Cell - The Unit of Life
Cell - The Unit of Life
Cell - The Unit of Life
Cell Theory : Cell Theory was formulated by Schleiden and Schwann, and
was modiied by Rudolf Virchow. Cell theory States.
(A) All living organisms are composed of cells and products of cells.
(B) All cells arise from pre-exiting cells.
Cell : Cell is the tructural and functional unit of life.
Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cells
Generally small sized (1–10 µm) Generally large sized (5–10 µm)
Well deined nucleus absent Well deined nucleus present
Membrane bounded cell organelles Membrane bounded cell organelles
absent present
DNA without histone protein DNA with histone protein
e.g., Bacteria, Mycoplasma, Blue e.g., Amoeba, Euglena and other
green Algae higher organism
Gram Positive Bacteria Gram Negative Bacteria
Bacteria that take up gram Bacteria do not take up gram stain
Stain. e.g., Bacillus e.g., Escherichia Coli
PROKARYOTIC CELL :
Modification of cell envelope
Slime layer : Glycocalyx in form of loose sheath.
Capsule : Glycocalyx in form of thick and tough sheath.
Mesosomes : Extension of plasma membrane. These can be in the form of
vesicles, tubules and lamellae.
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Functions : Cell wall formation, DNA replication and distribution to daughter
cells, respiration, secretion processes, to increase surface area of plasma
membrane and enzyme content.
Flagella : Extension of cell wall. It is composed of three structure–ilament,
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Cell Wall is non-living rigid structure which gives shape to the cell and
protects cell from mechanical damage and infection, helps in cell-to-cell interaction
and provides barrier to undesirable macromolecules.
Cell wall of algae is made of cellulose, galactans, mannans and minerals like
calcium carbonate. Plant cell wall consists of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins
and proteins.
Middle lamella is made of calcium pectate which holds neighbouring cells
together.
Plasmodesmata connect the cytoplasm of neighbouring cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Consists of network of tiny tubular structure. ER divides the intracellular
space into two distinct compartments–luminal (inside ER) and extra luminal
(cytoplasm).
(i) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) :
Ribosomes attached to outer surface.
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Mitochondria : Double membraned structure. Outer membrane smooth and
inner membrane forms a number of infoldings called cristae The inner compartment
is called matrix. The cristae increase the surface area.
DNA (Circular)
OUTER MEMBRANE
RIBOSOME (70S)
CRISTA
MATRIX
INNER MEMBRANE
OUTER MEMBRANE
Mitochondria
Function : Sites of aerobic respiration. Called ’power houses’ of cell as
produce cellular energy in the form of ATP. Matrix possesses single circular DNA
molecule, a few RNA molecules, ribsomes (70S). It divides by binary ission.
Plastids : Found in plant cells and in euglenoides. Chloroplasts, chromoplasts
and leucoplasts are 3 types of plastids depending on pigments contained.
Types of Plastids
Chloroplast
Fluid Mosaic Model of Plasma Membrane
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Ribosomes
Composed of RNA and proteins; without membrane. Eucaryotic ribosomes
are 80S. S = Svedberg’s unit)
Function : Site of protein synthesis.
Cytoskeleton : Network of ilaments.
Proteinaceous structure in cytoplasm made up of microtubules and micro
ilaments.
Function : Mechanical support, motility, maintenance of the shape of the cell.
Cilia and Flagella
Cilia are small structures which work like oars which help in movement.
Flagella are longer and responsible for cell movement. They are covered
with a plasma membrane. Core is called axoneme which has 9 + 2 arrangement
of axonemal microtubules.
Centrosome and Centrioles
Centrosome contains two cylindrical structures called centrioles. Surrounded
by amorphous pericentriolar material. Has 9 + 2 arrangement. Centrioles form the
basal body of cilia or lagella and spindle ibres for cell division in animal cells.
They produces spindle apparatus during cell divison.
Nucleus : With double membrane with perinuclear space and nuclear pores;
has Chromatin, nuclear matrix and nucleoli (site for rRNA synthesis). (Named
by Robert Brown – 1831)
Chromatin DNA + nonhistone proteins. (Named by Flemming)
Nucleoplasm – Nucleolus + Chromatin
Nulear membrane—It is with perinuclear space and nucleopores.
Chromosomes—DNA/RNA + Histone protein/Nonhistone protein.
Centromere : Primary constriction–disc is known as kinetochores.
No nucleus in Erythrocyctes (RBC) of mammals and sieve tubes in vascular
plants.
Chromosomes (on basis of position of centromere) :
Metacentric : Middle centromere.
Sub-metacentric : Centromere nearer to one end of chromosomes.
Acrocentric : Centromere situated close to its end.
Telocentric :Has terminal centromere.
Satellite : Some chromosomes have non-staining secondary constructions at
a constant location, which gives the appearance of small fragment called satellite.
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