WEEK FIVE
THE CELLL
CONTENT
Definition of cell and forms of cellular existence
Cell structure and functions of the cell components
Similarities and Differences between plant and animal cell
Cell theory
DEFINITION AND FORMS OF CELLULAR EXISTENCE
The cell is the simplest, smallest, basic, structural and functional unit of life. The cell can
carry out all life activities such as growth, respiration e. t. c.
Cells can exist in various forms which include
a. As a single cell (unicellular forms) e. g. Amoeba, Chlamydomonas, Chlorella,
Euglena
i. Chlamydomonas(Chlamydomonas rivalries)
Chlamydomonas is a unicellular plant like protist, motile using its flagellum and has a
cup shaped chloroplast. It is sensitive to light using its eye spot. In the presence of light,
starch grains appear in the cytoplasm. These disappear in a dark environment.
Chlamydomonas cells through its flagella (whip like) respond to changes in the
surrounding such as moving from a dark region to a region of light. This organism
disposes off its excess water using its contractile vacuoles. It reproduces asexually and
sexually when it reaches its maximum size.
ii. Amoeba (Amoeba proteus)
Amoeba is a unicellular animal like protest and the simplest organism with
heterotrophic mode of feeding. It is shapeless. It digests its complex food with its food
vacuole. The undigested food materials are got rid of with excess water through its
contractile vacuole. Amoeba moves about and captures its food with the aid of its
pseudopodia (‘’false feet’’). At maximum growth, amoeba reproduces asexually by
dividing into two daughter cells (binary fission)
iii. Paramecium
Paramecium is a more complex unicellular organism compared to Amoeba. It is slipper-
shaped and moves with the aid of its cilia, which also directs food into its gullet. The
undigested food material is removed through the anal pore. Excess water is got rid of
through the anterior and posterior contractile vacuoles. Two types of nucleus are visible
in this organism, the micronucleus and mega nucleus
iv. Euglena (Euglena viridis)
Euglenaviridis is a protist that has both plant and animal features.
As a plant, it has chloroplasts (star shaped) for photosynthesis, pyrenoid for starch
storage and paramylum granules (form in which starch is stored).
As an animal, it has no cellulose cell wall, but a plasma membrane called pellicle, a
gullet, eye spot, contractile vacuole and flagellum for movement.
b. In colonial forms e. g. Volvox, Sponges, Pandorina
Volvox
Volvox is made up of several chlamydomonas- like cells which are arranged in angular
layer to form a hollow ball-like structure. The cells are connected by cytoplasm strands.
The cell of Volvox moves about through the beating of the flagella. Most cells of Volvox
lose their ability to reproduce. Only a few of them can reproduce to form two daughter
cells
c. In filamentous forms e. g. Spirogyra, Oscillateria, Oedogonium
Spirogyra
Spirogyra is a filament of identical cells which are joined end to end without branching.
Each cell of spirogyra carries out its function independent of another cell. Spirogyra has
spirally arranged chloroplast for photosynthesis.
The filament grows indefinitely. The break-off cells from the filament have the ability to
reproduce asexually to form a new filament. Spirogyra also has ability to reproduce
sexually.
d. As a part of multicellular organisms
A multicellular organism is made up of interdependent cells carrying out several special
functions. The cells of the multicellular organisms are arranged to perform similar
functions and then form tissues. A group of specialized tissues performing similar
function forms an organ. Organs are further organized to carry out special functions in
form of system or organ system. Ultimately, the interdependent biological system
results in the complex multicellular organisms.
EVALUATION
1. What is a cell, list four forms of cellular existence with examples?
2. Discuss feeding, movement and reproduction in a named unicellular organism
CELL STRUCTURES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
The study of a cell is called cytology. A cell consists of a living material called
protoplasm, which is surrounded by a membrane called plasma membrane. In plants, a
cell wall (non-living part) is also present surrounding the plasma membrane. The
protoplasm is made up of two major parts: a. cytoplasm b. Nucleus
The cytoplasm contains cell organelles or inclusions, which are cellular structures with
specific functions. The cells which contain a nucleus and organelles are called
eukaryotic cells. These show a high level of cellular organization. However, some cells
lack definite nucleus and organelles. In such cells (prokaryotic cells e.g. bacteria),
materials containing instructions for growth and development are found in a particular
part of the cell and so are not enclosed in any membrane.
Nucleus is the largest cellular organelle enclosed by a double-layered nuclear
membrane with many pores. It contains chromosomes and nucleolus which are rich in
proteins and nucleic acids.
The nucleus performs the following functions:
a. Exchange of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm through the
nuclear pores.
b. Storage of hereditary information by the chromosomes
c. Control centre of cellular activities
Structure of a typical animal cell
CELL COMPONENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
CELL FUNCTIONS
COMPONENT/ORGANELL
ES
i. Mitochondrion Site of cellular respiration for energy production. It
consists of enzymes and DNA. The enzymes convert ADP
to ATP.
ii. Vacuole Surrounded by a membrane called tonoplast. It contains
cell sap mineral salt and sugar. It act as an
osmoregulator (removing excess water).
iii. Endoplasmic reticulum Aids transport of materials within the cytoplasm. Rough
(ER) endoplasmic reticulum(RER) (having ribosome attached)
is for protein synthesis and transportation. Smooth
endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is for lipids and steroids
synthesis and transportion.
iv. Golgi bodies/apparatus For synthesis, packaging and distribution of materials.
v. Chloroplast Contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis in green plants
vi. Lysosomes Site for production of enzymes for respiration and
destruction of worn out cells.
vii. Ribosome For protein synthesis
viii. Centrioles Active in cell division by producing spindle fibres to
which chromosomes are attached. (present only in
animal cell).
ix. Cell plasma) membrane This is flexible and selectively permeable. It controls the
materials entering or leaving the cell
x. Cell wall It protects the cell, thus providing mechanical support in
plants.
Structure of a typical plant cell
EVALUATION
List five cell organelles and their functions
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
Both plant and animal cells have the following in common
(a)Nucleus (b) golgi bodies (c) mitochondria (d) cytoplasm (e) chromosomes (f)
endoplasmic reticulum (g) nucleolus (h) ribosomes (i) lysosomes (j) cell
membrane
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANT AND ANIMAL CELL
PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
1 Has chloroplast No chloroplast
2 Rectangular and definite in shape Usually spherical or shapeless
3 Has rigid cellulose cell wall No cell wall
4 Centrioles are absent Centrioles are present for cell division
5 Cytoplasm is less dense Cytoplasm is dense granular
6 Starch granules present Glycogen granules present
7 Presence of large central permanent Vacuoles are absent or small and
vacuole temporary when presnt
CELL THEORY
This is the summary of research efforts of many scientist like Robert Hooke, Matthias
Schleidein and Theodore Schwann in 1838 and 1839 likewise, Rudolf Virchow (1855)
etc.
The cell theory states that:
a. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
b. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms i.e. the basic
organizational unit of life.
c. All existing cells come from pre-existing ones.
d. A cell contains information for its structural and functional development in its
nucleic acids. This information is passed down from the parents to the off spring
EVALUATION
1. State three similarities and five differences between plants and animals cell
2. Write short note on the history of the cell
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Describe briefly the history of the cell
2. State the four forms of cell existence.
3. Discuss, with a diagram, a named plant- like unicellular protest.
4. Discuss, with a diagram, a named animal-like protist .
5. Draw the diagram of a named filamentous organism.
6. Differentiate between: (a) cells forming tissues and those forming colonies
(b) Colonial and filamentous organisms
READING ASSIGNMENT
College Biology, chapter 3, page 58 – 66
