Cell and its Structure and Functions

Q1. Write down the main differences between the animal cell and
the plant cell.
Ans 1. A plant cell is surrounded by rigid cell wall
whereas animal cell does not have cell wall.
Presence of a large vacuole in plant cell, which is small
in animal cell. 
Plant cells are larger than animal cells.
Plant cells have plastids whereas animal cells do not have
plastids.
Q2. Why do we put salt water on Rheo leaf?
Ans 2. When we put salt solution over the peel of rheo leaf,
water present inside the rheo leaf cell comes out. This
results in the shrinking of the cytoplasm along with cell
membrane thus separating from the cell wall.
Q3. What is cell membrane?
Ans 3. Cell membrane also known as the plasma membrane
is the outer most layer of the cell that separates cytoplasm
from the external environment. It is flexible and is made up
of lipids and proteins. The cell membrane defines the shape
and the size of the cell, encloses the cytoplasm and protects
it from the external environment. Any substance leaving and
entering the cell can do so only through this membrane. The
exchange of substances happens very selectively. Hence it
is also known as the selectively permeable membrane.
Q4. Write a note on cell wall and its functions.
Ans 4. Cell wall is unique to the palnt cells. It is made up of
cellulose. The cell wall is a tough but flexible porous layer
that lends a definite shape and gives protection to the cell. It
continuously exchanges information with other cells during
growth and development. It exerts an inward wall pressure to
resist the outward pressure exerted by the cell sap. That is
why the palnt cells can withstand much greater changes of
surrounding medium than animal cells.

Q5. What are prokaryotic cells?

Ans 5. Cells that do not have a nuclear membrane bound
nuclear material are called prokaryotic cells. Bacterium,
Cyanobacteria and Blue-green algae are prokaryotic.
Q6. What is cytoplasm.?
Ans 6. The cytoplasm is the fluid content bounded by the
plasma membrane. It contains many specialized cell
organelles. Each of these organelles perform specific
function for the cell.

Q 7. Write the differences between the cytoplasm and the

protoplasm.
Ans 7.
Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm

Cytoplasm Protoplasm

Consists of cytosol + Consists of cytosol + cell

cell organelles organelles + nucleus

The term is still The term is considered

 relevant in modern obsolete by today’s
biology standards

Q 8. Name the important cell organelles.

Ans 8
I. Mitochondria
II. Plastids
III. Ribosomes
IV. Endoplasmic reticulum
V. Golgi apparatus
VI. Lysosomes
VII. Vacuoles

Q.9 Write a detailed note on endoplasmic reticulum. Draw a

diagram of the ER.
Ans 9.
When the cell was observed under the electron microscope a
network of membranes was observed throughout the
cytoplasm. This network creates passages throughout the
cytoplasm for transport of substances from one part of the
cell to the other. This network of membranes is also known
as endoplasmic reticulum. It is made up of membrane bound
tubes and sheets. It is similar in structure to plasma
membrane. Endoplasmic reticulum may have granule like
structures on its surface which are called ribosomes. Such
endoplasmic reticulum is called rough endoplasmic
reticulum. Areas of the ER that do not have ribosomes is
known as smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Rough
endoplasmic reticulum is the site of protein manufacture.
The smooth ER helps in manufacture of fat molecules or
lipids important for cell functions. The manufactured
proteins and lipids are then sent to various places in the cell
depending on need using the ER. Some of these lipids and
proteins help in building the cell membrane.
ER also functions as a cytoplasmic framework providing a
surface for some of the bio chemical activities of the cell. In
vertebrate liver cells smooth endoplasmic reticulum plays a
crucial role in detoxifying many poisons and drugs.
Write a detailed note on the Golgi body or Golgi complex. Draw.

Write a detailed note on lysosome. Draw

Write a detailed note on mitochondria. Draw.
Write a detailed note on ribosomes. Draw.
What are plastids?
What is chloroplast?
What is vacuole?
Where do cells come from?
Are cells flat?