BIOLOGY

Cell :The Unit of Life

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 Important point to remember
* Cell organelles are of three types (i) Membraneless, e.g., ribosomes, centrioles, (ii) Single
membraneous, e.g.,endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, lysosomes, microbodies, sphaerosomes. (iii)
Double membraneous, e.g., mitochondria, plastids (in plant cells).
* Cell of alga Caulerpa may be upto one metre. Among multicellular organisms, human red blood cells
are about 7.0 μm in diameter, nerve fibres are the longest, upto 90 cm to few metres.
* Prokaryotic cells vary greatly in their size from 1 to10 μm in diameter. The smallest bacterium is
Dialister pneumosintes (0.15 to 0.3 μm in diameter) and the largest bacterium is Spirillum volutans
(500μm).
* In the cell wall of bacteria, there are 2 important sugar derivatives which are not found anywhere in the
biological world, i.e., NAG and NAM (N-acetyl glucosamine and
N-acetyl muramic acid).
* Many prokaryotes have extra chromosomal, circular DNA molecules called plasmids. The plasmid
DNA confers certain unique phenotypic characters to such bacteria like fertility factor, nif genes,
resistance factors and colicinogenic factors. Plasmids which can get associated
temporarily with nucleoid are known as episomes. It is used as vector in genetic engineering.
* In fungi, cell wall is made up of chitin (polymer of N-aetyl glucosamine).
* Lomasomes : They are vesicular and membranous structures usually present between cell wall and
plasmalemma of plant cells. Their definite function is not known but probably they help in cell wall
elaboration. They are mainly found in fungi.
* In fleshy fruits during ripening the pectic substances of the middle lamella are dissolved by the
proteolytic enzymes.The cells are, therefore, lossened and fruit becomes soft.
* The main functions of vacuoles are storage, transmission of the materials and the maintenance of
internal pressure of the cell.
* Cilia and flagella may not be able to vibrate due to (i) Absence of central fibrils. (ii) Deficiency of
dynein arms. In human beings, the immotile cilia syndrome leads to chronic bronchitis, sinusitis and
infertility.
* SAT-chromosomes are used as marker chromosomes.
* Outer layer of Gram-ve bacteria is made of lipopolysaccharides and in Gram +ve bacteria of teichoic
acid.
* In human beings, the membrane of the erythrocyte has approximately 52 per cent protein and 40 per
cent lipids.
* The approximate constitution of plant protoplasm is as follows :
Water – about 90%
Proteins – 7.2%
Carbohydrates – 2.0%
Fats – 1.0%
Minerals – 1.0%
DNA and RNA – in traces
* Materials to be packaged in the form of vesicles from the ER fuse with the forming face of the Golgi
apparatus and move towards the maturing face. This explains, why the Golgi apparatus remains in close
association with the endoplasmic reticulum.
* In plant cells the Golgi complex is known as dictyosome. It secretes necessary materials for cell wall
formation during cell division. Vesicles of Golgi body secrete Ca++ and Mg++
pectates that forms middle lamella between two plant cells. Golgi bodies form acrosome during
spermiogenesis.
* Nucleus is the ‘controlling centre of cell’ was proved by J. Hammerling (1934), by grafting
experiments on two species of unicellular green alga Acetabularia.

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 Fig: Formation of lysosomes and intracellular digestion in them.

* To study plant and animal cells always make descriptive figures and compare their organelles.
* Logical thinking helps to recall to memory the basics of the science. Remember the function of cell
organelles by comparing with basic body parts, Like
• Nucleus should be compared with human heart. Like heart controls the heartbeat of human body
similarly nucleus functions as the heartbeat of cell. As it is the control centre of cell.
• Compare cell membrane with skin layer. Both are the outer covering of body muscles and cell
respectively.
* Make table of similarities and differences of plant and animal cells for better understanding.
* Remember the characteristics feature differentiate the following:
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
• Plant and animal cell
* Don't leave functions of organelles, structure of chloroplast and mitochondria.
* Make flow chart of organelles which show their important role and membranous structure.
* Use different colored pen to colour organelles based on their membrane structure (such as
single, double and nonmembranous),characteristic organelle of [plant or animal cell etc.

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