UDGAM SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
(2019 – 2020)
Subject : Science Class : VIII L - 8 : Cell Structure and Functions Notes
Q1. What is a cell?
A1. A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of a living organism.
Q2. Why are the cells called the basic structural and functional unit of a living
organism?
A2. The number of cells, the shape and size, of the living organisms differ, but basically they are
made up of cells.
Cells combine to form tissues, organs, organ systems and the organism.
Thus, the cells are called the basic structural unit of a living organism.
Every cell in the body performs all the life processes such as digestion, respiration,
excretion etc.
Thus, the cell is the basic functional unit of a living organism.
Q3. Explain the term unicellular and multicellular organisms.
A3. i. Unicellular organisms:
- The organisms whose body is made up of a single cell are called unicellular organisms.
- A single cell performs all the life processes like digestion, respiration, reproduction etc.
- Eg. Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena, bacteria, yeast etc.
ii. Multicellular organisms:
- Organisms whose body is made up of more than one cell are called multicellular
organisms.
- All multicellular organisms begin their life as a single cell which is the fertilized egg
called zygote.
- Eg. Cats, dogs, humans etc.
Q4. Write a note on cell size and cell shape.
A4. i. Cell Size:
- The size of a cell in the living organism may be as small as one millionth of a metre
(1 micron/micrometre) or may be as large as a few centimetres.
- The smallest cell is that of a bacterium (0.1micron) and the largest cell is the Ostrich's
egg (170mm to135mm).
- Size of the cell does not matter for bigger or smaller organisms, the cell size however
is related to the function that particular cell will perform.
- Nerve cells in the lion and the rat are long and branched and perform the same functions
ii. Cell Shape:
- Different types of cells have different shapes depending on the functions they perform.
- Cells are generally round, spherical, elongated or spindle-shaped or even irregular.
- Some cells are long and branched like the nerve cells.
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Class – VIII / Subject – Science / L – 8 / Notes / 2019 – 2020
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Q5. Explain the main parts of the cell along with their functions.
A5. The main parts of the cell are:
i. Cell Membrane (Plasma membrane) :
- It is a very thin skin covering the cell and is porous.
- The cytoplasm and the nucleus are enclosed within the cell membrane.
Functions of cell membrane:-
- It protects the cell.
- It gives shape to the cell.
- It separates one cell from the other and also the cell from the surrounding medium.
- It is porous and allows movement of selective materials in and out of the cell.
ii. Cytoplasm:
- The jelly like substance seen between the nucleus and the cell membrane is called
cytoplasm.
- It contains many important components called organelles.
- Eg. Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Golgi Bodies etc.
Functions of cytoplasm:-
- It is the site of most of the biochemical reactions taking place in the cell.
iii. Nucleus:
- The nucleus is mostly dense, spherical and situated at the centre of the cell.
Functions of nucleus:-
- It controls all the life functions taking place in the cell.
- It controls the inheritance of characters from one generation to another.
iv. Cell wall:
- It is a thick rigid layer present outside the cell membrane in the plant cell.
- It is non-living in nature.
Functions of cell wall:-
- It provides protection against variation in temperature, high wind speed, atmospheric
moisture etc.
- It provides mechanical strength.
- It controls the shape and size of the cell.
v. Protoplasm:
-The jelly like substance which forms the entire living content of the cell which includes
the nucleus and the cytoplasm together is called protoplasm.
Q6. Draw a neat labelled diagram showing the main parts of the cell.
A6.
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Class – VIII / Subject – Science / L – 8 / Notes / 2019 – 2020
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Q7. Explain the main parts of a nucleus.
A7. The main parts of the nucleus are:
i. Nuclear Membrane:
- It is the outermost layer of the nucleus.
- It is porous and allows the movement of selective materials between the nucleus and
the cytoplasm.
ii. Nucleoplasm (Nuclear sap):
- It is the fluid inside the nucleus.
- It contains nucleolus and chromosomes.
iii. Nucleolus:
- It is a small spherical body present at the centre of the nucleus.
iv. Chromosomes:
- They are fine, independent thread like structures which carry genes.
- They play an important role in inheritance of characters from one generation to
another.
Q8. Draw a neat labelled diagram for the cell nucleus.
A8.
Q9. Draw a neat labelled diagram for the Plant cell and Animal cell.
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Class – VIII / Subject – Science / L – 8 / Notes / 2019 – 2020
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[Link] between the following.
[Link] PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
i. Cell wall is present, which is rigid. Cell wall is absent.
ii. Plastids are present. Plastids are absent.
iii. Vacuoles are larger in size. Vacuoles are absent, if present, they are
smaller in size.
[Link]. PROKARYOTIC CELL EUKARYOTIC CELL
i. Prokaryotic cells have a primitive Eukaryotic cells have a well-developed nucleus
nucleus, which lacks a nuclear with a nuclear membrane.
membrane (called nucleoid region).
ii. Membrane bound organelles are All membrane bound organelles are present.
absent here.
iii. Prokaryotic cells are smaller in size as Eukaryotic cells are bigger in size as compared
compared to eukaryotic cells. to prokaryotic cells.
iv. Prokaryotes are generally unicellular. Eukaryotes may either be unicellular or
multicellular.
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Class – VIII / Subject – Science / L – 8 / Notes / 2019 – 2020
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