Class: 8

SCIENCE
Chapter –8
Cell - Structure and Functions

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read the text thoroughly.
2. You tube links for the explanation of the chapter are as follows:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGW4dVebsqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRZFzInlVE

INTRODUCTION:
 All organisms are made up of smaller parts called organs.
 Organs are made up of still smaller parts. The smallest living part of an organism is a
‘cell’.
 Cells were first observed in cork by Robert Hooke in 1665.
 Cells exhibit a variety of shapes and sizes.
 Number of cells also varies from organism to organism.
 The cell has three main parts: (i) the cell membrane, (ii) cytoplasm which contains
smaller components called organelles, and (iii) the nucleus.
 Plant cells differ from animal cells in having an additional layer around the cell
membrane termed as cell wall.
MIND MAP
EXPLANATION

The Cell:
 All living organisms are made up of cells.
 New cells arise from pre-existing cells.
 The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are
made up of cells. Cells make tissues, tissues make organs, organs make organ systems
and organ systems make a living organism. Thus, the cell is the building block, or the
structural unit of the living body.

Discovery of the Cell:

 In 1665, the English scientist Robert Hooke observed slices of cork which is part of
bark of the trees, under a simple magnifying device. He noticed partitioned boxes or
compartments in the cork slice.

 These boxes looked like a honeycomb. He also noticed that these boxes were
separated from the other by a wall or partition. Hooke named them ‘cell’ for each box.
 Hooke observed as boxes or cells in the cork were actually dead cells. These boxes
appeared like a honeycomb.

Organisms Show Variety in Cell Number, Shape and Size:

 Scientists use microscopes which magnify objects. Stains (dyes) are used to colour
parts of the cell to study the detailed structure.
 Millions of living organisms have cells with different shapes and sizes. Their organs
also vary in shape, size and number of cells.
 Human body has trillions of cells which vary in different size and shapes. Different
groups of cells perform a variety of functions.
Number of cells:
 According to the number of cells, organisms are broadly classified into two groups-
unicellular and multicellular.
 Unicellular: Organisms made up of a single cell are called unicellular organisms. The
single celled organism performs all the necessary functions that multicellular
organism perform. Amoeba and Paramecium are examples of unicellular organisms.
A single-celled organism, like amoeba, captures and digests food, respires, excretes,
grows and reproduces.
 Multicellular: Organisms made up of more than one cell are called multicellular
organisms. The cells of such organisms usually perform specialized functions. Most
plants and animals are examples of multicellular organisms.

Types of cell:
 Prokaryotic Cells:
The cells having nuclear material without nuclear membrane are termed prokaryotic
cells. The organisms with these kinds of cells are called prokaryotes (pro: primitive;
karyon: nucleus). Examples: bacteria and blue green algae.
 Eukaryotic cells:
The cells having well organised nucleus with a nuclear membrane are designated as
eukaryotic cells. All organisms other than bacteria and blue green algae are called
eukaryotes (Eu: true; karyon: nucleus).

Shape of Cells:
 Cells show wide variations in terms of shape. The different shapes are related to their
specific functions.
 A unicellular organism, amoeba is of irregular shape. The shape of amoeba keeps on
changing because of formation of projections of varying lengths protruding out of its
body. These are called pseudopodia which facilitates its movement and help in
capturing food.
 A white blood cell (WBC) in human body is another example of a single cell which
can change its shape. But, while WBC is a cell, amoeba is a full-fledged organism
capable of independent existence.
 Generally, shapes of cell are round, spherical or elongated. Some cells are long and
pointed at both ends. They exhibit a spindle shape. Cells are sometimes quite long.
Some cells are branched like the nerve cell or a neuron, which receives and transfers
messages, thereby helping to control and coordinate the working of different parts of
the body.
  Components of the cell are enclosed in a membrane. This membrane provides shape
to the cells of plants and animals. Cell wall is an additional covering over the cell
membrane in plant cells. It gives shape and rigidity to these cells. Bacterial cell also
has a cell wall.

Size of Cells:
 The cell’s size in living organisms may be as small as a millionth of a metre
(micrometre or micron) or may be as large as a few centimetres.
 Most of the cells are microscopic in size and are not visible to the naked eye. They
need to be enlarged or magnified by a microscope for seeing.
 The smallest cell is 0.1 to 0.5 micrometre in bacteria. The largest cell measuring 170
mm ×130 mm, which is the egg of an ostrich.
 The size of the cells has no relation with the size of the body of the animal or plant.
 The longest cell in our body is the nerve cell.

Cell Structure and Function:

 Each organ in the living organism performs different functions such as digestion,
assimilation and absorption. Similarly, different organs of a plant perform particular/
specialized functions. Example: roots help in the absorption of water and minerals.
 Each organ is further made up of smaller parts called tissues. A tissue is a group of
similar type cells performing a specific function.

Parts of the Cell:

The basic components of a cell are cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.
Cell Membrane:
 The cytoplasm and nucleus are enclosed within the cell membrane, also called the
plasma membrane.
 It is the living part of the cell, thin, delicate and elastic.
 This membrane separates cells from one another and also the cell from the
surrounding medium.
 It is selectively permeable. It allows the flow of limited substances in and out of the
cell.
 This gives shape to the cell.
 In addition to the cell membrane, there is an outer thick layer in cells of plants, called
cell wall.
 This additional layer surrounding the cell membrane is required by the plants for
protection against variations in temperature, high wind speed, atmospheric moisture
etc. They are exposed to these variations because they cannot move.
 Cells can be observed in the leaf peel of Tradescantia, Elodea or Rhoeo.

Cytoplasm:
 It is the jelly-like substance present between the cell membrane and the nucleus.
 Various other components or organelles of cells are present in the cytoplasm, like
mitochondria, golgi bodies, ribosomes, etc.
Nucleus:
 It is an important component of the living cell.
 It is generally spherical and located in the centre of the cell. It can be stained and seen
easily with the help of a microscope.
 It is separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane called the nuclear membrane. This
membrane is also porous and allows the movement of materials between the
cytoplasm and the inside of the nucleus.
 Nucleus consists of smaller spherical bodies called nucleolus.
 Nucleus also contains thread-like structures called chromosomes. These carry genes
and help in inheritance or transfer of characters from the parents to the offspring. The
chromosomes can be seen only when the cell divides.
 Nucleus acts as control centre of the activities of the cell. The entire content of a
living cell is known as protoplasm. It includes the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Protoplasm is called the living substance of the cell.

CELL ORGANELLES:
Organelles are small structures scattered in the cytoplasm that work together to carry
out life processes. There are various types of cell organelles that perform different
functions. Some of these are as follows:

MITOCHONDRIA:
Mitochondria are small rod-like structures located in the cell's cytoplasm outside the
nucleus. Mitochondria are responsible for energy production. Therefore, they are
known as ‘Powerhouse of the cell’.

PLASTIDS:
Plastids are disc-shaped structures present only in plant cells. They are scattered in the
cytoplasm of the leaf cells. They are of different colours. Some of them contain green
pigment called chlorophyll. Green coloured plastids are called chloroplasts. They
provide green colour to the leaves.

VACUOLES:
Vacuoles are blank looking structures in the cytoplasm of the cell. In plant cells, they
occupy most of the space within the cell and help to store food, water and waste. In
animal cells, vacuoles are smaller. They help in waste removal and digestion.
Comparison of Plant and Animal Cell:

Plant Cell Animal Cell

S.NO. Part Plant Cell Animal Cell

1. Cell membrane Present Present
2. Cell Wall Present Absent
3. Nucleus Present Present
4. Nuclear membrane Present Present
5. Cytoplasm Present Present
6. Plastids Present Absent
7. Vacuole Present Present
Note: Do the following work in Science Notebook

QUESTION-ANSWERS:
Q1. Make a sketch of the human nerve cell. What function do nerve cells perform?
A1. The function of nerve cell is to receive and transfer messages, thereby helping to control
and coordinate the working of different parts of the body.

Q2.Write short notes on the following:

(a)Cytoplasm
(b)Nucleus of a cell
A2. (a)Cytoplasm:
It is the jelly-like substance present between the cell membrane and the
nucleus. Various other components or organelles of cells are present in the cytoplasm,
like mitochondria, golgi bodies, ribosomes, etc. Cytoplasm helps in exchange and
storage of substances among cell organelles.

(b)Nucleus of a cell:
Nucleus is an important component of the living cell. It is mostly spherical and located
in the centre of the cell. It is separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane called the
nuclear membrane. In addition, nucleus contains thread-like structures called
chromosomes. These carry genes and help in inheritance or transfer of characters from
the parents to the offspring. Nucleus, in addition to its role in inheritance, acts as
control centre of the activities of the cell. The entire content of a living cell is known
as protoplasm. It includes the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Protoplasm is called the
living substance of the cell.
Q3. Which part of the cell contains organelles?
A3.Cytoplasm is the part of cell which contains organelles such as mitochondria, ribosomes,
golgi bodies, etc.

Q4.Make sketches of animal and plant cells. State three differences between them.
A4.The differences between plant cell and animal cell are:

Plant Cell Animal Cell

S.NO. Plant Cell Animal cell

1. They are usually larger in size They are generally small in size.
than animal cells.

2. Cell wall is present. Cell wall is absent.

3. Vacuoles are larger in size. Vacuoles are smaller in size.

4. Plastids are present. Plastids are absent.

Q5.Where are chromosomes found in a cell? State their function.

A5.Chromosomes are thread-like structures and are found in the nucleus of the cell. They
carry genes that help in inheritance or transfer of characters from the parents to the
offspring.
Q6.State the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
A6.The differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes are:

S.NO. Eukaryotes Prokaryotes

1. The organisms whose cells have a The organisms whose cells have nuclear
well-organized nucleus with a nuclear material without nuclear membrane are
membrane are termed as eukaryotes. termed as prokaryotes.

2. Most eukaryotes are multi-cellular. Most prokaryotes are unicellular.

3. Example: Fungi, onion cells, etc. Example: Bacteria and blue green algae

Q7.‘Cells are the basic structural units of living organisms’. Explain.

A7. Cells constitute various components of plants and animals. A cell is the smallest unit of
life and is capable of all living functions. Cells are the building blocks of life. This is the
reason why cells are referred to as ‘the basic structural and functional units of life’. All
cells vary in their shapes, sizes, and activities they perform. In fact, the shape and size of
the cell is related to the specific function it performs.

Q8. Explain why chloroplasts are found only in plant cells?

A8. Chloroplasts are found in plant cells only because chloroplasts contain a green pigment
called chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll traps solar energy
and utilize it to manufacture food for plants.