CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

CELL THE UNIT OF LIFE

1. INTRODUCTION
The presence of basic unit of life i.e. cell makes a living organism different from non-living
organisms.
Tne organisms, which are composed of a single cell, are called as unicellular organisms while the
organisms, which are made up of multiple cells, are called as multicellular organisms.
Unicellular organisms are capable of
(a) Independent existance
(b) Perfoming the essential functions of life.
The structure, which is less than acell, does not ensure independent existance.
Cell is abasic unit of life and it is considered as structural and functional unit of an organism.
Robert Hooke (1665) discovered cell. He first observed the cell in a piece of dead cork cells. He
described cell in his book "Micrographia".
Leeuwenhoek (1674) first observed animal (living) celland used the term "Animalcule" for it.
The study of cell structure is called cytology. The study of cell structure, function and reproduction
is called Cell biology.
Robert Hooke is known as Father of cytology'.
Knoll and Ruska invented electron microscope and by this invention all structural details of
this cel could be revealed.

2. CELL THEORY
In 1838, Matthias Schleiden, a German botanist, examined a large number of plants. He
concluded that all plants are made up of different cells which make tissue.
Theodore Schwann (1839), a British Zoologist, studied different types of animal cells and
plant tissue. He conciuded that animal cells have thin outer layer, which is today known as
plasma membrane.Based on his studies of plants, he concluded that presence of cell wall is
aunique character of plant cell. Schwann proposed the hypothesis that the bodies of
animals and plants are composed of cells and products of cells.

Matthias Schleiden and Theodore Schwann jointly proposed cell theory in 1839. Its main features
are as follows
(i) All living organisms consist of cells and their products.
(ii) All cells are structurally andmetabolically similar.
(ii) Cells perform vital activities of an organism.
(iv) Each cell is unit of heredity.

Objections
(1) Bacteria and cyanobacteria do not bear nucleus and membrane bound cell organelles.
(2) Viruses are acellular and do not contain cellular machinery.
(3) RBCs and sieve tube cells live without nucleus.
(4) Protozoans and many thallophytes have a uninucleate differentiated body that cannot be divided
into cells. They are acellular.
(5) This theory did not explain as to how new cells were formed.
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CELL:THE UNIT OF LIFE
Modern cell theory
It is also known as cell doctrine or cell principle.
(1) All living organisms are made up of cells having cytosol, nucleus, organelles and a
membranes. covering
(4) Functions of living organisms are the sum total of the activities of their cells.
(3) Cell can survive independantly but organelles cannot do so.
(4) It is unit of structure, function and heredity.
(5) Life exist in cells.
(6) Growth of an organism is due to increase in size and number of cells.
(7) New cell arises from pre existing cells "Omnis cellula-e cellula". It is called cell lineage
theory.This concept was given by Rudolf Virchow (1855). The final shape to cell theory was
given by Rudolf Virchow.

Resonate the concept

This physico-chemical approach to study and understand living organisms is called
Reductionist Biology'.
Cell - An open system:
An open system is one which is separated from its surroundings by a boundary that allows
transfer of material in and out of the cells.
Cell is an open system because it receives a number of materials and energy from outside and
liberates energy as heat.
Cells vary greatly in their shape. They may be disc-like, polygonal, colum nar, cuboid, thread like,
or even irregular. The shape of the cellmay vary with the function they perform.
Cells differ greatly in size,and activities. For example
(a) The smallest cell - Mycoplasma 0.3 um.
(b) Bacteria - (3 - 5) um.
(c) Largest isolated single cell - egg of an Ostrich.
(d) Human RBCs -7.0 um in diameter.
(e) Nerve cells are some of the largest cells.

White blood cells Columnar epithelial cells

Red blood cells (amoebold) (long andnavow)
(round and biconcave)

Nerve cell
Bmnched and long)

Mesophyll cella
(uDnd and oval)
A tnachesd
(ohongated)

Figure: Diagram showingdifferent shapes of the cells

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

3. CELL ORGANISATION:
On the basis of nucleus, two types of cells are present -

Differences between Prokaryotie and Eakaryotic Cel

S.No Prokaryotic Cell S.No Eukaryotic Cell
1 The Cel size is small (0.1-5.0um.) They 1 The cell size is comparatively larger
multiply rapidly. (5-100 um). They multiply slowely than
Prokaryoticcell.
2 A prokaryotic cell has one envelope 2 Aeukaryotic cell has two envelope
organisation. organisation.
3 An organized nucleus is absent. Instead a 3 Anorganized nucleus is found. It is
nucleoid is found. differentiated into nuclear envelope,
chromatin, one or more nucleoli and
nucleoplasm.
4 Cell wall, if present, contains muramic acid. 4 Cell wall, if present, muramic acid is
absent
5 DNA is naked, it means histones absent 5 DNAis found with histones.
6 DNA lies freely in the cytoplasm. 6 Most of the cell DNA is found in the
nucleus.
A
small quantity is also found in the
plastids and mitochondria.
7 DNA is circular or organised into a single 7 Nuclear DNA is linear whereas Extra
chromosome. nuclear DNA is circular. Genetic material is
organised into chromosomes.
Transcription and translation take place in 8 Transcription occurs in the nucleus while
the cytoplasm. tanslation takes place in the cytoplasm.
Cytoplasmdoes not showcyclosis. Cytoplasm usually shows cyclosis.
10. No extensive compartmentalisation of 10. Extensive compartmentalisation of
cytoplasm. cytoplasm through the presence of
membrane bound organelles.
10 Membrane bound organelles like Mitochondria, 10 Mitochondria, ER, Golgi apparatus and
Golgi apparatus, ER, lysosomes and other microbodies includinglysosomes present
microbodies are absent. in cell of organisms.
11 Microtubules and microfilaments are commonly 11 Mircrotubules and microfilaments present.
absent.
12 Gametes are not formed, since sexual 12 Gametes are formed either directly or
reproduction and meiosis are absent. through meiosis, as sexual reproduction is
found in the life cycle.
13 A spindle apparatus is not formed during 13 A
spindle apparatus is produced during
division. nuclear division.

14 70S types of Ribosomes are found. 14 Ribosomes are of 80S types. 70S
ribosomes are found in mitochondria and
plastids.
15 Centriole is also absent 15 Centriole is present in animals and lower
plants
16 e.g.Bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Mycoplasma and 16 e.g.Protists, Fungi, Plants and Animals.
PPLO (Pleuro Pneumonia like organisms)

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Typical Bacterla
(1-2 um)

PPLO
(about 0.1 um)

Viruses
Fig:- Acetabularia
Atyplcal Eukaryotic cell (0.02-0.2um)
(10-20 um) (Unlcellular green alga)
Fig:- Comparlson of unicellular organisms
with typical eukaryotic cell

Note: Dodge recognised mesokaryotic organisation in dinoflagellates.

Mesokaryotic cell: Histone protein absent but nucleus with nuclear membrane present. Chromosomes
are condensed and visible even in interphase. e.g. Dinoflagellates.

Prokaryotic cell-
Cell that bears naked genetic material i.e. nucleus is without envelop is known as prokaryotic cell. This
group is represented by Bacteria, Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria), Mycoplasma. They may vary
greatly in shape and size. The four basic shapes of bacteria are
(a) bacillus (rod like)
" (b) coccus (spherical)
(c)vibrio (comma shaped)
(d) spirillum (spiral)

Lipid Mesosome Cell wall Respiratory Enzymes

Glycogen Globule
RNA

Pilus

Flagelium
-Hook

Basal body
Filament

Ribosome

Polyribosome Nucleold Plasma Cytoplasm

Membrane
Mucllage

fig:- Ultrastructure of Prokaryotic cell

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Structure of prokaryotic cell:

(i) Likeeukaryotic cells, they are different in shape and size but smaller than eukaryotes and divide
rapidly.
(ii) Naked genetic material is called genophore /Nucleoid.
(ii) Genomic DNA 0s circular and naked (without histone protein) and termed as single chromosome.
(iv) Beside genomic DNA, smallcircular DNA is also present inmany bacteria called plasmid which
make them antibiotic resistant, regulates some phenotypes and also responsible for
bacterial transformation.
() Most prokaryotic cells mainly the bacterial cell has envelope consists of three layers, which are
tightly bound outer glycocalyx,middle cell wall and innermost cell membrane.
(vi) Although each layer of the envelope performs distinct function, they act together as a single
protective unit.
(vi) If these envelopes are stained by Gram stain then they are called Gram positive bacteria while
other those don't have are called Gram negative bacteria.
(vii) Glycocalyx, a polysaccharide envelope forms either loose sheath slime layer or thick and tough
structure capsule.
(ix) Cel wall usually consists of peptidogylan,absent in mycoplasma.
(x) The cell wall determines the shape of the cell and provides a strong structural support to prevent
the bacterium from bursting or collapsing.
(xi) Cell membrane consists of lipoprotein. It is common structure between prokary otic cell
and Eukaryotic cell.
(xi) The cell membrane is selectively permeable in nature and interacts with the outside world.
(xii) Essential infoldings of Plasma membrane towards cytoplasm are called Mesosomes. They
can be in form of the Vesicles Tubules and Lamellae.
These help in:
(a) Cellwall formation (b) DNA replication and distribution to daughter cells (c) Respiration
(analogous to mitochondria) (d) secretion of processes (to increase the surface area of the
plasma membrane and enzymatic content).
(xiv) In cyanobacteria, there are other membranous extensions into the cytoplasm called
chromatophores that contain pigments (analogous to chloroplast).
(xv) Cell wall form some filamentous extensions called flagellum. It consists of filament, hook
and basal body and helps in locomotion.
(xvi) Besides flagella, Pili and Fimbriae are also surface structures of the bacteria but do not
play a role in motility. The pili are elongated tubular structures made of a special protein pilin.
The fimbriae are small bristle like fibres sprouting out of the cellthat provides attachment
to substratum or host tissue.
(xvi) In prokaryotes, ribosomes are associated with the plasma membrane of the cell. They are
about 15 nm by 20 nm in size.
(xvii) 70S type of ribosomes are found in prokary otic cells. Its two subunits are 50S and 30S.
Several ribosomes are joined with mRNA to form polysome or polyribosome for eficient
conduction of protein synthesis.
(xix) Reserved
bodies.
food materlals are stored in cytoplasm in the fom of non-living inclusion
(NEET-2017)
(xx) Inclusion bodies are not bound by any membrane system and lie free in the cytoplasm.
(xxi) Gas vacuoles are found in blue green algae (Cyanobacteria), purple sulphur bacteria and
green sulphur bacteria.

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Differences between Plant and Animal Cells

S.No. Animal Cell
S.No. Plant Cell
1 Acell wall is absent.
Aplant cell has rigid wall on the outside.
2 2 Plastids are usually absent.
Plastids are found in plant cells
3 A mature cell has a large central vacuole. An animalcell may have many small
vacuoles.
4 Nucleus usually Iies in the centre.
4 Nucleus lies on one side in the peripheral
cytoplasm due to central vacuole.
5 5 Centrioles are found in animal cells.
Centrioles are usually absent.
6 Spindle apparatus formed during nuclear 6 Spindle is amphiastral.
division is anastral.
7 Golgi apparatus consists of number of 7 Golgiapparatus is either localised or diffused
distinct and unconnected units called and consists of a well connected single
complex.
dictyosomes.
8 Reserve food is generally starch and fat. 8 Reserve food is usually glycogen and fat.
Adjacent cells may be connected through Adjacent cells are connected through
plasmodesmata.
a number of cell junctions.

10 Cytokinesis occurs by cell plate. 10 Cytokinesis takes place by cleavage.

Rough endoplasmic
reticulum
Lysosome
Smooth
endoplasmic
reticulum

Plasmodesnata Nucleus

Nucdeolus

Golgi
apparatus
(icrotubule
Nuclear
envelope
Plasma
membrane

Vacuole
-Middlelamella

Cell wall
(a)
Peroxisome Mttochondrion
Cytoplasm
Ribosomes
Chloroplast

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Golg Microvll1
apparatus
Plasrma
mermbrane

Centriole

Smooth Peroxiome
endoplasmlc
retlcuhm
Lysosome
Nuclear
envelope Ribosomes
Nucleolus
Mitochondrion

Rough
endoplasmic
Nucleus reticuhum
(b)
Cytoplasm

Figure: Diagram showing: (a) Plant cell (b) Animal cell

Cell wall
It was first studied by Robert Hooke in cork cells.
It is outer most dead covering around plant cell. That is secreted by
cytoplasm/(Protoplasm).
Cell wall not only gives shape to the cell and protects the cell from mechanical damage and
infection, it also helps in cell-to-cell interaction and provides barrier to undesirable
macromolecules. Algae have cell wall, made of cellulose, galactarns, mannans and minerals
like calcium carbonate.
In plant cell it is usually composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins and proteins but in
bacteria and BGA it is composed of peptidoglycan and DAPA. In fungi it consists of chitin. It is
absent in Animals, Mycoplasma.
Structure of the cellwall
The diameter of cell wallvaries from 0.1-10um.
A
cell wallcontains (a) matrix (b) fibrils (c) depositions
Resorate the concept
ChemicalCompostion of cell wall:
Matrix: Water-60%. Hemicellulose-5-15%. Pectic Substances-2-8%. Lipids-0.5-3.0%. Proteins-1-2%
Microfibrils: Cellulose / fungus cellulose-10-15%.0ther depostions 0.025%. Cellulose isa main
Component of cell wall.

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 CELL:THE UNIT OF LIFE
The cell wall is formed of following layers
(1) Middle Lamella
(ii) Primary wall
(ii) Secondary Wal
(iv) Tertiary wall
(i) Middile Lamella:
It is thin amophous cementing layer for joining of two adjacent plant cells.
It is compOsed of pectin as calcium and magnesium pectate (mainly calcium pactate)
It is absent on the outer free surface of cell and plasmodesmata.
Retting of fibres and softening of fruits are due to dissolution of calcium pectate in middle
lamella by pectinase enzyme.
The cell wall and middle lamellae may be traversed by plasmodesrnata which connect the
cytoplasm of neighbouring cells
(ii) Primary wall:
It is elastic, pemeable and thin, single layered outer most wall layer of plant cell.
Cellulose, hemicellukose and pectin contents are roughly in equal amount in primary wall.
Root hairs, parenchymatous cells and meristematic cells are formed of only primary wal.
It is capable of growth. Its growth takes place by intussusception (Addition of materials with
in the existing wall).
Itgenerally diminshes as the cellmatures.

Middie lamella

Primary wal.

Secondary
wall Lumen

S
S,

Fig:- Parts and Layers of cell wall

(i) Secondary wall:

It lies inside the primary wall ie. it lies
towards
membrane side of the cell
Its growth takes place by Accretion (deposition of materials over the
structure). surtace of existing
It consists of at least three layers-S,, S,, S,, this wall is made up of
and pectin. cellulose, hemicelulose

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Diforentes Betwean Prnay and Secondary Wals

S.No. Primary Wail S.No. Secondary Wall
1 It is single layered formed in young 1 It is three or more layered formed when the
growing cell. cellhas stopped growing.
2 Cellulose microfibrils are shorter, Cellulose microfibrils are longer, closely
wavy and loosely arranged. arranged, straight and parallel.
3 Cellulose content is compartively Cellulose content is compartively high.
low.
4 Hemicellulose is upto 50%. 4 Hemicellulose is about 25%.
5 Pits are usually absent. 5 Pits are common.
Itgrows by intussusception. 6 It grows by accretion.
7 Lipidcontent is5-10%, protein is 7 Lipid is absent, protein content is 1% or
5%. jess.

Thickenings of cell wall

(a) Spiral thickenings (b) Annular thickenings (c) Sclariform thickenings
(d) Reticulate thickenings (e) Pitted thickenings
Pits: They represent unthickened areas in the secondary walls ofplant cels that occur as depressions.
A pit contains pit chamber and a pit membrane.
The pit membrane composed of primary wall and middle lamella. Pits are two types

Simple pit PIt cavity

Border
Bordered pit Torus
Pitpore
PIt cavlty Secondary
Wall
Pit pore Primary
mombrane
Wall Pit Primary
Wall
Secondary Middle
Wall Lamella Middle|
Lamella

() (ii) (ii) (Iv)

Fig:- Pits. (0) surface view of simple pits. (i) simple pit pairs in section.
(ii) Surface view of bordered pits.(iv) Bordered pit pairs in section.

(a) Simple pits: It bears uniform width of the pit chamber.

(b) Bordered pits:
Its chamber is flask-shaped due to overarchingof secondary wall on its mouth.
Its pit membrane has thickeningof suberin called Torus.
In bordered pits the diffusion is regulated by torus and it functions as a valve.
These pits are found abundantly in tracheids of gymnosperms (have maximum number of
bordered pits) and in vessels of angiosperms.
(iv) Tertiary wall:
Sometimes innermost layer of the secondary wall is distinct both chemically as well as in staining
properties due to the presence of xylans. It is called tertiary wall Eg. Tension wood in
gymnosperms.

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(FL THE UNIT OF LIFE

Resonate the concept

Important point on cellwall
adjacent plant cells are called
|() Plasmodesmata: The cytoplasmic bridges between
plasmodesmata. They contain E.R. tubules called Desmotubules.
by loosing cellulose microfibril
(2) Expansin: It is special protein that takes part in growth of cell wall
and addition of new cell wall material in the space.
(3) Extensin: This protein connects pectin and hemicellulose.
(4) Cell Coat: In many animals and protistans distinct layer of glycocalyx is
found in the outer
surface of cells. It is fibrous and composed of oligosaccharides. It helps in cell recognition,
protection etc.

Cell Membrane
It is outermost covering of the cell that is elastic, living, pliable, hydrophilic and selective
permeable membrane.
It is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Structure
The detailed structure of the membrane was studied only after the advent of the electron
microscope in the 1950s.
Cell membranes can be observed in electron microscope. It appears trilaminar or tripartite layer
under electron microscope.
Meanwhile,chemical studies on the cell membrane, especially in human red blood cells (RBCs),
enabled the scientists to deduce the possible structure of plasma membrane.
Chemically a ceil membrane contains proteins, Lipids, carbohydrates, water. DNA, RNA are
absent.

The ratio of protein and lipid in plasma membrane varies e.g. in human beings, the
membrane of the erythrocyte has approximately 52 per cent protein and 40 per cent lipids.
Proteins are globular in nature including structural, enzymatic, carrier, permease and receptor
proteins.
Lipids are usually phospholipids (arranged in bilayer) that are amphiatic I amphipathic
containing polar hydrophilic heads (outside) and nonpolar hydrophobic tails (inside).
Cholesterol provides regidity and stability to the cell membrane.
Carbohydrates of cell membranes are small unbranched or branched chains of oligosacch arides.
They combine with both lipids and protein molecules on outer surface of the membrane and form
glycolipids and glycoproteins respectively.

Model of cell membrane:

(1) Lamellar or sandwitch model: Plasma membrane bears both lipids layers in between two protein
layers.
(ii) Unit membrane model: It was proposed by Robertson (1959) He stated that lipid bilayer is
surrounded by extended ß - protein He gave unit membrane concept

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Glycoprotein
Polar end
(Hydrophilic)
Non-Polar end
(Hydrophobic)
Lipid
Bilayer.

Protein
Fig:- Unitmembrane model of Robertson

This model is unable to explain the selective permeability and elasticity of plasma membrane.
(ii) Fluid mosaic model:
It was proposed by Singer and Nicolson (1972).
It is most recognized model for plasma membrane.
According to this, the quasi-fluid nature of lipid enables lateral movement of proteins within
the overall bilayer.
This ability to move within the membrane is measured as its fluidity.
They stated that plasmamembrane contains lipid bilayer in which protein are found on both outer
and inner side to form mosaic pattern.
Thus they described it as protein icebergs in sea of lipids.
The fluid nature of the membrane is also important from the point of view of functions like
cell growth, formation of intercellular junctions, secretion, endocytosis,cell division etc.
Dependingon ease of extraction, proteins of membrane are of two types.
(a) Externalor extrinsic proteins:
It is peripheral protein (30% of total protein).
They lie on the surface of the membrane.
It can be easily removed e.g. Spectrin in RBC.
(b) Integral or intrinsic proteins:
It is about 70% of total protein.
They are buried partially or totally in plasma membrane.
These can not be separated easily. e.g. Cytochrome oxidase, Porin Proteins.
They may function as carriers, permeases, enzymes, receptors.
Some large globular intrinsic proteins pass as a helix into the lipid bilayer from outside to inside
to form tunnel proteins or transmembrane proteins,
The transmembrane proteins act as channels for passage of water soluble materials and water.
The plasma membrane is asymmetric due to oligosaccharides which form glycolipids and
glycoprotein alongwith lipids and proteins respectively.
Both glycolipids and glycoproteins form glycocalyx.
Oligosaccharide part in glycocalyx acts as recognition centre, site for attachment and provides
antigen specificity to cell membranes, blood grouping, immune response and matching of tissues in
transplantation of organs.

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 CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE

Sugar Peripheral
Protetn
Phospholiptd
bilayer
Glycoprotein
Gycolipid

Cholesterol

Figure: Fluid mosaic model of plasma membrane

Resohate the concept

Special points of cell membrane
Phospholipid also show exchange of molecule from one monolayer to the monolayer of other
side it is cailed as flip-flop movement.
(i) Flip-flop movement is absent in protein molecules.
(ii) Protein and lipid both can show rotational and lateral diffusion in membrane.
(iv) Eukaryotic plasma membrane contains cholesterol but in prokaryotes hopan oids are
present instead of it.
(v) Lipids provide fluidity, elasticity and stability and make growth, formation of cell junctions, cell
division and endocytosis possible.
(vi) Glycoproteins and glycolipids provide antigen specificity eg. RBC antigen, fertilizin- antifertilizin
reaction

Functions of plasma membrane

Membrane transport:
Cellmembrane is considered as selective permeable membrane.
Passage of substances across biomembranes occur by following methods.
() Passive transport: It involves following methods (i) Diffusion (ii) Osmosis (iii) Facilitated
diffusion
(1) Fat soluble substances can channelise directly across lipid layer.
(2) Neutral solutes may move across the membrane by the process of simple diffusion
along the concentration gradient, i.e., from higher concentration to the lower.
(3) Water may also move across this membrane fronm higher to lower concentration.
Movement of water by diffusion is caled osmosis.
(4) The polar molecules cannot pass through the nonpolar lipid bilayer, they require a
carrier protein of the membrane to facilitate their transport across the membrane
called as facilitated diffusion.

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CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE
(D) Active transport: Some ions or molecules are
transported across the membrane against
their concentration gradient, i.e. from lower to the bigher
concentration. Such a transport
IS an energy dependent process, in which ATP is utilised and is called active transport,
e.g., Na+/K+ Pump.
(l) Bulk transport: It take place by two
methods.
(0) Endocytosis: The inward transport of material by means of carrier vesicles is called
endocytosis. It includes two types.
(a) Pinocytosis or Potocytosis (Cell drinking): Intake of fluid substances by plasmalemma
in the form of vesicles (Pinosome) is called
pinocytosis.
(b) Phagocytosis (Cell eating) : Intake of solid food substances by plasmalemma in the form
of vesicles (Phagosome) is called phagocytosis.
(ü) Exocytosis (Cell vomitting or emiocytosis): It is reverse of endocytosis in which waste
materialsare removed from the cell. It involves reverse pinocytosis.

Resonate with NCERT

1. Select the incorrect pair
(1) MesOsome - Infolding of cell membrane
(2) Microsomes - Ribosomes of Bacteria
(3) Polysome - m-RNA + ribosomal RNA
(4) Amyloplast Storage of starch
2. In which feature prokaryotic cell shows resemblance with eukaryotic cell.
(1) Ribosome (2) Mesosome (3) Cell membrane (4) Cell wall
3. Select the wrong pair
Type of Cells Shape of cells
(1) Red blood cells Round & biconcave
(2) Columner epithelial cells Long & narrow
(3) Nerve cell Unbranched &long
(4) Mesophyll Cells Round & Oval
4. The two neighbouring plants cells are connected by
(1) Gap junction (2) Desmosome (3) Plasmodesmata (4) Tight junction
5. The lateral diffusion of protein inthe lipid bilayer occurs because lipid bilayer has
(1) Flexibility (2) Fluidity (3) Stability (4) None
Answer Key
1. (2) 2. (3) 3 (3) 4. (3) 5 (2)

Cytoplasm
It lies between the nucleus and cell membrane.
In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, a semi fluid matrix called as cytoplasm occupies the
volume of the cell.
Cytoplasm is the main arena of cellular activities in both plant cells and animal cells.
Various chemical reactions occur in cytoplasm to keep the cell in living state.
It includes two parts.
Cytosol / Hyaloplasm / Ground plasm:
Liquid part of cytoplasm except cell organelles
It can exist in sol and gel state called plasmasol and plasma gel.
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NEET OB -14
CELL: THE UNIT OF LIFE
streaming or cyclosis occur in eukarvotic
Cytoplasmic streaming: It is also called as protoplasmic
cells.

Function:
chloroplast in relation to light intensity.
(C) Helpin movement of organelle such as
food vacuole in Amoeba.
(d) Distribution of various substances and
repair of membrane and in heat distritbution.
(e) Fommation of pseudopodia in Amoeba and in
Trophoplasm: It involves cellorganelles and cell inclusions.
(0) Cell nclusions: bodies. They are of three types
They are non-living substances also known as ergastic
and aleuron grains.
(A) Reserve food: It includes starch, glycogen, fat droplets
(i) Starch grains
(ii) Giycogen granules: Animal cells
(iii) Fat droplets: Animal and Plant cells
(iv) Aleurone grains
(B) Excretory or secretory products:
Mucus in several animal cells, essential oils, alkaloids, resins, gums, tanins, latex etc.
(C) Mineral matter:
Silica found in epidermal cells of grasses.
Calcium carbonate crystals (cystolith) found in epidermal cells of momordica, hypodermal leaf
cells of Banyan.
Calcium oxalate occurs in the form of powdery mass (crystal sand) in atropa, star shaped
sphaerophide in Colocasia, Begonia, Chenopodium prismatic crystals in dry scales of Onion,
needie shaped raphides in lemna, Eichhornia.

(I1) Cellorganelles
Plastids:
They are found in all plant cells and in Euglenoids.
These are easily observed under the microscope as they are large.
These are double membrane bound, DNA containing largest organelles in plant cells.
Origin: All types of plastids have common origin from proplastids (sac like non-lamellar
structures).
They bear some specific pigments, thus imparting specific colours to the plants.
Based on type of pigments, theyare of three types.
(i) Leucoplasts (ii) Chromoplasts (iii)Chloroplasts
i. Leucoplasts: Colourless, largest plastids. They are classified on the basis of stored material
(1) Amyloplasts: They store carbohydrates in the form of starch e.g. Potato.
(2) Aleuroplasts or Proteinoplasts: They store proteins.
(3) Elaioplasts: They store oil or fats.
ii. Chromoplasts: They are coloured plastids those have fat soluble carotenoids like carOtene
Xanthophyll andothers are present. e.g. carotene in carrot, lycopene in tomato and chilies.
This gives the partof the planta yellow, orange or red colour.