Organisation of the organism

Cell Structure and Organisation

All living things are made of cells.

New cells are produced by the division of existing cells

All typical cells have:

o Cell membrane: controls movement in and out of cells

o Cytoplasm: where chemical reactions take place

o Nucleus: contains DNA and controls the cell

o Mitochondria: where aerobic respiration happens

o Ribosome: allows protein synthesis

A typical animal cell (e.g., the liver cell) has all above

Plant cells especially also have:

o Vacuole: cell sap to keep cell turgid

o Cell wall (all cells except for animal and protoctist cells have cell walls): rigid to keep

the shape of the cell, strengthens the cell

o Chloroplasts: contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis

A typical plant cell (e.g., the palisade cell) has everything above.
Prokaryotes DO NOT have mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum

and a nucleus!

A bacterial cell only contains a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm,

ribosomes, circular DNA, and plasmids.

Levels of Organisation
Key Terms

Cells - Building Blocks of Life

Tissue - Groups of cells with similar structures working together to perform a

shared function

Organ - Group of tissues working together to perform a specific function

Organ system - Group of organs with related functions working together to

perform body functions.

 Cell Function Adaptation(s) Diagram
Biconcave/Disc shape

Red Transport of No nucleus

blood cell oxygen Flexible
Has haemoglobin
Long
Contracts to get Many protein fibres in
Muscle
structures closer cytoplasm to shorten
cell
together cell when energy
available

Movement of
Ciliated mucus in the
Tiny hairs called cilia
cell trachea and
bronchi

Root hair Absorb mineral Elongated shape for

cell ions and water more surface area

No cytoplasm so water
passes freely
No cross walls so cells
Transport water connect to form tube
Xylem
and support
vessel
plant
Lignin makes it strong
and waterproof

Regular shape so many

can fit in a small space
Palisade Photo-
cell synthesises
Many chloroplasts
Size of Specimens

Other Forms in Magnification Formula

Actual size = image size / magnification

Image size = magnification x actual size

Unit Conversions (μm - micrometre)

1cm = 10mm

1mm = 1000μm

Magnification does NOT have any units (‘x 50’ or ‘x 5000’)