CELLS: The Basic units of Life

Think about a house. The

smallest unit a house is
made of is a brick. The
same thing applies to
living organisms. The
- All cells do not look the same- they differ in size, shape & “bricks” they are made of
structure in order to perform specific functions. are cells.
- We call this = differentiation
- Cells become specialized to perform a specific function =
specialization.
E.g. Muscle cells contract & relax
Nerve cells conduct impulses
Glandular cells secrete substances (secretion)

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 CELLS: The Basic units of Life
The Light Microscope:
Eyepiece (ocular) : consists of the set of lenses closest to the eye for
magnification (e.g. 10 x)
Microscope tube: holds the eyepiece in position and connects it to the
Coarse adjustment knob: moves the microscope objectives.
tube using large movements to bring the
specimen clearly into focu. Nosepiece: holds the objectives and can be rotated to focus the
different objectives on the specimen.

Fine adjustment knob: moves the Objectives: 3 objectives with different magnifications that are
microscope tube for a precise and attached to the nosepiece, each having a set of lenses that magnifies
final adjustment or focus. the lenses.

Clips: hold the specimen slide in position on the stage.

Arm: handle use to carry the
microscope and to which the Stage: flat surface with an opening through which light shines and on
microscope tube, adjustments which the specimen slide is placed for study.
knobs and stage are attached.
Condensor: concentrates light rays from the light source onto the
specimen.
Hinge: enables the arm to be
moved to different angles. Iris diaphragm: opening in the condenser; a small lever is used to
regulate the amount of light that shines on the specimen.

Light source: provides light that shines through the opening in the
Copyright Brainiac 2020 stage, as well as through the mounted specimen , up to the eye.
Cell Membrane = very thin and forms the
outer, living boundary of cytoplasm.
- Consist of a double layer of
Basic Cell Components:
phospholipid molecules with large
protein molecules.
- Each phospholipid molecule consist of a Active transport= sometimes
head & tail. molecules need to move from a
- The cell membrane is not static, low concentration to a high
because the phospholipid molecules & concentration and needs energy
protein can move around. for this process.
Function:
• Selectively/differentially permeable
and controls the movement of
substances in and out of the cell.

Diffusion = the spontaneous Osmosis= a special type

Substances such as water, gases, dissolved salts movement of molecules of a liquid or of diffusion where the
as well as amino acids & glucose continuously gas from an area of high concentration particles that are move
move into and out of a cell. to an area of low concentration until are water molecules and
The following processes are responsible for this equilibrium is reached. the movement takes
movement: Concentration gradient = the place across a selectively
- Diffusion difference between the high permeable membrane.
- Osmosis concentration of molecules in one
- Active transport area and the low concentration of the
same molecules in another are. Copyright Brainiac 2020

Basic Cell Components:
Protoplasm = living
material in plant &
animal cells. Consist
of the cytoplasm and
the neucleoplasm in
the nucleus.
Organelle = a mebrane-
bound structure that is
found in the cytoplasm
of a cell and performs a
specific function.
Cytoplasm= jelly-like liquid.
Functions:
• The site of all metabolic processes.
• Cyclosis= substances circulate through
the movement of cytoplasm.
• Stores substances essential to life.
• Helps maintain the shape of the cell.
Nucleus= a prominent round shaped
structure in the cytoplasm that contains
the DNA of a cell (genetic material).
Consists of 4 parts:
1. Nuclear membrane : a double
membrane that encloses the nucleus
and contains small pores (control the
passage of substances in and out of
the nucleus).
2. Nucleoplasm: jelly-like fluid which the
nucleus is filled with.
3. Nucleolus: dark body that consists of
RNA & proteins and is visible in the
nucleoplasm.
4. Chromatin network: tangled threads
that shortens & thickens during cell
division to form chromosomes.
Functions:
- Controls all activities of the cell.
- Chromosomes carry hereditary
characteristics from cell to cell to the
next generation.
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Ribosomes= small spherical structures
that consist of RNA & proteins .
- They occur in the ER (Endoplasmic
reticulum), mitochondria, chloroplasts
and in groups in the cytoplasm
(polyribosomes).
Function:
Site of protein synthesis.
Mitochondria=cylindrically shaped,
hollow rod that can be seen as the
“powerhouse” of the cell.
Structure:
- Enclosed by a double membrane- the
outer membrane is smooth and the
inner membrane contain finger-like
folds known as cristae.
- Filled with a semi-fluid substance =
matrix.
- Contains ribosomes & enzymes.
Function:
Cellular respiration= energy is released
from glucose in the presence of oxygen.
Basic Cell Components:
Endoplasmic Reticulum = a fine
membranous network found in plant &
animal cells that forms a continuous
system of canals throughout the
cytoplasm.
Two types:
Rough ER – has ribosomes on it’s surface
Smooth ER- has no ribosomes on it’s
surface.
Vacuoles= fluid-filled compartments in the
cytoplasm.
- Enclosed by a selectively permeable
membrane = tonoplast.
- Filled with fluid = cell sap.
- Cell sap consist of water & dissolved
substances.
- In plant cells vacuoles are large and
prominent.
- In animal cells they are small or
absent.
Functions:
- The cell sap in the vacuole causes
turgor pressure that gives the plant cell
rigidity.
Other types of vacuoles:
- Food vacuoles
- Vesicles
- Lysosomes
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Differences between Plant & Animal cells:
PLANT CELLS ANIMAL CELLS
Cell wall present Cell wall absent

Plastids present Plastids absent

Large vacuole present Vacuole small or absent
Lysosomes absent Lysosomes present
Centrosomes absent Centrosomes present
Fixed shape Irregular shape

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 Plastids
There are 3 type of
PLANT CELL
plastids we’ll be looking
at:
- Chloroplasts
- Chromoplasts
- Leucoplasts

Chloroplasts:
- Occur in the photosynthesizing
parts of the plant (leaves).
- Surrounded by a double
membrane.
- Filled with a fluid matrix =
stroma.
- In the stroma are disc-shaped
membranes known as lamellae.
- The lamellae form small stacks Chromoplasts: Leucoplasts:
known as grana. - Occur in yellow, orange and red - Colorless plastids that
- The green pigment chlorophyll is flowers, leaves & fruits. mainly occur in cells that
embedded in the lamellae. - Contain pigments = carotenoids. store food in insoluble
Chlorophyll – absorbs sunlight for form. Copyright Brainiac 2020
photosynthesis.
Cell Wall:
- Non-living PLANT CELL
Consist of 3 parts:
Primary cell wall
• Thin and occurs on the outside of
the cell membrane.
• Consist of cellulose fibres that can
stretch as the cell grows.
Middle lamella
• Consist of pectin and occurs
outside the primary cell wall.
• Pectin = a soluble jelly-like
polysaccharide.
Secondary cell wall
• As the cell grows older, a
secondary cell wall develops
between the cell membrane and
the primary cell wall.
• Consist of thick cellulose fibres Functions:
with lignin in between. • Protects the living content of the plant
• Inelastic cell.
• Gives rigidity to the plant cell.
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 ANIMAL CELL Centrosomes:
- Area in the cytoplasm near
Lysosomes: the nucleus of the animal
- Small vacuoles that are filled cell.
with digestive enzymes. - In the centrosome are 2
- Play a role in food digestion. small cylinder-shaped
structures known as
centrioles.
Function:
In animal cells, the centrioles
play a role in the formation of
the spindle during mitosis.

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