Cell Theory

Learning Task A.
1. What is Cell theory and why is it important?

Cell Theory was put forward by a German botanist, M.J. Schleiden (1838)and a German zoologist,
Theodor Schwann(1839). The postulates of this theory are as follows:-
1. All living organisms are made up of 1 or more cells.
2. Each cell comprises of a mass of protoplasm having a nucleus bounded by a cell membrane
outside.
3. Cell is the structural and functional unit of life and living processes.
4. All cells are structurally alike and basically similar in metabolism.
5. New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
The importance of cell theory lies in the fact that it gives us an idea about the concept of cell as a
basic unit of life and its activities and interactions that forms a basis of all living processes.
However, the cell theory has some drawbacks as well. For instance, viruses lack true protoplasm and
plasma membrane ,still they behave as living organisms inside the host body. Hence viruses are an
exception to the cell theory.
Also ,not all cells are structurally and functionally similar. Changes in the cytoplasmic content of
some cells causes great variations in cell size and shape. There are also evidences of non-nucleated as
well as multi-nucleated cells. For eg. ,sieve cells and mature RBCs lack nucleus and certain algal cells are
multinucleated.

2. What are the two basic types of biological cells?

There are only two types of biological cells: eukaryotic, which contain a nucleus, and prokaryotic,
which do not. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms, while eukaryotes can be either single-celled or
multicellular.

3. What are some basic differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?

Here are the top 6 of difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells :

1. A Prokaryotic cell is surrounded by a single membrane layer but In the case of Eukaryotic, there are
two surroundings 1. Plasma membrane 2. Nuclear membrane.

2. In the case of prokaryotic cells, the cell wall is made up of Carbohydrates, lipids, protein and certain
amino acids whereas The eukaryotic cell wall is made up of chitin and cellulose.

3. Respiratory enzymes are present on the cell membrane in prokaryotic cells whereas Respiratory
enzymes are absent on the cell membrane in Eukaryotic cells.

4. Thylakoids present in the cytoplasm in prokaryotic cells whereas Thylakoids occur within the
chloroplast in eukaryotic cells.

5. SAP Vacuoles are present in prokaryotic cells but SAP vacuoles are commonly present in Eukaryotic
cells.
6. 70s ribosome are present free in the cytoplasm or attached to mRNA in prokaryotic cells whereas 80s
ribosomes are present either free or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear Envelope for
mRNA.