CHAPTER 5

Fundamental Unit of Life

Part - II

Q1. What is protoplasm?

Ans. It is jelly-like living part of the cell present inside cell membrane. It includes cytoplasm,
nucleus and other cell organelles.

Q2. What is Membrane biogenesis?

Ans. Some of the proteins and lipids synthesized by Endoplasmic Reticulum help in building the
cell membrane. This process is known as membrane biogenesis.

Q3. Draw well-labelled diagram of nucleus.

Ans.

Q4. Differentiate between nucleus and nucleolus.

Ans.

NUCLEUS
1 It is covered by two membranes
2 It controls all the functions of the cell
3 It lies in the cytoplasm
NUCLEOLUS
1 It does not have any membrane
2 It participates in protein synthesis
3 It lies in the nucleoplasm inside the
nucleus

Q5. Draw a well labelled diagram of Prokaryotic cell.

Ans.
Q6. Classify cell organelles on the basis of number of membranes present on them.

Ans. On the basis of membranes, organelles are of three types:

1. Double membranous: Nucleus, Mitochondria, Plastids

2. Single membranous: Endoplasmic Reticulum, Lysosomes, Golgi apparatus, Vacuoles
3. Non membranous: Ribosomes, Nucleolus, Centrioles

Q7. Write characteristics and functions of Ribosomes.

Ans.

Ribosomes:

Characteristics:

• Ribosomes are the smallest cell organelles present in cells of all organisms.
• They do not have any membrane.
• They are made up of RNA and proteins.
• They are present freely in cytoplasm, attached on RER and nuclear envelop, inside mitochondria,
chloroplast and nucleus as nucleolus.
• They are synthesized by nucleolus.

Functions: They synthesize proteins.

Q8. Write characteristics and functions of Golgi Apparatus.

Ans. Golgi Apparatus:

Characteristics:

• It is also called Golgi bodies or Golgi complex.

• It was discovered by Camillo Golgi.
 • It consists of a system of membrane-bound vesicles arranged parallel to each other in stacks
called cisterns.
• These membranes often have connections with membranes of ER.

Functions:

• It secretes enzymes and hormones.

• Lipids and proteins synthesised near the ER is packaged and dispatched to various targets
inside and outside the cell through the Golgi apparatus.
• It is involved in the storage, modification and packaging of products in vesicles.
• Complex sugars are made from simple sugars by Golgi apparatus.
• It is involved in formation of lysosomes.

Q9. What would happen to the life of the cell if there was no Golgi Apparatus?

Ans. If there was no Golgi apparatus in the cell, then most activities performed by the Golgi
apparatus will not take place.

(i) Membranes of the Golgi apparatus are often connected to ER membranes. It collects
simpler molecules and combines them to make more complex molecules. These are
then packaged in small vesicles and are either stored in the cell or sent out as per
requirement. Thus, if Golgi apparatus is absent in the cell then the process of storage,
modification and packaging of products will not be possible.
(ii) The formation of complex sugars from simple sugars will not be possible as this takes
place with the help of enzymes present in Golgi bodies.
(iii) The Golgi apparatus is involved in formation of lysosomes. Thus, if Golgi body is absent
in a cell, the synthesis of lysosomes will not be possible in the cell.

Q10. Write characteristics and functions of Lysosomes.

Ans. Lysosomes: Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes. These
enzymes are made by RER.

Functions:

• They are kind of waste disposal system of cell.

• They help to keep the cell clean by digesting any foreign material as well as worn-out cell
organelles.
• When the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own
cell.
Q11. Why are lysosomes known as suicide bags?

Ans. When the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own cell.
Therefore, lysosomes are also known as the ‘suicide bags’ of a cell.

Q12. Write characteristics and functions of Mitochondria.

Ans. Mitochondria:

Characteristics:

• Mitochondria has two membrane coverings.

• The outer membrane is very porous while the inner membrane is deeply folded.
• These folds are known as cristae. They create a large surface area for ATP-generating
chemical reactions.

Functions:

• Mitochondria are known as the Powerhouse of the cell.

• They produce energy required for various chemical activities needed for life in the form
of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) molecules.
• They store energy in the form of ATP.
• They have their own DNA and ribosomes and hence make some of their own proteins.
• They also synthesize respiratory enzymes.

Q13. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?

Ans. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell. Mitochondria create energy for the
cell, and this process of creating energy for the cell is known as cellular respiration. Most
chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration occur in the mitochondria. The energy
required for various chemical activities needed for life is released by mitochondria in the
form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) molecules.

Q14. Write characteristics and functions of Plastids.

Ans. Plastids:
 Characteristics:

• Plastids are bounded by a double membrane.

• They occur in Plant cell only.
• They consist of numerous membrane layers (Grana) embedded in a material called the
stroma.
• Plastids have their own DNA and Ribosomes. They can make their own proteins.
• Plastids are of two types – Coloured and Colourless
1. Chromoplast: They are variously coloured like red, orange, yellow, green etc.
▪ Chloroplast: Plastids containing green pigment called chlorophyll are
known as chloroplast. They are important for photosynthesis.
2. Leucoplast: They are colourless and store materials such as starch, oils and
protein granules.

Functions:

• Chromoplast give bright colours to flowers and fruits helping in pollination and seed
dispersal.
• Chloroplast perform the function of photosynthesis.
• Leucoplast store materials such as starch, oils and protein granules.

Q15. Write characteristics and functions of Vacuoles.

Ans. Vacuoles:

Characteristics:

• They are membrane-bound cell organelles.

• They are clear fluid filled or gas filled spaces.
• In animal cells vacuoles are small and help in waste removal.
• In plant cells vacuoles are large and help to maintain water balance.
• In plant cells single vacuole can take up most of the interior space of the cell.

Functions:
• They help in storage of foods, water and other waste substances.
• Contractile vacuoles help in the elimination of excess water from the cell.
• They help in maintaining water balance in plant cells.

Q16. What are the different types of vacuoles present in a cell? What is the outer membrane of
vacuole called?

Ans. There are four different types of vacuoles:

1. Sap Vacuole
2. Contractile Vacuole
3. Food Vacuole
4. Gas Vacuole
The outermost membrane of vacuole is called as Tonoplast.
Q17. Make a comparison and write down ways in which plant cells are different from animal
cells.

Ans.

PLANT CELLS ANIMAL CELLS

1 Cell wall is present 1 Cell wall is absent
2 Plastids are present 2 Plastids are absent
3 Large vacuoles are present 3 Many small vacuoles are present
4 Nucleus is present in the periphery of 4 Nucleus is present in the centre of the cell
the cell
5 Centrioles are absent 5 Centrioles are present