THE INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL, DUBAI

CHAPTER 5
THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE
GRADE 9
1. What are tools / devices used for magnification to study living organisms?
Electron microscope
Compound microscope
Simple microscope
Magnifying lens

2. How are organism classified based on number of cells present in the body? Give
examples
Those organisms whose body is made up of one cell they are called unicellular
organisms.
e.g Amoeba, Chlamydomonas, Paramoecium and bacteria

Those organisms whose body comprises many cells are called multicellular
organisms.
e.g. Fungi, plants and animals.

3. Every multi-cellular organism has come from a single cell. Scientifically judge the
statement.
Every multicellular organism is formed from a single celled called zygote which is
formed after fertilization from male and female gamete.

4. Identify the following cells from human body, write one function of each. Why these
cells show diversity in shape and size?

Cell Function
A smooth muscle cell Helps in involuntary movement of internal
organs
B blood cells Provide immunity [WBC] and carry
oxygen[RBC].
C nerve cell Impulse transmission
D ovum Involve in fertilization to produce zygote
E sperm Involve in fertilization to produce zygote

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 F fat cell Store fat and provide insulation.
G bone cell Support and provide framework to body
Cells show diversity in shape and size to perform its function effectively.
Shape and size of the cell is determined by function it performs.

5. Name a cell which can change its shape and a cell which has typical shape.
A cell which can change its shape- Amoeba/ WBC
A cell which has typical shape- Nerve cell

6. Each living cell has the capacity to perform certain basic functions that are
characteristic of all living forms. How does a living cell perform these basic
functions?
A cell is able to live and perform all its functions because of cell organelles like
mitochondria, ribosome and golgi bodies etc. These organelles together constitute
the basic unit called the cell. Cell organelle performs particular function. It is
interesting that all cells are found to have the same organelles, no matter what their
function is or what organism they are found in.

7. Explain division of labour with respect to cell and organs in human body?
In a cell mitochondria produce energy, vacuoles store materials and golgi apparatus
pack and deliver materials. Different organs have also got specific functions like
heart pump, stomach digest and lungs exchange gases etc. So work is divided and
given to specific structures.

8. What is a Cell Made Up of? What is the Structural Organisation of a Cell?

Three main basic features of cell are plasma membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm. Cell
is composed of various cell organelles in addition to plasma membrane, nucleus and
cytoplasm.

9. What are the functions of plasma membrane?

 This is the outermost covering of the cell that separates the contents of the
cell from its external environment.
 The plasma membrane allows or permits the entry and exit of some materials
in and out of the cell.
 It also prevents movement of some other materials.
 Protection of cell

10. Why plasma membrane is called as selectively permeable membrane?

The plasma membrane allows or permits the entry and exit of some materials in and
out of the cell. It also prevents movement of some other materials. So plasma
membrane is called as selectively permeable membrane.

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11. How does the movement of substances take place into the cell? How do substances
move out of the cell?
Type of Process Substances
movement
Diffusion It is the spontaneous movement of a substance from carbon
a region of high concentration to a region where its dioxide or
concentration is low. oxygen

Osmosis The movement of water molecules from a region of water

higher water concentration to a region lower water
concentration through a semi permeable
membrane.

12. How is the cellular waste co2 excreted out of the cell?
Due to various metabolic reactions cellular waste CO2 is formed inside the cell

CO2 accumulates in high concentrations inside the cell

The concentration of CO2 is low in cells external environment

Develop a concentration difference of CO2 inside and outside of the cell

CO2 moves out of the cell, from a region of high concentration, to a region of low
concentration

13. What is osmosis?

How do osmosis different from diffusion?
The movement of water molecules from a region of higher water concentration to a
region lower water concentration through a semi permeable membrane is called
osmosis.

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14. Explain how solutions are classified based on concentration of salt and can cause
movement of water in and out of cells?
HYPOTONIC ISOTONIC HYPERTONIC
If the medium If the medium has exactly If the medium has a
surrounding the cell has a the same water lower concentration of
higher water concentration as the cell, water than the cell,
concentration than the there will be no net meaning that it is a very
cell, meaning that the movement of water concentrated solution,
outside solution is very across the cell membrane. the cell will lose water
dilute, the cell will gain Such a solution is known by osmosis. Such a
water by osmosis. Such a as an isotonic solution. solution is known as a
solution is known as a hypertonic solution.
hypotonic solution.

15. What is the impact of following solutions on plant and animal cell? Support your
answer.
Hypotonic, Hypertonic and Isotonic.
Solutions Animal cell Plant cell
Hypertonic Shrink and lysed[ because Shrink and plasmolysed
concentration of water inside [because concentration of water
cell is more compared to inside cell is more compared to
solution outside, so water move solution outside, so water move
out of the cell] out of the cell]
Isotonic Net Movement of water is zero, Net Movement of water is zero,
so no change in shape of cell. so no change in the shape of
the cell.
hypotonic Swell up can burst[ because Swell up, mostly won’t burst as
concentration of water inside it has rigid cell wall[ because
cell is less compared to solution concentration of water inside
outside, so water move into the cell is less compared to solution
cell] outside, so water move into the
cell]
16. Identify the process involved:
a) Unicellular freshwater organisms and most plant cells tend to gain water
b) Absorption of water by plant roots
c) Exchange of gases
d) Cell obtains nutrition from its environment
a) osmosis
b) osmosis
c) diffusion
d) diffusion

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17. What make plasma membrane?
Write features of it.
Plasma membrane made up of organic molecules called lipids and proteins.
The plasma membrane is living, thin and flexible.

18. Name the process by which Amoeba acquires its food. What specific feature of
plasma membrane helps the organism in this process?
Amoeba acquires its food through Endocytosis [More specifically phagocytosis]
specific feature of plasma membrane help the organism in this process is its flexible
nature.

19. Write a brief note on cell wall.

 The cell wall lies outside the plasma membrane.
 Cell wall is mainly composed of cellulose
 Occur outer to plasma membrane
 It is a complex substance and provides structural strength to plants
 Cell wall is absent in animals.

20. What is plasmolysis? What causes plasmolysis?

When a living plant cell loses water through osmosis there is shrinkage or
contraction of the contents of the cell away from the cell wall. This phenomenon is
known as plasmolysis.
It is caused by hypertonic solution, when a cell is immersed in hypertonic solution,
solution outside the cell is having less water concentration, it causes movement of
water from cell to cell exterior. There by contraction of the contents of the cell away
from the cell wall occur.

21. How are fungi and bacteria adapted to withstand very dilute (hypotonic) external
media without bursting?
Cell walls permit the cells of plants, fungi and bacteria to withstand very dilute
(hypotonic) external media without bursting.In such media the cells tend to take up
water by osmosis. The cell swells, building up pressure against the cell wall. The wall
exerts an equal pressure against the swollen cell. Because of their walls, such cells
can withstand much greater changes in thesurrounding medium than animal cells.

22. Name the solution used for preparing temporary mount of leaf peel.
List any three stain used for studying cells. Why do we use stain to study cells?
The solution used for preparing temporary mount of leaf peel is safranin.
Three stain used for studying cells are Iodine and Safranin for plant cells[onion cell]
and Methylene blue for animal cells[cheek cell].

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23. What is nuclear membrane? What is its role?
The nucleus has a double layered covering called nuclear membrane. The nuclear
membrane has pores which allow the transfer of material from inside the nucleus to
its outside, that is, to the cytoplasm. It also protects chromosome and nucleolus.

24. a) Write on chromosomes.

b) What are the differences between chromosome and chromatin?
 The nucleus contains chromosomes, which are visible as rod-shaped
structures only when the cell is about to divide.
 Chromosomes contain information for inheritance of features from parents to
next generation in the form of DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) molecules.
 Chromosomes are composed of DNA and protein. DNA molecules contain the
information necessary for constructing and organizing cells. The functional
segment of DNA is called gene.
Chromosome chromatin
Rod like structure inside the Entangled mass of thread like
nucleus structures inside nucleus
Very active during cell division Active throughout the interphase.
Whenever a cell is about to divide, the chromatin material gets organized
into chromosome.

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25. What is the role of nucleus?
 The nucleus plays a central role in cellular reproduction
 It also plays a crucial part, along with the environment, in determining the
way the cell will develop and what form it will exhibit at maturity, by
directing the chemical activities of the cell.
 Have hereditary materials for the inheritance of traits.
 Control cell activities like cell growth and repair

26. a) Why some cells have poorly defined nuclear region?

b) What would you call for such regions? Give example.
c) What would you call for those organisms with poorly defined nuclear region?
a) Some cells have poorly defined nuclear region because they lack a nuclear
membrane.
b) Poorly defined nuclear region is called nucleoid. Example is bacteria.
c) Those organisms with poorly defined nuclear region are called prokaryotes.

27. How a prokaryotic cell is able to perform activities without most of cell organelles?
Many of the functions of such organelles are performed by poorly organized parts of
the cytoplasm . The chlorophyll in photosynthetic prokaryotic bacteria is associated
with membranous vesicles (bag like structures) but not with plastids as in
eukaryotic cells

28. Sketch prokaryotic cell. Label the following parts

A]Outermost protective structure specific to plants and bacteria
B]Outer protective membrane
C]Organelle concerned with production of protein
D]Undefined nuclear region
A-CELLWALL
B-PLASMAMEMBRANE
C-RIBOSOME
D-NUCLEIOD
*** Its compulsory to identify with specific sub question number.

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29. Define cytoplasm. How can you differentiate cytoplasm from other regions of cell
interior?
The cytoplasm is the fluid content inside the plasma membrane.
This region takes up very little stain after the process of staining.

30. Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.

e.g Bacteria e.g. Cells of human, Amoeba

31. Define cell organelle. Example

Membrane bound little structures seen inside the cell which perform unique
function.
Ribosome/ Mitochondria are examples

32. What do mean by endoplasmic reticulum? What are the types? What is the basis of
classification?

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large network of membrane-bound tubes and

sheets. It looks like long tubules or round or oblong bags (vesicles). There are two
types of ER– rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum
(SER).
RER SER
RER looks rough under a microscope They don’t have ribosomes attached
because it has particles calledribosomes to its surface.
attached to its surface.
These are sites of protein manufacture. The SER helps in the manufacture of
fat molecules, or lipids

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33. What would you call for synthesis of membrane of cell organelles? Explain
Membrane biogenesis.
RER are sites of protein manufacture .The SER helps in the manufacture of fat
molecules, or lipids, important for cell function. Some of these proteins and lipids
help in building the cell membrane. This process is known as membrane biogenesis.

34. Describe the role of ER.

 RER are sites of protein manufacture.
 SER helps in the manufacture of fat molecules
 Involve in membrane biogenesis.
 Some proteins and lipids synthesized from ER function as enzymes and
hormones.
 It forms a membrane network system.
 Serve as channels for the transport of materials (especially proteins) between
various regionsof the cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
 cytoplasmic framework providing a surface for some of the biochemical
activities of the cell
 In the liver cells of the group of animals called vertebrates, SER plays a crucial
role in detoxifying many poisons and drugs.

35. Sketch and label plant cell.

36. Sketch and label animal cell.

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37. What is golgi apparatus?
The Golgi apparatus, or Golgi complex, functions as a factory in which proteins received from
the ER are further processed and sorted for transport to their eventual destinations. Golgi
apparatus consists of a system of membrane-bound vesicles arranged approximately
parallel to each other in stacks called cisterns.

38. Describe the role of Golgi apparatus.

 It constitutes the portion of complex cellular membrane system.
 The material synthesised near the ER is packaged and dispatched to various
targets inside and outside the cell through the Golgi apparatus.
 Its functions include the storage,modification and packaging of products in
vesicles.
 Complex sugars may be made from simple sugars in the Golgi apparatus.
 The Golgi apparatus is also involved in the formation of lysosomes

39. Scientifically evidence the statement: Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system
of the cell.
Lysosomes help to keep the cell clean by digesting any foreign material as well as
worn-out cell organelles. Foreign materials entering the cell, such as bacteria or food,
as well as old organelles end up in the lysosomes, which break them up into small
pieces. Lysosomes are able to do this because they contain powerful digestive
enzymes capable of breaking down all organic material.

40. Why lysosomes are called as suicidal bags? How the structure of lysosome helps for
this?
During the disturbance in cellular metabolism, for example, when the cell gets
damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own cell. Therefore,
lysosomes are also known as the ‘suicidebags’ of a cell.
Structurally, lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes.
Lysosomes are able to do this because they contain powerful digestive enzymes
capable of breaking down all organic material.

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41. Name the organelle concerned with production of lysosome.
Golgi apparatus. The enzymes are made by ER.

42. Name the structure present in the cell which is called as power house. Why it is
called so?Briefly describe the structure.
Mitochondria are known as the powerhousesof the cell.
The energy required for various chemical activities needed for life is released by
mitochondria in the form of ATP (Adenosine triphopshate) molecules. ATP is known
as the energy currency of the cell. The body uses energy stored in ATP for making
new chemical compounds and for mechanicalwork.

Mitochondria have two membrane coverings instead of just one. The outer
membrane is very porous while the inner membrane is deeply folded. These folds
create a large surface area for ATP-generating chemical reactions.

43. Why mitochondrion is called as semi autonomous organelle /strange organelle?

Name one more semi autonomous organelle present in cell.
Mitochondria are strange organelles in the sense that they have their own DNA and
ribosomes. Therefore, mitochondria are able to make some of their own proteins.
Plastid also known semi autonomous organelle.

44. What are types of plastids? What is its role?

There are two types of plastids – chromoplasts(coloured plastids)
leucoplasts (white orcolourless plastids).
 Leucoplasts are primarily organelles in which materials such as starch, oils
and protein granules arestored.
 Chromoplasts give color to petals for attracting insects for pollination.
 Chloroplast does photosynthesis

45. What is chloroplast? What is its role?

Plastids containing the pigment chlorophyll are known as chloroplasts. Chloroplasts
are important for photosynthesis in plants. Chloroplasts also contain various yellow
or orange pigments in addition to chlorophyll.

46. Explain the structure of chloroplast.

 The internal organisation of the chloroplast consists of numerous membrane

layers embedded in a material called the stroma.
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  Have double layered outer membrane.
 Have it’sown DNA and ribosomes.

47. Name two organelles with own DNA and ribosome. What would you call for such
organelles?
Mitochondria and Plastid.
Strange organelles / Semi autonomous organelles

48. What are vacuoles? Describe the role.

Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid contents.
 In plant cells vacuoles are full of cell sap and provide turgidity and rigidity to
the cell.
 Many substances of importance in the life of the plant cell are stored in
vacuoles. These include amino acids, sugars, various organic acids and some
proteins.
 In single-celled organisms like Amoeba, the food vacuole contains the food
items that the Amoeba has consumed.
 In some unicellular organisms specialized vacuoles also play important roles
in expelling excess water and some wastes from the cell.

49. Why cell is called as structural and functional unit of cell of life?
Each cell has got specific structure and ability to function because of the organization
of its membrane and organelles in specific ways. The cell thus has a basic structural
organization. This helps the cells to perform functions like respiration, obtaining
nutrition, and clearing of waste material, or forming new proteins.Thus, the cell is
the fundamental structural unit of living organisms. It is also the basic functional unit
of life.

50. Compare and contrast plant cell and animal cell?

51. What do mean by cell division? Identify the division taking place in reproductive
cells and in normal cells of the body. How do they show differences?
The process by which new cells are formed is called cell division.
Reproductive cells – Meiosis
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 Normal body cells/ somatic cells – Mitosis

52. Identify A and B.

Which type of cell division promotes daughter cells which are genetically identical to the parent
cell?
In which type of division chromosome number reduced to half in daughter cells? Why?

A- Meiosis B- Mitosis
B, mitosis is the type of cell division promotes daughter cells that are genetically identical
to the parent cell.
Chromosome number reduced to half in Meiosis ‘A’ because involves two
consecutive divisions.

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