18 Sep 2020

CHAPTER- 8 CELL: STRUCTURE AND FUCTION

CELL: Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

CELL MEMBRANE: Cell membrane is a membrane that separates the interior of

all cells from the outside environment. It is also called the plasma membrane.

CELL WALL: Cell wall is a hard and rigid outer covering of plasma membrane
and found in plant cells only. It provides strength and structural support to the cell.

CHLOROPLASTS: Chloroplasts are the green coloured plastids having

chlorophyll (a pigment that is essential for photosynthesis).

CHROMOSOMES: Chromosomes are a thread like structures found in the

nucleus. They carry genes.

PROTOPLASM: Protoplasm is the viscous fluid inside the cell, which provides
living nature to it.

EUKARYOTES: The organisms having eukaryotic cells, i.e., contains a well-

developed nucleus are called eukaryotes.

PROKARYOTES: The organisms with prokaryotic cells, ie which lack true

nucleus; they are called prokaryotes e.g., bacteria and blue green algae.

GENES: Genes are located on chromosomes. Gene is a unit of inheritance in

living organisms.

MULTICELLULAR: Multicellular is the category of the organism like plants

and animals, containing large number of cells.

NUCLEUS: Nucleus is the denser region of the cell and may be present at the
centre of the cell.

NUCLEOLUS: Nucleolus is a smaller, spherical and dense body inside the

nucleus.
NUCLEAR MEMBRANE: Nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by the
nuclear membrane.

ORGAN: An Organ is a group of tissues, specialized to perform specific

functions.

ORGANELLE: Organelle is one of the smaller components of a cell.

PLASMA MEMBRANE: Plasma membrane is a membrane around the cell, also

called cell membrane.

PLASTIDS: Plastids are doubled membrane sac-like organelles generally

involved in either the manufacture or storage of food.

PSEUDOPODIA: Pseudopodia are the projections protruding out of the body of

amoeba. These appear and disappear as amoeba moves.

TISSUE: A tissue is a group of similar cells performing a specific function.

UNICELLULAR: Unicellular is the category or organism like bacteria containing

only a single cell.

VACUOLES: Vacuoles are the oraganelle in cells which functions to holds

various solutions or materials.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBC): It is one of the components of blood cells. It is

an example of a single cell which can change its shape.

Exercise Questions
Q1. Indicate whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).

(a) Unicellular organisms have one-celled body. (T/F)

(b) Muscle cells are branched. (T/F)

(c) The basic living unit of an organism is an organ. (T/F)

(d) Amoeba has irregular shape. (T/F)

Ans.

a)True

b) False

c) False

d) True

Q2. Make a sketch of the human nerve cell. What function do nerve cells
perform?

Ans.

The main function of the nerve cell is to transmit messages to the brain from
receptor organs and vice versa. It has control over the working of different parts of
the body.

Q3. Write short notes on the following.

(a) Cytoplasm

(b) Nucleus of a cell

Ans. (a) Cytoplasm:

The cytoplasm is a fluid that contains all the cell organelles such as the
Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Golgi bodies, etc. It is present between the nucleus and
the plasma membrane. It helps in the exchange of materials between cell
organelles. It is made up of eighty percent water and is usually clear and
colourless.

(b) The nucleus of a cell:

The nucleus is a spherical structure generally present at the centre of the cell. It is
the command centre of the cell. It has the following components:

 Nuclear membrane
 Nucleolus
 Chromosomes

1. Nuclear membrane:

It has is a double-layered membrane. It separates the contents of the nucleus from

the cytoplasm. The nuclear membrane has nuclear pores that allow the transfer of
certain substances in and out of the cell.

2. Nucleolus:

It is a small dense spherical body. It is not bound by any membrane.

3. Chromosome:

These are thread-like structures that carry genes. All the necessary information
required for the transfer of characteristics from the parents to the offspring are
stored in the genes. Thus, chromosomes play an important role in the inheritance of
characteristics.

Q4. Which part of the cell contains organelles?

Ans. Cytoplasm is the part of the cell that contains various organelles such as
Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Golgi bodies, etc. It is a clear and colorless fluid that
fills the cell and occurs between the plasma membrane and the nucleus.

Q5. Make sketches of animal and plant cells. State three differences between
them.

Ans.
Animal cell Plant cell

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

Cell wall is absent. Cell wall is present.

Vacuoles are small in size. Vacuoles are larger in size.
 No other animal cell Plastids are present.
possesses plastids except for
the protozoan Euglena.

Q6. State the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

Ans.

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
Most of them are unicellular Most of them are multicellular
There is no nuclear membrane. There is a nuclear membrane. So, the
So, the nucleus is poorly defined. nucleus is well defined.
Not all cell organelles are present All the cell organelles are present.
Nucleolus is absent Nucleolus is present
Eg: Blue-green algae, Bacteria Eg: Plant, Animal cells and Fungi.

Q7. Where are chromosomes found in a cell? State their function.

Ans. The nucleus contains thread like structures called chromosomes.

Chromosomes play an important role in the inheritance of characters. They carry
genes that help in the transfer of characteristics from the parents to the offspring.

Q8. ‘Cells are the basic structural units of living organisms’. Explain.

Ans. Cell is the smallest unit of life and is capable of all living functions. They are
the building blocks of life. That is the reason why cells are referred to as ‘the basic
structural and functional blocks of life’. Cells exist in various shapes and sizes and
perform a wide range of activities. Their shapes and sizes are related to the
function they performs.

Q9. Explain why chloroplasts are found only in plant cells.

Ans.

Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells. They contain a green pigment called
chlorophyll. This green pigment is important for photosynthesis in green plants.
This chlorophyll pigment traps solar energy and utilize it to manufacture food for
the plant.

Q10. Complete the crossword with the help of clues given below.

Across

1. This is necessary for photosynthesis.

3. Term for component present in the cytoplasm.

6. The living substance in the cell.

8. Units of inheritance present on the chromosomes.

Down

1. Green plastids.

2. Formed by collection of tissues.

4. It separates the contents of the cell from the surrounding medium.

5. Empty structure in the cytoplasm.

7. A group of cells.
Ans.

Across

1. Chlorophyll
2. Organelle
3. Protoplasm
4. Genes

Down

1. Chloroplasts
2. Organ
3. Membrane
4. Vacuole
5. Tissue
EXTRA QUESTIONS:

Q1. What is cytoplasm?

Ans. The jelly like substance present between the cell membrane and nucleus is
called cytoplasm.

Q2. How will you define a unicellular organism?

Ans. An organism which is composed of a single cell is called unicellular
organism.

Q3. What are the different functions performed by cell membrane?

Ans. Following are the functions performed by cell membrane:
1. It separates cells from each other.
2. It keeps the cell separated from surrounding external medium.
3. It gives shape and size to the cell.
4. It allows movement of selected substances inside and outside the cell.
5. It provides support to the cell.

Q4.What is the function of cell wall?

Ans. Cell wall is a tough, rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells
(plants and some bacterial cells). The major function of the cell wall is to
provide rigidity, tensile strength, structural support, protection against
mechanical stress and infection.

Q5. What is an organ?

Ans. The structure that contains more than one type of tissues and is
visible to the naked eyes are called organs.

Q6. What is nucleolus?

Ans. A spherical body present at the centre of the nucleus is called the
nucleolus.

Q7. What are cell organelles?

Ans. The tiny components present in the cytoplasm are called cell
organelles.

Q8. Differentiate between

(a) Cell wall and cell membrane
(b) Vacuole in a plant cell and an animal cell
(c) A tissue and an organ

Ans.

(a)
Cell wall Cell membrane
(i) It is present in only plant cells. (i) It is present in both plant and animal
cells.
(ii) It is rigid, thick structure. (ii) It is delicate, thin structure.

(iii) It is completely permeable to (iii) It is selectively permeable to

ordinary molecules. molecules.
(iv) It is metabolically inactive and non- (iv) It is metabolically active and living.
living.

(b)

Vacuoles in plants Vacuoles in animals

(i) Animal cell vacuoles are smaller in
(i) Plant cell vacuoles are large in size.
size.
(ii) Usually a large central vacuole is
(ii) Many vacuoles are found.
found.
(iii) It is usually permanent structure. (iii) It is mostly temporary structure.

(c)

Tissue Organ
It is made of similar cells.
It is made of similar tissues. Example:
Example: Muscle tissue, connective tissue,
Heart, lung, stomach, etc.
nerve tissue, etc.

Q9. What are the main functional regions of a cell? Explain.

Ans. Main functional regions of a cell are:

 Plasma membrane: This is the membrane which makes the outer boundary of
the cells. It is very thin, delicate and selectively permeable.
 Cytoplasm: Cytoplasm is viscous, transparent jelly-like substance of the cell.
It contains cell organelles.
  Nucleus: Nucleus controls the working of the cell. It is a dense oval body
lying in the protoplasm of the cell.

Q10. Why plant cells need cell walls?

Ans. As plants cannot move, they need protection against variations in

temperature, high wind speed, atmospheric moisture, etc.so, they need cell walls.

Q11. Write down the functions of mitochondria, golgi bodies and ribosomes.

Ans.

Mitochondria- It provides energy to the cell.

Golgi Bodies- It packages, dispatches the cellular secretions.

Ribosomes- It is helpful in protein synthesis.

Prepared By: Mrs Pallvi Sharma