The

Fundamental
Unit of Life
 Topics to be Covered
Introduction to Cell
Cell theory
Cell - different shape, size
and number
Cell
Structure
Cell Division
 Introduction to Cell
Cells are the structural, functional, and
biological units of all living beings.

The entire functioning of living organsims

begins from basic unit called cell, that’s why
it’s called fundamental unit of life.

A cell can replicate itself independently.

Hence, they are known as the building blocks
of life.
ORGAN
CELL TISSUE ORGANS ORGANIS
SYSTE
S S M
M
 Discoveries related to
Cell
The cell was first discovered and named
Robert
Hooke
by ROBERT HOOKE in 1665.

Anton Van Discovered protozoa

Leuwenhoek and
(1674) bacteria, living cell

Robert Brown (1831) Discovered cell nucleus

Schleiden and
Schwann (1838, 1839) Proposed cell

Purkinje (1839) theory Protoplasm

 Cell Theory

All the living organisms

are composed of cells

The living organisms could

be made up of one or more
cells

The new cells arise from pre-

existing cells through the
process of cell division
Siz Numbe Shap
e r e
 Cell - different cell
number
If an organism is made up of a single cell, it is called a unicellular
organism
(uni: one; cellular: cell). e.g. bacteria, protozoa, etc.
The organisms which are made up of more than one cell are called
multicellular organisms (multi: many; cellular: cell). e.g. humans, animals,
etc.

Unicellular Multicellular

Bacteri Parameciu Huma Animal

a m n
 Cell - different shape

SPINDLE

BRANCHED
&
ELONGATED

SPHERICAL
 Cell - different size

Smallest cell- Mycoplasma (Bacteria) Largest cell- Ostrich

egg

PPLD (Pleuro- Pneumonia like Organisms)

 CELL
(Basic structural and functional unit of living
organisms)
Component
s

Plasma Cell Wall Nucleus Cytoplasm Cell

Membrane/ cell Organelle
Membrane s
Rigid outer Has double Fluid content
These are
Outermost covering of covering lying layered nuclear inside the
specialised
cell outside the membrane plasma
membrane-
Permits the entry and plasma having nuclear membrane
bound parts
exit of some materials membrane pores for and outside
of cell present
(selectively permeable) Present in transfer of the nucleus
in cytoplasm
plants only. material and
chromosomes.
Cell Structure
Plasma Membrane or Cell
Membrane
Outermost covering of the cell and
it separates cell contents from
external environment.
Selectively permeable membrane:
- Allows entry and exit of some
materials.
- Prevents movement of some materials.
Allows diffusion of substances like
carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Regulates movement of substances in and
out of the cell.
It is made up of lipids and proteins.
 Osmosis
Osmosis is the passage of water molecules across a semi-
permeable membrane from a solution with a high concentration to
a solution with a lower concentration

Types of Osmosis:
Endosmosis : The process in which the
water molecules / solvent enter into
the cell. (Cell Swell)
Exosmosis : The process in which the
water molecules / solvent move out
of the cell. (Cell Shrink)
 Diffusion
The process of movement of a substance (solid, liquid, or gas) from
the region of higher concentration to the region of lower
concentration so as to spread uniformly.
In the process of diffusion the molecules of the one substance mix
with the molecule of the other substance.
 DIFFUSION OSMOSIS

It is the phenomenon of moving solvent particles across a

It is the phenomenon of moving particles from a region of
semipermeable from a region of low solute concentration to
higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
more solute concentration.

It occurs in liquids and gases. It occurs in liquids only.

No membrane separation is required here. It requires a semi-permeable membrane.

Water is not necessary for movement. Water is the main solvent that moves from one region to another.

The flow of constituents is in all directions. The flow of constituents occurs in one direction only.

The process can be stopped or we can reverse it by applying

Diffusion is a natural phenomenon that can not be stopped.
an external force.

All the types of substances present in the solution can move There is a movement of only water or any other substance
from the region of its high concentration to the region of low from a region of higher concentration of solvent to the region
concentration. of low concentration.

Example – Addition of ink in water leads to the colouring of

Example – Red blood cells swell up when exposed to water.
the water.
Types of
Solutions

swell
 Endocytosis & Exocytosis

Endocytosis Exocytosis
 Cell Wall
Non-living, rigid outer covering of plant cells composed mainly of
cellulose.
Provides structural strength, lies outside the plasma membrane.

Plasmolysis:
Occurs in living plant cells when they lose water through
osmosis. Results in shrinkage of cell contents away from the
cell wall.
 Nucleus
The nuclear membrane is double-layered and contains pores for material
exchange between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
Nucleus contains chromosomes (DNA and Protein) , visible during cell
division, which carry genetic information in the form of DNA molecules.
DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) molecules contain the information essential for
constructing & organizing cells. These molecules consist of genes, which regulate
cell functions and inheritance, and are visible as chromatin material in non-
dividing cells.
Cell - origin and cellular
structure

ribosomes
flagella
 Eukaryote
s
ANIMAL PLANT
CELL CELL

Cytoplasm- the fluid content enclosed by the cell membrane, contains

specialized organelles. Organelles perform specific functions and are enclosed
by membranes.

Cell Organelles- Eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles

that carry out various functions in the cell, e.g. Nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum,
Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes, etc.
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a network
of membrane-bound tubes and sheets within the
cell.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Appears rough due to ribosomes; sites of Smooth appearance; facilitates lipid, enzyme,
protein synthesis. and hormone production.

Ribosomes synthesize proteins. No protein synthesis; functions in lipid

Not involved in lipid production. Facilitates lipid synthesis.

production. Functions in enzyme and hormone production.

No role in enzyme or hormone Crucial in detoxification, especially in liver

synthesis. No detoxification capability. cells.

 Golgi Apparatus
Named after its discoverer, Camillo Golgi.

Comprises a system of membrane-bound

vesicles arranged roughly parallel to each other
in stacks known as cisterns.

Facilitates the packaging and transportation

of proteins across the cytoplasm.

Performs functions such as storage,

modification, and packaging of products in
vesicles.
Traffic police' of the cell
Plays a role in the formation of lysosomes.
 Lysosomes
Lysosomes, filled with digestive enzymes from the RER,
act as the cell's waste disposal system.

They digest foreign material and worn-out organelles

to maintain cell cleanliness.

Lysosomes break down complex substances into

simpler ones using powerful enzymes.

Termed "suicide bags" as they may burst during

cellular disturbance, leading to self-digestion.

Involved in breaking down all organic material,

‘Suicide bags' of the cell
including
bacteria and old organelles.
 Mitochondria
Mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses, have Crista
two membranes: porous outer and folded e
inner.
Inner folds increase surface area for ATP
generation, the cell's energy currency.

Mitochondria produce ATP, used for

cellular activities and mechanical work.

They possess their own DNA and ‘Powerhouse' of the

ribosomes, enabling protein synthesis. cell
 Plastids
Plastids, exclusive to plant cells, exist in two varieties: chromoplasts
and leucoplasts.
Chromoplasts are colored plastids (flowers).
Chloroplasts, are chromoplasts, containing chlorophyll,
enabling photosynthesis, which regulates atmospheric oxygen
levels.
Leucoplasts lack coloration and primarily function as storage sites
for starch, oils, and protein granules.
.
 Ribosomes

Membrane less cell

organelle.

Involved in synthesis
of protein

Present in both
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
cell.
 Vacuoles
Tonoplast

Vacuoles: Storage sacs in cells, small in

animals, large in plants.
Plant Central Vacuole: Occupies 50-90% of
cell volume, filled with cell sap.
Functions: Provide turgidity and rigidity

e
to plant cells, store essential substances.

ol
Contents: Amino acids, sugars, proteins, and

cu
in single-celled organisms, consumed food

Va
items. Specialized Roles: Expelling excess
water and wastes from unicellular organisms.

Storage Sacs
 Feature Plant Cell Animal Cell
Cell Shape Square or rectangular in shape Irregular or round in shape
Cell Wall Present Absent
Plasma/Cell Membrane Present Present
Endoplasmic Reticulum Present Present
Nucleus Present and lies on one side of the cell Present and lies in the center of the cell
Lysosomes Present but are very rare Present
Golgi Apparatus Present Present
Cytoplasm Present Present
Ribosomes Present Present
Plastids Present Absent
Vacuoles Few large or a single, centrally Usually small and numerous
positioned
Cilia Absent Present in most of the animal cells
Mitochondria Present but fewer in number Present and are numerous
Mode of Nutrition Primarily autotrophic Heterotrophic
 Cell Division
Cell division is the process through which new cells are formed
in organisms.
New cells formed for growth, cell replacement, and
reproduction. Two main types: mitosis and meiosis.
“ be powerhouse of your
life”