UNIT 1

The cell
A cell is the smallest unit of life. It is a living
thing because it performs the three vital
functions: nutrition, interaction and
reproduction.
Cells have a similar structure, but animal cells and
plant cells are different.
The main structural differences between plant and
animal cells lie in a few additional structures found in
plant cells. These structures include: chloroplasts, the
cell wall, and vacuoles.
ANIMAL CELL PLANT CELL
- ANIMAL CELLS:

• Cytoplasm
• Cell Membrane
• Nucleus
• Organelles
Cytoplasm is inside the cell. It is a
viscous liquid which the organelles float
in.
The cell membrane is the outer shell of the cell and
takes part in the interaction function.
A cell membrane helps to keep the pieces inside.
Its basic job is to separate the inside from the
outside.
It is the most important part. The nucleus
contains the material neccesary to reproduce
the cell. The nucleus controls what happens
inside the cell.
Organelles are small, specialized structures in
cells which operate like organs by carrying out
specific tasks, for example, they obtain energy.

Endoplasmatic reticulum, ribosome, lysosome,

mitochondria are examples of organelles in the
animal cell.
- PLANT CELLS:
• Cytoplasm
• Cell Membrane
• Nucleus
• Organelles
Additional structures found in plant cells.
• Cell wall
• Chloroplasts
• The cell wall is a rigid structure that surround
the cell membrane and protects the cell.
Chloroplasts are green organelles that capture
light and produce nutrients.
Cells are of various sizes and have
irregular shapes. We can´t see them. We need a
microscope.
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects
that are too small for the naked eye.
Animal cells are round and irregular in shape while
plant cells have fixed, rectangular shapes.