Biology Cell

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Indian Polity & Governance

Chapter: Cell
What is Cell?
All living organisms on earth are divided in pieces called cells. Cells are small compartments that
hold all of the biolo-gical equipments necessary to keep organisms. Cells carry out all the basic
functions of life: growth, metabolism and reproduction.
There are some organisms like amoeba consists of a single cell. This single cell increase in size
and when it attains a certain size, it divides into two separates individuals. In case of multi cellular
organisms, the cell also divides into two parts, but the two parts remaining joined this process is
repeated crore of times so that body mass is built up. In this process some cells become
specialized to perform specific functions but other retains their capacity for cell division throughout
life.
Who Gave the Cell Theory?
The term cell was coined by Robert Hooke in 1665. In 1838 Matthias Schleiden, German
botanist proposed the idea that all plants consists of cells. In 1839, The Eodor Schwann a German
zoologist asserted that all plant and animals are made up of cells. This finding forms the basis of
cell theory.
Components of Cell?
In the living organisms there are two types of cellular organizations. If we look at very simple
organisms like bacteria and blue-green algae, We will discover cells that have no defined nucleus,
these are prokaryotes cells. The cells which have definite nucleus are known as eukaryote. But
the things which both have in common is that there are compartments surrounded by some type of
membranes. These are called cell membranes.
Cell membranes : It is like a plastic bag with some tiny holes that bag holds all of the cell pieces
and fluids inside the cell and keeps foreign particles outside the cell. The holes are there to let
some things move in and out of the cell. Compounds called proteins and phospholipids make up
most of the cell membranes. the phospholipids make the basic bag. The proteins are found around
the holes and help move molecules in and out of the cell. Substances like Co2 and O2 can move
across the cell membranes by a process called diffusion. Diffusion is a process of movements of
substance from a region of high concentration to a region where its concentration is low. Water
also obeys the law of diffusion. The movement of water molecules is called osmosis.
Cytoplasm : It is the fluid that fills a cell. Scientists used to call the fluid proto plasm.cytoplasm
contain many specialized cell called organ cells. Each of these organ cells performs a specific
function for the cell.
Cell organells
Organells are living part of the cell have definite shape, structure and functions. To keep their
function different from each other these organelles use membranes bound little structure with in
them selves.
Some of the important organells are :
(a) Endoplasmic reticulum : It is a network of tulsular membranes connected at one end to the
nucleus and on the other to the plasma membranes. Endoplasmic reticular (ER) are two types:-
rough endoplasmic reticular (RER) and Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).
Functions of ER:
• It forms the supporting skeleton frame work of the cell.

• It provides a pathway for distribution of nuclear material.
• It provides surface for various enzymatic reactions.
(b) Ribosomes : it synthesis protein, and ER sent these protein in various part of the cell. Where
as SER helps in the manufacture of fats.
Functions of these proteins and fats :
• Protein and fat (lipid) help in building the cell membranes. This process is known as
membranes biogenesis.
• Some other protein and fat functions as enzymes and hormones.
• SER plays a crucial role in detoxifying many poisons and drugs.
(c) Golgi apparatus : it is found in most cell. It is another packaging organelle like the
endoplasmic reticulum. It gathers simple molecules and combines them to make molecules that
are more complex. It then takes those big molecules, packages them in vesicles and either stores
them for faster use or sends them out of the cell.
Other functions:
• Its functions include the storage modifications and packaging of products in vesicles.
• It is also the organ Elle that builds lysosomes (cells digestion machines).
(d) Lysosomes: It is a kind of waste disposal system of the cell.
It helps to keep the cell clean by digesting any foreign material.
Old organs cell end up in the lysosomes.
When the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own cell.
Therefore lysosomes are also known as the “suicide ways” of the cell.
(e) Mitochondria: It is known as the power house of the cell. The energy required for various
chemical activities headed for life is released by mitochondria in the form of ATP (adenosine-tri-
phosphate) molecules.
• ATP is known as the energy currency of the cell. The body uses energy are stored in
ATP for making new chemical compounds and for mechanical work.
• Mitochondria are strange organells in the sense that they have their own DNA and
ribosomes, there fore mitochondria are able to make their own protein.
• Mitochondria is absent in bacteria and the red blood cells of mammals and higher animals.
(f) Centrioles: It is a micro-tubular structure; centrioles are concerned with cell division. It initiates
cell division.
(g) Plastids: These are present only in plant cells. There are two types of plastids:-chromoplastes
(colour plastides) and leucoplast (white or colourless plastids).
• Chromoplast impart colour to flowers and fruits.

• Leucoplasts are in which starch, oils and protein are stored.
• Plastids are self replicating. i.e. they have the power to divide, as they contain DNA, RNA
and ribosomes.
• Plastides contains the pigment chlorophyll that is known as chloroplast. It is the site for
photo synthesis.
The above mentioned cell organalls are the living part of the cell but there are some non – living
parts with in the cell like vacuoles and granules.
Vacuoles: it is a fluid filled spaces enclosed by membranes. It is a storage sacs for solid or liquid
contents. It stores excess water, minerals, food substance, pigments and waste products. Its size
in animal is small and in plant it is big. Many substances of importance in the life of the plant cell
are stored in vacuoles. These are amino acids sugars. It also Contain Various organic acid and
some proteins.
Granules
It is not bounded by any mem-branes. It store fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Cell nucleus
The cell nucleus acts like the brain of the cell. It helps control eating, movement and reproduction.
Not all cells have a nucleus. The nucleus contain, the following components :
(a) Nuclear envelope: It surrounds the nucleus and all of its contents nuclear envelope is a
membrane similar to the cell membranes around the whole cell.
(b) Chromatin : When the cell is in resting state there is something called chromatin in the
nucleus. Chromatin is made up of DNA, RNA and nucleus protein. DNA and RNA are the nucleus
acids inside the cell. When the cell is going to divide, the chromatin become very compact. It
condenses when the chromatin comes together we can see the chromosomes.
(c) Chromosomes: Chromosomes make organisms what they are. They carry all the information
used to help a cell grow, thrive and reproduce.
• Chromosomes are made up of DNA.

• Segments of DNA in specific patterns are called genes.
• In prolaryotes, DNA floats in the cytoplasm in an area called the nucleoid.
• Chromosomes are not always visible. They usually sit around uncoiled and as loose shards
called chromation.
• When it is time for all cells to reproduce, they condense and wrap up very tightly. The tightly
round DNA in the chromosome.
• Chromosomes are usually found in pairs.
• Human Beings probably have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
• Peas only have 12, a dog has 78 chromosomes.
• The number of chromosomes is not related to the intelligence or complexity of the creature.
(d) Nucleolus: It is a dense spherical granule contained within the nucleus, its size is related to
the synthetic activity of the cell. Neurons cell have a comparatively larger nucleate than those cell
have no synthetic activity. The nucleolus stores proteins.
Cell Division
Organisms grow and reduce through cell division. Plants continue to grow by cell division all their
lives. But in most animals cells divide more slowly once the body taken shape. There are two
methods of replication mitosis and meiosis.
(a) Mitosis: The main theme of this replication is that mitosis is the simple duplication of a cell and
all of its parts. It duplicates its DNA and the two new cells (daughter cells) have the same pieces
and generic code. Beyond the idea that two identical cells are created, there are five steps in this
process. You should remember the term PMATI. It breaks down to :
1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase
5. Interphase.
The phases:
(i) Prophase: a cell gets the idea that it is time to divide. First it has to get everything ready.
Cell need -to duplicate DNA, get certain pieces in the right position (centrioles) and generally
prepare the cell for the process of mitotic division.
(ii) Metaphase: The DNA lines up along a central axis and then DNA condensed into
chromosomes.
(iii) Anaphase: Here the separation begins. Half of the chromosomes are pulled to one side of the
cell half to go the other way.
(iv) Telophase: Now the division is finishing up. We have now two separate cells each with half of
the original DNA.
(v) Interphase: This is the normal state of the cell.
(b) Meiosis: It’s for sexual reproduction. The main theme of meiosis is that there are two cell
division. Mitosis has one division and meiosis has two divisions in this process four cells are
created where there was originally one.
Meiosis happens when its time to reproduce an organisms. The steps of meiosis are very simple.
When we break it down its just two PMATI’s in a row. The interphase that happens between the
two proce-sses is very short and the DNA is not duplicated. Meiosis is the great process that
shuffles the cell’s gene-sis around. Instead of creating two new cells with equal number of
chromosomes (like mitosis). The cell does a second divi-sion soon after the first. This second divi-
sion divides the number of chromo-somes in half. Scien-tists call, this process as meiosis I and II,
but its just two PMATI’s.
• Meiosis I: This is basically live PMATI of a regular mitosis. Pairs of chromosomes are lined
up at the centre of the cell and then pulled to each side. Meiosis is a bit different because
there are some thing called crossing-over happens with the DNA. This crossing over is an
exchange of genes. The genes are mixed up not resulting in a perfect duplicate like mitosis.
The cell divides, having two new cells with a pair of chromosomes each. Since this is
meiosis. There is a very short interphase and division begins again.
• Meiosis II : In this division the DNA that remains in the cell begins to condense and form
short chromosomes and the centre of the cell and the centrioles are in position for the
duplication. Each one splits into two pieces. They don’t divide up the DNA between the
cells. They split the DNA that exits. Each daughter cell will get one half of the DNA needed
to make a functioning cell. When it’s all over we left with four haploid cells (means half the
regular number) that are called gametes. The eventual purpose of the gametes will be to
find other gametes with which they can combine. When they do, they will form a new
organism.
Some important facts regarding cells:

• Nerve cells in animals are the longest cells.

• Smallest human cell is red blood cell.
• Largest human cell is female ovum.
• The single largest cell in the world is of an ostrich.
• The smallest cells are those of the mycoplasma.
• Every minute about 3 millions cells in our body die.
• Sieve tube in plants and the mature mammalian red blood cells do not have a nucleus.
• The red blood cell carries respiratory gases.
• Sieve cells in plants transport nutrients in plants.
• The lysosomal enzymes of the sperm cells digest the limiting membranes of the ovum
(egg). Thus the sperm is able to enter the ovum.
During the transformation of tadpole into frog. The embryonic tissues like gills and tail are
digested by the lysosome.
• Mitochondria contain DNA, hence capable of replication.

• Matrix is a transparent, homogenous semi-fluid substance. In its active state. It remains
saturated with water.
Comparisons between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Fig. Plant cell structure: A three-dimensional view of a section passing the nucleus and the large
central vacuole. The persence of a cell wall and plastids (chloroplasts in this picture)
distinguishes it from an animal cell.
Similarities :
Part of cell Plant Animal
Cell membranes Present Present
Endoplasmic reticulum Present Present but absent in RBC and embryonic cell.
Ribosome Present Present
Mitochondria Present Present but absent in RBC and bacteria
Golgi complex Present Present but absent in mature RBC
Nucleus Present Present
Granules. Present Present
• Nucleus is absent in mature mammalian red blood cells and sieve tubes in the phloem
tissue of vascular tube.
Plant Cell Animal Cell

1. Nucleus elliptical in shape. 1. Nucleus rounded in shape
2. Mitochondria fewer. 2. Mitochondria numereous.
3. Plant cells do not burst if placed in hypotonic 3. Animal cells usually burst if placed in
solution. hopotonic solution.
4. Centrioles absent except in lower plants. 4. Centrioles present.
5. Spindle formed during cell division is of
5. Spindle formed during cell division is anastral type.
amphiastral type.
6. Golgi apparatus consists of a single
6. Golgi body has distyosomes.
complex.
7. Lysosomes rare. 7. Lysosomes present in animal cells.
8. Glyoxysomes present. 8. Glyxosomes absent.
9. Crystals of inorganic substances occur inside. 9. Crystals do not occur.
10. Adjacent cells connected through plasmodemata 10. Adjacent cells connected by a number of
by middle lamella. junctions.
11. Cytokinesis by cell plate. 11. Cytokinesis by cleavage.
Dissimilarities:
Cell part Plant Animals
Cell wall present absent
Lysosomes absent present
Centrioles absent present
Plastids present absent
vacuoles present absent

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Printed Study Material for IAS, CSAT Civil Services Exams

Indian Polity & Governance

Who Gave the Cell Theory?

Some of the important organells are :

• It forms the supporting skeleton frame work of the cell.

Functions of these proteins and fats :

(d) Lysosomes: It is a kind of waste disposal system of the cell.

It helps to keep the cell clean by digesting any foreign material.

Old organs cell end up in the lysosomes.

• Chromoplast impart colour to flowers and fruits.

• Chromosomes are made up of DNA.

(v) Interphase: This is the normal state of the cell.

Some important facts regarding cells:

• Nerve cells in animals are the longest cells.

• Mitochondria contain DNA, hence capable of replication.

Comparisons between Plant Cell and Animal Cell

Plant Cell Animal Cell

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