MIND ACTION SERIES NATURAL SCIENCES ara Tell Rk A Continuously updated to comply with the National Curriculum and Assessment Bm ura Ooo) PE CU Ee a Seed MIND ACTION Sani) MC oe rc)LIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life CHAPTER 1 BASIC UNI 'S OF LIE {LLS, TH At the end of this module you will be able to: + Explain the structure of a typical cel imal cells, * Understand the differences between plant and + Explain the functions of certain prominent cell organelles. LLS AS STRUCTURAL UNITS OF LIFE e cell is the smallest structural unit of life. Microscopic organisms such as bacteria, consist only of a single cell. Macroscopic organisms such as animals, plants and humans, consist of large numbers of cells, Therefore, all organisms (unicellular or multi-cellular) are made up of one or more cells (1804-1881), a botanist, formulated the cell theory: “The cell is the basic structural and. functional unit of all living organisms. All living organisms consist of one or more cells, 4 and each of these cells has the basic charac- | teristics of life.” Source: http:/www.xtimeline.com M.J. Schloiden Theodor Schwann, BASIC STRUCTURE OF A CELL ‘The diagram below illustrates the different parts of a typical cell: Different parts of a typical cellLIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life CYTOPLASM 5 cell membra The evtoplasm consists of the ground plasm and the cell mem Oe e © - eable. It controls the ee Ree eer CRATE selectively (differentially) permeable. It controls membrane envelopes the cell and 1s age of substances into and from the cell. en ariety of solutions ~ salts and gases are dissolved in the The liquid contents of the cell is actually a vi bs ara etc : 1 organelles (membrane-bound structures that ee Linea . iad ti i ets a in granules are found in Pl m and oil droplets as well as protein g Shige baerhbal pera a ll is usually more aM hile the ground plasm bordering the cell ground plasm; the ground pl ground plasm in the central part of the cell different particles and organelles to float around) wl membrane is more jelly-like. J Chemical processes take place in the ground plasm. All the chemical reactions and energy conversions that occur in a cell, are known as metabolism. Cell organelles ‘ _ Chloroplasts are found in plant cells only and are responsible for photosynthesis. They contain the green pigment chlorophyll that absorbs radiant energy from the sun and converts it into chemical potential energy. During photosynthesis water and carbon dioxide are used to form glucose, and oxygen is released. Elodea leaf-cells showing chloroplasts Source: http://www. biologie.uni-hamburg.de/ The mitochondria (single: mitochondrion) are the ‘power stations’ mitoch of the cell, respiration is the gradual release of energy from energy-rich fuel molecules ae — Orygen is essential and carbon dioxide and water is released, The process is controlled by enzyme The energy is used for cellular work (metabolism), y In animal cells the vacuoles, if present, are small and nu \utrition : 7 J Mel a i it (intracellular digestion) and osmoregulation (to get rid of mene eno en Plant cells have one large vacuole, a liqui », a liquid-filled sac surr Vacuoles lend support to the plant cell (turgor) and store dis plant cells is due to the amount of water inside the vacuoles, inded by a membrane, the tonoplast. ‘solved nutrients. Turgor pressure inLIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life FLACCID CELL. Water lost from cel vacuole shrinks, cel loses shape resulting in a decrease of The wilting of p’ pressor ‘The plant on the left wilted as result of water loss PRACTICAL ACTIVITY TO DEMONSTRATE TURGOR PRESSURE IN A PLANT CELL Requirements: * — Oneballoon * Aplastic bag Instructions: + Put the balloon in the plastic bag as illustrated in the diagram. + Diagram A represents the flaccid cell © Blow into the balloon to fill it with air + Diagram B represents a turgid cell; the inflated balloon represents a turgid vacuole and the air in the balloon represents the water in the vacuole of the cell Biow into the balloon A to inflate it B Air represents water Piastic (Cell membrane) Spe vaca Defiated balloon. (Defiated vacuole) Defiated plant cell Inflated plant cell (low turgor pressure) (high turgor pressure) CELL WALL Only plant cells have cell walls that are formed on the outside of the cell membrane. They consist of « network of cellulose fibres. The cell wall lends support and shape to the plant cell.uF NUCLEUS im, and is enclosed by a double membrap, The nucleus consists 0 ate ad a nuclear membrane A dense nycleopias nuclear pore nucleolus double chromatin nuclear ae membrane Diagram of a nucleus ‘A photomicrograph of @ nucleus ‘distinct nucleolus, granular nuceoplasm. The nucleus is surrounded by a n membrane clear http://course1.winona.edu cule that carries the genetic (hereditary) informatin all known living organisms. The DNA segments tht cells, DNA is organised into long structans etwork. In other words, a gene is th .d can be described as a specific setion for example eye colour, Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is 2 molt eed in the development and functioning of carry this genetic information are called genes. Within cated ehromosomes, usually visible as a chromatin n smallest unit of genetic ‘material found in a nucleus an ‘ofa DNA-molecule that carries the code for a specific characteristic, ‘Take note: Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus or any cellular bodies. Their genetic Jeus, Eukaryotic cells contain a variety: of cellular material (DNA) is not encased in a nucl bodies called organelles. The various vital functions (metabolism) of the cell occur in these organelles. Chromosomes Single chromosome NucleusLIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life 1 STRUCTURE OF A PLANT CE AND AN ANIMAL colt wat nucleolus rnucleoplasm nuclous ‘nuclear membrane mitochondrion tonoplast }—— cell sap Plant cell } vacuole | chloroplast |___ ground plasm Perr | cell membrane mitochonria Animal cell nucleolus chromatin network nucleus nucleoplasm ‘nuclear membrane ‘ground plasm } team cell membrane DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PLANT CELL AND AN ANIMAL CELL: PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL 1. Enclosed by a cell wall 1. Does not have a cell wall 2. Hasa large vacuole with cell sap 2, Hasno orvery small vacuoles 3. Has chloroplasts 3. Hasno chloroplasts Epidermal cells of an onion (nuclei stained) Epithelial colls from the inside of a human cheek ttp://www.microbehunter.com/ http://washington.uwe.edu/LIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life PRACTICAL ACTIVITY L TO BUILD A 3-DIMENSIONAL (30) MODEL OF A CELL Requirement: * Different colours elay + Aplastic white tray or plate + Apiece of paper to write labels Piece of string/wool or pins for label lines Instructions + Work in pairs, * Carefully read the section about the structure ofa cell in your text book. Study the diagrams of the cells in your text book. Use the clay to build a 3D-model of either an animal or a plant cell. Supply your model with labels using the paper and string or pins. Show and explain your model to your teacher and your friend. (When you have to talk out loud about something, you tend to remember it more easily.) Keep the models while you answer the following questions:, Questions: 1. Explain the difference between the vacuole(s) of a plant cell and an animal cell. (2+2) 2. Which organelles that occurs only in plant cells, are responsible for photosynthesis? @ 3. What is the function of a mitochondrion? ; @ 4. _ Domitochondria occur in plant and animal cells? , @ 5. Where in the cell does the DNA occur? What is the function of DNA? 6. Paste a photograph of your model here: a) io}is as the basic units of life LIFE AND LIVING: Cell itis necessary to know all the different ions, itis THE MICROSCOPE c invest Re ae a Farce yon ean do any microscopic invesiRMlOne ao us to study cells and yee Me he rhea ype an 1 how to handle the mit types of microscopes; fOr example the light microscope and ore are dif J ions of transpar il, There nt material and the electron mic organisms in great detail, ‘Ther ent material electron mcr sed to study thi microscope that is that is used to study eco lons ——— —— Eyer (ocular) Tube Coarse focus Nosepiece Fine focus Objectives lenses’ ‘Stage with lips (a) (b) Light microscopes usually used in a schoo! laboratory: (a) with electric light source and (b) with mirror Handling and care of microscope: + Always carry the microscope with both hands; one hand supports the base and the other hand holds the arm, * Cover the microscope with harmful to the microscope * — Donot touch the lenses or ti only. + _ Donot put any wet preparations on the stage. * All material should be mounted on a microsco, i i putting it on the stage, pe slide and covered with a cover slip, before * Donot remove the preparation if the lowest objective is not in place. * Always store the microscope with the lowest magnification in position, Plastic or a cloth when not in use. Dust and moisture in the air are ry to clean them with cloth or tissue paper. Use special lens papet Using the microscope * Place the microscope on a steady hori ly horisontal surfac cee eet n e f aaa jective with the lowest magnifica n in position, wait fe f Switch onthe power or put the mirror in position |, Wait for the click. * Put the preparation on the stage * You'll learn how to make a preparati rat i Sensta ne aration of the material when you do the practical on the Use the ocular and coarse adjustme nt knob to obtain 4 sharp, focused image.LIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life + Use the diaphragm and the condenser to adjust the amount of light moving through the object + Make notes or drawings + Ifyou want to study the speciman at a higher magnification, use the fine adjustment knob to focus * Make sure that the lens DOES NOT touch the material + When you remove the preparation from the stage, the lowest magnification (object) must be in position | LEARNING ACTIVITY PARTS OF A MICROSCOPE Study the following diagrams of microscopes generally used in schools: Zo>oomMm ro zrxe- ograre Example 1 Supply labels for each of the numbered parts: eo] =) =] ofofel>]- z|clals|-|= What is the function of each of the numbered parts? z)-]x) =] =]o]e]yfe a life LIFE AND LIVING: Cols as the basic — eet a LEARNING ACTIVITY L APPARATUS ed during microscopic investigations: ‘Studly the following apparatus generally us Wsite next to each name the leter of the corresponding apparatus AND state what each of the apparatus is used for during the microscopic investigation: NAME OF APPARATUS | LETTER | FUNCTION Forceps Microscopic slide a ‘Magnifying glass Petri dishof life L INVESTIGATION: STRUCTURE OF AN ANIMAL CELL LIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units PRACTIC: TO INVESTIGATE THE S meine ‘ Requirements: Glass beaker with water Paper towels Microscope slide Cover slip Pair of tweezers Dissecting needles ‘Toothpicks Instructions: : Use a clean toothpick to scrape a few cells from the inside of your cheek | Take note! It is NOT necessary to injure your cheek! ‘Mount in a drop of water on the microscope slide Use a dissection needle and spread the cells out on the slide ‘Cover with a cover slip Investigate first under low (use coarse adjustment screw). Focus on one cell only and investigate under high magnification (use fine adjustment screw) + Drawat least two cells * Make sure that you see the following structures and label them: cell membrane, nucleus, ground plasm * _Useyour cell phone and take a photograph of the image through the eyepiece ‘DIAGRAM: ANIMAL CELLLIFE AND LIVING: Cells as the basic units of life (CELLS AS FUNCTIONAL UNITS OF LIFE Cells are also the funetional units of all living organisms, because they can perform all the functions that characterise life, for example: growth, movement, reproduction, sensitivity, nutrition, respiration and excretion. These functions are also called vital functions. Cells are also adapted to perform specific functions, such as muscle cells which are specialised to and enable movement. In other words, cells are specialised to perform specific functions apart (rom their vital functions. Cells have different shapes and sizes — they are differentiated - to be able to perform their special functions. Aroot hair col has a A palisade cell has Awiite blood cell Asperm cell has a large surtace area to many chloroplasts ‘can change its shape _tail to move absorb water and for photosynthesis to engulf microbes. minerals easily c— & (a) @ ‘Avnerve cell has a long nerve fibre to carry messages to other cells. © Various shapes and sizes (a-¢) of cells. (You do not have to lear the names of the different types of cells!) LEVELS OF ORGANISATION Every organism consists of one or more cells. Even in the simplest form of life, for example a single bacterium cell, the processes that take place are very complex. The single cell is able to perform intricate processes such as growth, excretion, response to stimuli and feeding. There are basic principles that apply to the construction of a cell. One of them is the principle of ‘evels of organisation’. This organisation of matter into higher and higher levels of complexity, is found in all forms of life. Simple chemicals (atoms) combine into larger molecules; these molecules form ‘even larger and more complex macro-molecules. These macro-molecules are structural components of cellular constituents. ee Levels of organisation: atoms, molecules, macromolecules, organelles, cells. (not to scale) 13, ee eeLIFE AND LIVING: Celis as the basic units of life m are not all similar. ‘Th Ne cells composing the body of a multicellular organisr €Y do ny inde “I Fa Ocal a s group together. A group of cells, with the same yt of eaeh other; similar air De a funetion, that perform a common group funct ae oa An OFEAN consists of fer Vissuies organised into a structural unit that performs a specific fun ae system, consgg different organs, each with their own function, but with a common overall function, Plants are organisms on the organ level of organisation ne Epidermal colt Epidermal tissue Leaf Tree Cell = ————+ Tissue —_—_——> Organ ————> Organism ‘and most animals are on the system level of organisation yy ; 3 a Cardiac muscle cell Cardiac muscle tissue Heart Cell ————> Tissue ——___» Organism. Circulatory system — Human Organ ——+ system —___, LEARNING ACTIVITY STEM CELLS Instructions: 1, Read the article below and do some research on your own, 2 Write a short report to discuss one example of where stem cell research was applied to cure an injury or disease, 3: _ Include a short paragraph to state your own opinion why ethical procedures need tobe followed in stem cell research, Supply the report witha front page with a heading, Supply the name of your sources at the end of If diagrams or photos are used, they mast be supplied with a headh i they are taken. leading and source from which 7. Neatness is important. 8. Ask your teacher to discuss the reports in class, your name and the date, the report, oesUIPE AND LIVING: Cotte ay the bay ETHICAL PROCEDURES OF STEM CELL TRIALS http./www health24 com Stem cells are considered to be the basic building blocks of our body and are often referred to as master cells, having the potential to divide and develop into almost any other type of cell, xl with stem cell therapies and treatments being) growing sector in the medical field today, with over 70 diseases and disorders! fully being treated, Some of the fatal diseases and disorders currently being treated with stem cell therapy are! Leukaemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers, bone marrow disorders stich as Aplastic Anaemial and Sickle Cell Anaemia, | Recent successful transplants include the 4-year old boy who was successfully treated as part of the Cryo-Save Cost Free donation programme, The boy's suffering from Blackfan-Diamond anaemial (BDA) condition, received a stem cell transplant from his sister's umbilical cord blood. ‘Stem cell therapies in future The untapped potential of stem cell therapies lies in the future, with the field of stem cells having] immense potential, offering possible solutions for a wide variety of health conditions, Currently) there are promising results with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, acquired hearing loss in children, spinal cord repair, diabetes, arthritis, blindness and even open wounds such as burns and| frostbite. With the inherent ability to modify into different cell types, stem cells are an obvious} choice to use in trials involving these regressive and degenerative nerve conditions, Participating in clinical trials is an important means of validating treatment of a particular disease or testing a drug before it is introduced to the market in order to ascertain safety, effectiveness and| to see if this trial offers a superior or new solution to what is currently on the market, Approval of clinical trials Because these trials impact on the welfare and wellness of people, all clinical trials have al structured procedure and should be governed and regulated by a board such as the Federal Drug) Administration (FDA). Additionally all clinical trials should have ethical approval to ensure that no} one is harmed and that best practices are maintained. “A higher level of approval enables people to! gain a certain amount of comfort with regard to the validity of the research generated through the| trial,” says Louis Rehr], MD of Cryo-Save, “It is also advisable to include respected academies and| professionals who are key players in the particular field undergoing research to further validate the| trial. In this way clinical trials can be monitored so that the highest ethical standards are adhered| to, in order to guarantee patients are not exploited,” concludes Rehrl, Gathering of information and processing of data (ao) Reporting skills (10) Sources and bibliography 5) [25] NOTE: Your teacher will supply you with the criteria for the above,LIFE AND LIVING Cot ‘ASSESSMENT QUESTION t pasic units of life Js for numbers 1 to 6. pct label supply the correct 4 suucty the diagrams below and supP = 6) — 2 3 4 5 6 1.2 State the functions of number 3. @ 13 Name the type of pressure that builds up in number § when water enters the cell. 0) 1.4 State two functions of number § in plant cells. ( 1.5 State two functions of number 6 in a plant cell. @ 1.6 Name the cell organelle, found in both animal, and plant cells, where respiration occurs. (1) 1.7 Which organelles, that occur in both plant-and animal cells, are referred to as the “power houses” of a cell? @ (5) QUESTION 2 Instructions: * Study the following passage. ‘Answer the questions that follow as comprehensively as possible, ‘THE DISCOVERY OF THE MOLI E : CULAR STRUCTURE OF DNA — THE DOUBLE A SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH ‘Nine years later, in 1962, they shared the N Prize in Physiology or Medicine with buatLIFE AND LIVING: Colle ae the bawio unite of lite ccotiets paved the way for the exploration of DNA, Way back in 16H, alnvet bel Prize was awarded to Watson, Crick and Wilkins, a young wien Friedrich M ing no one had ever geen before from He called the compound “nuclein." ‘This is today called nuclele a ribo-nucleic-acid) and RNA (ribo-nucleie-aeid), r. the Czech monk, Gregor Mendel, had finished 4 series of experiments with out to be closely connected to the finding of nucl has their shape or eolour, w ages. These packages are what we now call yenen certain traits in the pe me the connection between nucleic acid and genes was not known, But in 1944, the + Oswald Avery managed to transfer the ability to cause disease from one ‘eria to another. But not only that: the previously harmless bacteria could also pass o the next generation. What Avery had moved was nucleie acid, This proved that nes were made up of nucleic acid. he puzzle + 1940's, the members of the scientific community were aware that DNA was most likely le of life, even though many were sceptical since it was so “simple,” They also knew NA included different amounts of the four bases adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine y abbreviated A, T, G and C), but nobody had the slightest idea of what the molecule might look like. order to solve the elusive structure of DNA, a few pieces of the puzzle needed to be put together. One was that the phosphate backbone was on the outside with bases on the inside; other that the molecule was a double helix. It was also important to figure out that the two | strands run in opposite directions and that the molecule had a specific base pairing, As in the solving of other complex problems, the work of many people was needed to establish the full picture. The original ONA model by Watson and Crick Photo: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Archive 21 “The sentence: “This structure has novel features which are of considerable biological interest” may be one of science’s most famous understatements.’ Supply any three reasons why you agree with this statement. @ 2.2 When (in which year) did Watson, Crick and Wilkins receive the Nobel prize? Oo) 2.3. What did they receive the Nobel prize for? Supply the exact wording, a) 7Or its of life \UFE AND LIVING: Colts as the basic uni 7 tists are mentioned that paved the way for Watson, Crick Jraw the table below and complete to ing 24 ke the extract, three scien! Wilkins to describe the shape of DNA. Red contributions Name | Year | Contribution made 25 Complete: ; F 5 DNA is called the molecule of (a) , because it carries the (b) information from one (e) to another 52 Certain traits (characteristics), such as eye colour, are inherited in specific packages. ‘packages’ are called (a), which are made up of (b) 2 Why were certain members of the scientific community sceptical, although they knew’ ‘DNA could most likely be the ‘molecule of life’? Read the following extract and answer questions 7 to 10: A woman's fingerprints on the fingerprints of life: (Mi /erchwe constantcontact.com