**Chapter 8: Cell - The Unit of Life**
**8.1 What is a Cell?**
- Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of all living
organisms. They can be unicellular (single-celled) or multicellular (many
cells) .
- Unicellular organisms can perform all essential functions of life
independently.
**8.2 Cell Theory**
- Proposed by Matthias Schleiden and Theodore Schwann, stating:
1. All living organisms are composed of cells and their products.
2. All cells arise from pre-existing cells (Rudolf Virchow) .
**8.3 An Overview of Cell**
- Cells can be prokaryotic (without a membrane-bound nucleus) or
eukaryotic (with a membrane-bound nucleus) .
- Eukaryotic cells contain organelles like the nucleus, endoplasmic
reticulum, and mitochondria, while prokaryotic cells lack these
structures .
**8.4 Prokaryotic Cells**
- Represented by bacteria and blue-green algae, prokaryotic cells are
generally smaller and multiply rapidly. They can have various shapes:
bacillus (rod), coccus (spherical), vibrio (comma), and spirillum (spiral) .
- Prokaryotic cells have a cell wall, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm,
but lack a defined nucleus .
**8.5 Eukaryotic Cells**
- Eukaryotic cells include protists, plants, animals, and fungi. They have
organized nuclei and membrane-bound organelles .
- Plant cells have cell walls, plastids, and large vacuoles, while animal
cells have centrioles .
**8.5.1 Cell Membrane**
- Composed of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins, the plasma
membrane is selectively permeable, facilitating transport of molecules .
**8.5.2 Cell Wall**
- A rigid structure that provides shape and protection, found in plants
and fungi .
**8.5.3 Endomembrane System**
- Includes the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes,
and vacuoles, coordinating functions within the cell .
**8.5.3.1 Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)**
- Rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis; smooth ER synthesizes
lipids .
**8.5.3.2 Golgi Apparatus**
- Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or use
within the cell .
**8.5.3.3 Lysosomes**
- Contain hydrolytic enzymes for digestion of macromolecules .
**8.5.3.4 Vacuoles**
- Membrane-bound spaces for storage of substances; large in plant cells
.
**8.5.4 Mitochondria**
- Known as the "powerhouse of the cell," they are involved in aerobic
respiration and ATP production .
**8.5.5 Plastids**
- Include chloroplasts for photosynthesis, chromoplasts for pigment
storage, and leucoplasts for nutrient storage .
**8.5.6 Ribosomes**
- Sites of protein synthesis, composed of RNA and proteins; eukaryotic
ribosomes are 80S, while prokaryotic ribosomes are 70S .
**8.5.7 Cytoskeleton**
- A network of protein filaments providing structural support and
facilitating movement .
**8.5.8 Cilia and Flagella**
- Hair-like structures aiding in cell movement; cilia are shorter and more
numerous than flagella .
**8.5.9 Centrosome and Centrioles**
- Organelles involved in cell division, containing centrioles that form the
spindle apparatus .
**8.5.10 Nucleus**
- Contains chromatin and nucleoli, controlling cellular activities and
heredity .
**8.5.11 Microbodies**
- Small vesicles containing enzymes, present in both plant and animal
cells .
**Summary**
- Cells are the basic units of life, varying in structure and function.
Eukaryotic cells have complex organelles, while prokaryotic cells are
simpler. The cell membrane regulates transport, and organelles like
mitochondria and plastids perform essential metabolic functions .
