Chapter 1 Cells-revision notes

Animals

 The main features of animals:

o They are multicellular

o Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane

o Their cells do not have cellulose cell walls

o Their cells do not contain chloroplasts (so they are unable to carry out photosynthesis)

o They feed on organic substances made by other living things

o They often store carbohydrates as glycogen

o They usually have nervous coordination

o They are able to move from place to place

A typical animal cell

Plants

 The main features of plants:

o They are multicellular

o Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane

o Their cells have cell walls made out of cellulose

o Their cells contain chloroplasts (so they can carry out photosynthesis)

o They feed by photosynthesis

o They store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose

o They do not have nervous coordination

A typical plant cell

Cell Structures Found in Both Animal and Plant Cells Table

Structure Function

Contains genetic material (DNA) which controls

Nucleus
the activities of the cell

A gel like substance composed of water and cell

Cytoplasm solutes. It supports the internal cell structures
and is the site for many chemical reactions

Holds the cell together, separating the inside of

Cell membrane the cell from the outside. Controls which
substances leave and enter the cell

Found in the cytoplasms, these are the site of

Ribosomes
protein synthesis

The site of aerobic respiration where energy is

released to the cell. Large numbers of
Mitochondria
mitochondria are found in cells that are very
metabolically active, such as muscle cells

Cell Structures Found Only in Plant Cells Table

Structure Function

Made of cellulose, gives extra support to the

Cell wall
cell

Contain green chlorophyll pigments which

Chloroplasts
absorb light energy during photosynthesis

Contains cell sap which is a solution of dissolved

Permanent vacuole sugars and ions. It is used for storage and
support of the cell structure

Animal and Plant Cell Diagrams

An animal and plant cell as seen under a light microscope; only larger structures are visible under a
light microscope so smaller structures such as ribosomes will not be visible

Identifying Cell Structures and Function

 Within the cytoplasm, the following organelles are visible in almost all cells except prokaryotes
when looking at higher magnification (i.e. using an electron microscope):

o Mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are organelles found throughout the cytoplasm

o Ribosomes are tiny structures that can be free within the cytoplasm or attached to a
system of membranes within the cell known as Endoplasmic Reticulum

 Endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes looks rough under the

microscope; this gives rise to its name of Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (often
shortened to R.E.R.)

o Vesicles can also be seen using a higher magnification - these are small circular
structures found moving throughout the cytoplasm
Structures in an animal cell visible under a light microscope and an electron microscope

Structures in a plant cell visible under a light microscope and an electron microscope
Drawing Cells

 To record the observations seen under the microscope (or from photomicrographs taken) a
labelled biological drawing is often made

 Biological drawings are line pictures which show specific features that have been observed
when the specimen was viewed

 There are a number of rules/conventions that are followed when making a biological drawing

Guidelines for microscope drawings

 The conventions are:

o The drawing must have a title

o The magnification under which the observations shown by the drawing are made must
be recorded

o A sharp HB pencil should be used (and a good eraser!)

o Drawings should be on plain white paper

o Lines should be clear, single lines

o No shading

o The drawing should take up as much of the space on the page as possible

o Well-defined structures should be drawn

o The drawing should be made with proper proportions

o Label lines should not cross or have arrowheads and should connect directly to the part
of the drawing being labelled

o Label lines should be kept to one side of the drawing (in parallel to the top of the page)
and drawn with a ruler

 Drawings of cells are typically made when visualising cells at a higher magnification power,
whereas plan drawings are typically made of tissues viewed under lower magnifications
(individual cells are never drawn in a plan diagram)
Biological Drawing of an Animal Cell

An example of a tissue plan drawn from an electron micrograph of an animal cell

Biological Drawing of a Plant Cell

An example of a tissue plan drawn from an electron micrograph of a plant cell

Specialised Cells

Specialised cells in animals

 Specialised cells are those which have developed certain characteristics in order to perform
specific functions

 These differences are controlled by genes in the nucleus

 Cells specialise by undergoing differentiation: this is a process by which cells develop the
structure and characteristics needed to be able to carry out their functions

Specialised Cells in Animals Table

Cell Function Adaptation

 Hair-like structures form on the

Movement of mucus in the surface of the cell called cilia
Ciliated cell trachea and bronchi of the  These beat to move mucus and
chest cavity trapped particles up and out of
the trachea

 Long so that nerves can run to and

from different parts of the body to
the central nervous system
Nerve cell Conduction of impules  The cell has extensions and
branches for communication. The
axon is insulated for speed of
transmission of the nerve impulse

 Biconcave disc shape increases

surface area for more efficient
diffusion of oxygen

Red blood cell Transport of oxygen  Contains haemoglobin for to carry

oxygen

 No nucleus to increase space for

carrying oxygen

Sperm cell Reproduction  The head contains the genetic

material for fertilisation in a
haploid nucleus (containing half
the normal number of
chromosomes)

 The acrosome in the head

 contains digestive enzymes so the
sperm cell can penetrate the egg
cell

 The mid-piece has many

mitochondria to provide energy
for tail movement

 Contains a lot of cytoplasm which

has nutrients for the growth of the
early embryo

 Haploid nucleus contains genetic

Egg cell Reproduction
material for fertilisation

 Cell membrane changes after

fertilisation by a single sperm cell
so no more sperm can enter

Diagrams of specialised cells in animals

Ciliated cell
 Nerve cell

Red blood cells

Sperm cell

Egg cell
Specialised Cells in Plants Table
Cell Function Adaptation
Absorption of water and
Root hair cell
minerals from soil
Conduction of water
through the plant;
Xylem vessel
provides support for the
plant
Palisade mesophyll
Photosynthesis
cell
 Root hair increases the surface area
to ensure maximum absorption of
water and minerals
 Walls are thin to ensure water moves
through quickly
 No chloroplast present as no light
underground
 No top or bottom cell walls for
continuous flow of water
 Cells are dead so no organelles to
ensure a smooth stream of water can
flow
 Thickened cell walls with lignin to
provide structural support
 Column shaped to maximise
absorption of sunlight
 Contains many chloroplasts for
maximum photosynthesis
Diagrams of specialised cells in plants
 Root hair cell

Xylem structure
Palisade mesophyll cell

Levels of Organisation in an Organism

Level Description

Cells Basic functional and structural units in a living organism

GRoups of cells of similar structure working together to perform the same

Tissues
function

Organs Made from different tissues working together to perform a specific function

Groups of organs with related functions working together to perform body

Organ systems
functions

Levels of organisation diagram

An example of the different levels of organisation

Levels of Organisation Examples Table

Organ system Organ Tissue

 Epidermis mesophyll

Shoot system Leaf, stem, flower, fruit  Xylem

 Phloem

Root system Root, tuber  Xylem

 Phloem
  Ground tissue

 Muscle

Oesophagus, stomach, small  Connective

Digestive system
and large intestines  Nerve

 Epithelial

 Muscle

 Connective
Circulatory system Heart, arteries, veins
 Nerve

 Epithelial

Immune system Thymus, spleen  Bone marrow

 Muscle

 Connective
Respiratory system Trachea, bronchi, lungs
 Nerve

 Epithelial

 Muscle

 Connective
Excretory system Liver, kidney, skin, lungs
 Nerve

 Epithelial

Nervous system Brain , spinal cord  Nerve

 Muscle

Ovary, uterus, vagina, penis,  Connective

Reproductive system
testes  Nerve

 Epithelial