated (e.g. Nerves cells) so on. for cell membrane.
Ultrastructure :

 Plasma membrane forms outer covering of each

cell.
 It is present in both plant and animal cells.
 Plasma membrane is a living, thin, delicate
elastic, selectively permeable membrane.
 It separates contents of a cell from the surrounding
medium.

 Fluid Mosaic Model :

 In 1972, Singer Nicolson proposed this model.
According to this, cell membrane consists-two
layers of phospholipid molecules, phospholipid &
protein molecules are arranged as a mosaic.
 Phospholipid molecules have their polar heads
directed outward non polar tail pointing inward.
 The proteins are of two types :
 Peripheral and integral. Peripheral proteins are
located superficially while integral proteins are
embeded in the phospholipid matrix. The protein
monolayer have elasticity & mechanical support
to the lipid matrix.

 Plasma Membrane :

 Functions of Plasma Membrane :

Introduction :

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 The main function of plasma membrane is to  In a cell which is not dividing, this DNA is
regulate the movement of molecules inside and present as part of chromatin material.
outside the cell.

 It allow the movement of gaseous substance from  Function of nucleus :

high concentration to low concentration which  It play a important role in cellular reproduction.
known as diffusion.
 DNA contain the information necessary for
 Water also obeys the low of diffusion . The constructing & organizing cells.
movement of water molecule through a selectively
permeable membrane is called osmosis.
 Nucleoid - In some organisms nuclear region of
cell may be poorly defined due to the absence of
 The flexibility of cell membrane also enables the nuclear membrane. Such an undefined nuclear
cell to engulf in food, which is also known as region called nucleoid.
endocytosis. For example – in Amoeba ,

Note :
 Cell wall :
 Prokaryotic cell - Cell which do not have well
 In plants, one another rigid is called 'Cell wall'. It
defined nuclear region . called prokaryotic cells.
is made up of cellulose which provide structural
Pro - Primitive
strength to plant.
Karyon - nucleus
 Function of cell wall :
 Eukaryotic cells - Cells which have well defined
 It maintains the shape of cell. nuclear region, called eukaryotic cells.
 It protect the cells from mechanical injury &  Along with nucleus membrane, prokaryotic cells
prevents their desication. lack most of cell organells.
 It provide mechanical support against gravity. It is
 Cytoplasm :
due to rigid cell walls that the aerial part of plant
are able to keep erect & expose their leaves to  The fluid & semifluid matrix of a cell between
sunlight. the nucleus & the plasma membrane, containing
 Cell walls permit the cells to with stand very various organelles is called cytoplasm.
dilute external media without bursting.  Cell organelles :
 Nucleus :  Small membrane bound structures, which perform a
 It is the most important part of cell which control lot of chemical activities to support the function &
all the activities of cell. structure of a cell, called cell organelles -

 Structure of Nucleus :  Some important cell organelles are following -

 The nucleus has a double layered covering called  Endoplasmic Reticulum :

nuclear membrane.  The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is noticeable
 The nuclear membrane has pores inside the only with an electron microscope.
nucleus to its outside, that is, to the cytoplasm.
 Structure :
 The nucleus contains chromosomes, which are
visible as rod-shaped structures only when the cell
 The ER is an extensive network of intracellular
is about to divide. membrane-bound tubes and that occupies most of
the cytoplasm in almost all eukaryotic cells. The
 Chromosomes are composed of DNA and protein.
membranes of this system are lipoproteinic in
 Functional segments of DNA are called genes. nature similar in structure to the plasma

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membrane. The ER is more prominent in young  Packaging. The proteins formed on ribosomes
and dividing cells as compared to older cells. It is pass into ER lumen where they are modified.
absent in prokaryotic cells. Then, the modified proteins move into the
 Types. The ER is of two types : transitional area where the ER buds off transport
vesicles carrying the proteins to the Golgi
 Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
apparatus. Here, they are further processed and
 Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) packaged into secretory vesicle for export by
exocytosis at the plasma membrane. Examples of
 Rough Endoplasmic reticulum (RER). These
secretory proteins include, mucus, digestive
appear rough under a microscope because of the
enzymes and hormones.
presence of a large number of grain-like
ribosomes over their cytoplasmic surface. The  Detoxification. The SER brings about detoxification
ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. Thus, in the liver, i.e., it converts harmful materials (drugs,
RER is engaged in the synthesis and transport of insecticides, pollutants and poisons) into harmless
proteins. Generally, RER is more abundant in the substances for excretion by the cell.
deeper part of cytoplasm near the nucleus where it  Formation of organelles. The SER produces
is connected with the outer membrane of the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vacuoles.
nuclear envelope. RER is well developed in the
cells that synthesize and secrete proteins.
 Membrane formation. Plasma membrane and
other cellular membranes are formed by ER.
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER). It
consists mainly of tubules and vesicles. It is free of  Golgi Complex :
ribosomes and is more abundant near the peripheral Introduction :
part of the cytoplasm where it may be attached to  Golgi bodies are absent in prokaryotic cells. Golgi
the plasma membrane. The SER helps in the complex is found in all eukaryotic cells except
synthesis of fat or lipid molecules. It is, therefore, RBCs.
well developed in the cells that secrete lipids.
Historical Account :
 Functions :  Camillo Golgi (1898), a zoologist, observed
 Support. The ER acts as supporting skeletal Golgi bodies in the form of a network in nerve
framework of the cell and also maintains its form. cells of barn owl.
 Transport of materials. The ER facilitates
Ultrastructure :
transport of materials from one part of the cell to
another.  It is also called Golgi complex or Golgi
 Exchange of materials. The ER helps in the apparatus or Dictyosome (in plants cell).
exchange of materials between the cytoplasm and  It is made up of cisternae.
the nucleus.  Golgi bodies are interconnected with the tubules.
 Localization of organelles. It keeps the cell
organelles properly stationed and distributed in
relation synthesis.
 Surface for protein synthesis. The RER offers
extensive surface on which ribosomes carry
protein synthesis.
 Surface for synthesis of other substances. The
SER provides surface for the synthesis of lipids
including phospholipids, cholesterol and steroid
hormones.
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 Lysosomes also remove the worn out and poorly

working cellular organelles by digesting them to
make way for their new replacement.

 Mitochondria :
Introduction :
 A single mitochondrion is present in unicellular
green alga, Microsterias. Number of mitochondria
varies from 50–50,000 per cell. Mitochondria of a
cell are collectively known as chondriome.

Historical Account :

 Functions of Golgi Apparatus :  C. Benda (1897) gave the name Mitochondria

(Mitos, thread + Chondrion, granules).
 The main function of Golgi apparatus is secretory.
 Term ‘Bioplast’ for mitochondria was used by
 It produces vacuoles or secretory vesicles which
Altman.
contain cellular secretions like enzymes, proteins,
cellulose etc.
Ultrastructure :
 Golgi apparatus is also involved in the synthesis
of cell wall, plasma membrane and lysosomes.  Mitochondria are rod shaped organelles, bounded
by a double membrane envelope.
 Lysosomes :  The outer membrane is smooth, the inner
Introduction : membrane surrounds a central cavity of matrix.
Central cavity is filled with jel like substances
 Lysosomes are generally found in the cytoplasm of
animal cells. Lysosomes exhibit polymorphism.

Historical Account :
 The term lysosome was introduced by De Duve in
1955.

Ultrastructure :
 It is also called demolition squads, scavengers,
cellular house keepers and suicidal bags.
 Lysosome are simple tiny spherical sac like
structures evenly distributed in the cytoplasm.
 Lysosome is small vesicle surrounded by a single
membrane and contains powerful enzymes.

 Functions of Lysosomes :
 Inner membranes folds are called cristae, these
 Lysosomes serve as interacellular digestive
folding are tubular and called microvilli.
system, hence called digestive bags.
 Mitochondria contain electron transport systems
aggregated into compact structure. F1 particles or
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oxysome, tennis racket like bodies on inner while plant cells have very large vacuoles. The
membrane involved in oxidation & phosphorylation. central vacuole of some plant cells may occupy
 Kreb’s cycle occurs in mitochondria. 50-90% of the cell volume.

 Each particle is made up of base, stalk and head.

 Functions of Mitochondria :
 Mitochodria are called power plants or power
houses or cellular furnaces.
 Synthesis of ATP (Adenosine Tri-phosphate) in
mitochondria is called oxidative phosphorylation.
 Mitochondria as place of cellular respiration was
first observed by Hogeboom.
 Function :
 Plastids :
Vacuoles perform following functions :
Introduction :
 They ar storage sacs of the cell. The stored
 Plastids are organelles enclosed by a double
matieral may be solid or liquid food or toxic
membrane found in all plants. metabolic by-products or end products of cells.
Historical Account :
 In some inicellular organisms, specialized
 E.Heckel (1865) gave the term plastid. Plastids vacuoles maintain water balance of the body
are largest cell organelles. (osmoregulation).
Ultrastructure :  In plants, they provide turgidity and rigidity to the
 Plastids occur in most plant cells and are absent in cells.
animal cells.
 Plastids are self replicating organelles like
mitochondria i.e. they have the power to divide.
 Schimper divided plastids into three types :
(a) Chromoplast - Coloured plastids
(except green colour)
(b) Chloroplast - Green coloured plastids
(c) Leucoplast - Colourless plastid.
 Plastids also have double membrane but no cristae.

 Functions of Plastids :
 Chloroplasts trap solar energy and utilized it to
manufacture food for the plant.
 Chromoplast impart various colour of flower to
attract insect for pollination.

 Vacuoles :
 Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid
contents. Vacuoles are small sized in animal cells
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EXERCISE # 1
Q.9 Kreb's cycle occurs in -
(A) Matrix of mitochondria

Q.1 Power house of cell is - (B) Nucleoplasm

(A) Lysosome (B) Ribosome (C) Cytoplasm
(C) Mitochondria (D) Vacuole (D) Protoplasm
Q.2 Who discovered the cell -
(A) Robert hooke (B) Purkinje
(C) Robert brown (D) Davson Q.10 Organelle, which remove worn-out cell
organelle is -
Q.3 Mitochondria are site of -
(A) Lysosome
(A) Electron transport
(B) Plastid
(B) Cellular respiration
(C) Mitochondria
(C) ATP formation
(D) Golgi complex
(D) All
Q.11 Which of the following organelle is involved
Q.4 Golgi body take part in - in formation of lysosomes -
(A) Lipid synthesis (A) SER (B) Golgi complex
(B) Carbodydrate synthesis (C) RER (D) Mitochondria
(C) Protein synthesis
Q.12 Numerous membrane layer present in plastid
(D) Oxidative phosphorylation
known as -
Q.5 Protein synthesis occurs on - (A) Cisternae (B) Stroma
(A) Ribosome (B) Lysosome (C) Grana (D) Matrix
(C) Nucleus (D) Chloroplast
Q.13 Chromosomes are made up of -
Q.6 Which of the following has a single membrane - (A) DNA (B) Protein
(A) Nucleus (B) Mitochondrion (C) DNA & protein (D) RNA
(C) Ribosome (D) Plastid Q.14 Cell wall of which one of these is not made
Q.7 What is the function of ER - up of cellulose -
(A) Nucleus (A) Bacteria (B) Hydrilla
(B) Mechanical support (C) Mango tree (D) Cactus
(C) ATP formation Q.15 Kitchen of the cell -
(D) Exchange of molecules (A) Mitochondria (B) ER
(C) Chloroplast (D) Golgi complex
Q.8 Grana & Stroma lamella occur in -
(A) Ribosome (B) Chloroplast Q.16 Membrane biogenesis is related with -
(C) Mitochondria (D) Golgi body (A) Cell membrane

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(B) Nuclear membrane Q.23 In plant cells, the cell wall is -
(C) Cell wall (A) Dynamic & living
(D) None (B) Rigid & non living
(C) Dynamic & non living
Q.17 Organelle other than nucleus, containing
DNA is -
(A) Endoplasmic reticulum (D) Rigid & living

Q.24 The outer most covering of amoeba is -

(B) Mitochondria (A) Tonoplast (B) Plasma membrane
(C) Golgi apparatus (C) Cell wall (D) Neurolemma
(D) Lysosome
Q.25 Oxysomes are present in -
Q.18 Amoeba acquires its food through a process (A) Mitochondria (B) Peroxisomes
termed as - (C) Plastid (D) Cytoplasm
(A) Exocytosis (B) Plasmolysis
(C) Endocytosis (D) Both A & B

Q.19 The outermost layer of human cheek cell is -

(A) Cell wall
(B) Nuclear membrane
(C) Plasma membrane
(D) Cytoplasm

Q.20 The diffusion of water from external solution

into dry raisins is called -
(A) Exosmosis
(B) Endosmosis
(C) Imbibition
(D) Plasmolysis

Q.21 The plasma membrane of all living cell is -

(A) Impermeable
(B) Semi permeable
(C) Permeable
(D) Selectively permeable

Q.22 Which cell organelle is not bounded by a

membrane -
(A) Nucleus (B) Lysosome
(C) Ribosome (D) ER

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EXERCISE # 2

Q.1 What are chromosomes ? Q.17 Explain the following -

(a) Mebrane biogenesis
Q.2 Name the protein factory of cell ?
(b) Diffusion
Q.3 What are leucoplasts ? (c) Endocytosis
(d) Cell organelles
Q.4 Which cell organelle is commonly called
cellular housekeeper ? Q.18 (a) Draw a diagram of an animal cell & label

Q.5 Name any cell organelle which is non- its seven parts.
membranous ? (b) Mention two cell organelles which are
bounded by double membrane. Give
Q.6 Name the organelles having double membrane structural detail also.
envelope ?

Q.7 Give 2 examples of unicellular organisms ?

Q.19 Column (A) Column (B)
Q.8 Define osmosis ?
(i) Smooth endoplasmic – Amoeba
Q.9 Define diffusion. reticulum
(ii) Lysosome – Nucleus
Q.10 Name two types of Endoplasmic reticulum (iii) Food vacuoles – Bacteria
present in the cell ? (iv) Chromatinmaterial – Detoxification
& Nucleolus
(v) Nucleoid – Suicidal bag

Q.11 Who discovered cell & how ? -

Q.12 Why is plasma membrane called selectively Q.20 Transporting channels of cell is ………
permeable membrane ?
Q.21 Power house of cell is…………….
Q.13 Which organelle is known as the power house
of cell & why ? Q.22 Digestive bag of cell is………………

Q.14 What is osmosis ? Q.23 Kitchen of cell is …………………

Q.15 Why are lysosomes known as suicide bags ? Q.24 Storage sacs of the cell is ………………

Q.25 Control room of the cell is……………

Q.16 Draw a well labelled sketch of a ultra

structure of animal cell ?

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