CHAPTER 2: CELL AS A BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

Cell – structure, function and organization

• Cells are the basic unit that builds on all living things. It
performs all life functions such as growth, reproduction,
respiration and excretion
• Cells are divided into two types:
-animal cells
-plant cells
Cell division / Division process

• to form new cells

• replace damaged cells
-Draw
-Label
-Function
Comparison between animal cells and plant cells
Let’s try out!!!
2) Diagram below shows the structure of a living cell.
(a) Label the structures A, B, C and D.
(b) (i) Identify the type of living cell.

(ii) Give a reason for your answer.

UNICELLULAR & MULTICELLULAR
ORGANISMS
• Unicellular organisms are organisms that have only one
cell.
• Example: Paramecium, Chlamydomonas, Euglena,
Amoeba
UNICELLULAR & MULTICELLULAR
ORGANISMS
• Multicellular organisms are organisms that consist of
more than one cell.
• Example: Hydra, Spirogyra, Mucor, cat & human
 Recall back~
1) If a plant cell and an animal cell are observed under a
microscope, what are the characteristics of the cells that enable
you to identify the cell as a plant cell?

Plant cells have cell wall, chloroplast, vacuole and fixed shape
2) Three students are talking about cells. Their conversation is as below.
Mei Foong: In my opinion, all organisms consist of one cell only.
Keetha: My opinion is that some organisms consist of one cell while other
organisms consist of many cells to carry out various functions.
Hidayah: I do not agree. All living things are complex and consist of many cells to
carry out various functions.

In your opinion, which student’s statement is correct? Give reasons to

support your choice.
Keetha is right. This is because there are unicellular and multicellular organisms around
us. Unicellular organisms are organisms that consist of one cell while multicellular
organisms are organisms that consist of more than one cell. Examples of unicellular
organisms are Amoeba and yeast while examples of multicellular organisms are Hydra
and human. Although unicellular organisms consist of only one cell, the organisms can
undergo all living processes like growth and reproduction.
3) Amirah and Azma collected a water sample from a pond. They found
an organism inside a drop of the water when it was observed using a
microscope.

Amirah thinks that the organism is a type of animal but Azma feels
that the organism is a type of plant. In your opinion, which is the better
statement regarding the organism above? Give a reason.

This organism has both animal and plant cell’s characteristics. Just like a plant cell, this
organism contains chlorophyll to carry out photosynthesis. And just like an animal cell,
this organism has flagellum or tail to move.
 The Types and Functions of
Animal Cells and Plant Cells
Animal cells: Plant cells:
• Epithelium cells • Epidermal cells
• Muscle cells • Palisade cells
• Nerve cells • Guard cells
• White blood cells • Root hair cells
• Red blood cells
• Reproductive cells
Order of Cell Organisation (In animals)

Cell Tissue Organ System Organism

Order of Cell Organisation (In plants)

Cell Tissue Organ System Organism

Systems in the Human Body
Let’s try out!!!

Respiratory system Muscular system

Digestive system
 Let’s try out!!!
1) Name the cells below.
2) Zuliha carried out an investigation to study cells that formed the heart.
In your opinion, which cell in Figure below assists in the contraction and
relaxation of the heart muscles?
Give your reasons.

Q. Q is a muscle cell that can contract and expand.

3) Figure below shows the organisation of a system in a human.

State the system and discuss its functions.

Blood circulatory system.

This system functions to transport nutrients, hormones and to fight
diseases
4) Explain why the skin is an organ and not a tissue.

Skin is an organ because it is composed of a combination of

epithelium tissue, connective tissue, blood tissue and nerve
tissue. These tissues work together to perform specific
functions.
5) Give one example of an organ. Predict the condition of a human if
he loses the organ.

Humans cannot perform certain functions if they lose one of the

organs. For example, kidney failure would cause failure in the
excretory process. Without the excretory process, blood will be
poisonous and it will damage other organs. This could lead to
fatality if the poison cannot be eliminated through a dialysis
machine
 Respiration
Respiration can be divided into external respiration (breathing)
and internal respiration (cell respiration).

• Breathing involves exchange of gases between the organism and

environment whereas cell respiration is the oxidation process and
break down of glucose that occur inside living cells to release energy
• Cell respiration requires oxygen and glucose to produce energy,
carbon dioxide and water.

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy

 Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a process that synthesizes its own food.
It requires sunlight, carbon dioxide, water and chlorophyll to
produce glucose and oxygen.

Light energy
Carbon dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen
Chlorophyll
Process of Photosynthesis
The processes of cell respiration and photosynthesis complement each other
 CELL RESPIRATION

Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Light energy
Carbon dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen
Chlorophyll
 The Differences between
Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis
Let’s try out!!!