UNIT 2

CELL
A. Reading

The cell is the fundamental unit of life. All organisms, whatever their type or size, are
composed of cells. All new cells are derived from existing ones by one of the following the
processes of binary fission (prokaryotic cells), mitosis and meiosis (eukaryotic cells). Cells
contain the genetic material of an organism and metabolic processes take place within
them.
Cells all share certain basic features and yet show remarkable diversity in both structure and
function. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, or nuclear region, at some stage of their existence.
Cells are all surrounded by a cell-surface membrane and in eukaryotic cells there are also
internal membranes.
Each cell can be regarded as a metabolic compartment, a separate place where the
chemical processes of that cell occur. Cells are often adapted to perform a particular
function. Depending on that function, each cell type has an internal structure that suits it for
its job. This is known as the ultrastructure of the cell. Eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus
and possess membrane-bounded organelles. They differ from prokaryotic cells, such as
bacteria.

Comprehension Questions

Write T(True) or F(False) for the following statements.

1. _________ There are some organisms that do not have cell.

2. _________ New cell comes from a preexisting cell.
3. _________ Cells contain genetic material of an organism.
4. _________ All cells have the same function.
5. _________ Eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus and Prokaryotic don’t.

B. Vocabulary
1. Find the words on the text that you don't know then look up their meaning in the
dictionary!
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
2. The most important organelles are: nucleus, nucleolus, mitochondrion, chloroplasts,
reticulum endoplasmic, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, ribosome, cell wall, and vacuole. Look at
the picture bellow and label their parts.