CHAPTER 2

Cells
Chapter Cells
2

2.1 Cells
2.2 Specialised Cells, Tissues, Organs and
Systems
2.1 Cells

Learning Outcomes
After this section, you should be able to:
• identify the following organelles from plant and
animal cells:
- chloroplast
- cell membrane
- cell wall
- cytoplasm
- vacuole
- nucleus
2.1 Cells

Learning Outcomes
After this section, you should be able to:
• identify the following membrane systems from
plant and animal cells:
- mitochondria
- ribosomes
2.1 Cells

Learning Outcomes
After this section, you should be able to:
• state the functions of the organelles and
membrane systems; and
• compare the structures of plant and animal cells.
2.1 Cells

Cells

• A cell is a unit of life.

• A cell has all the characteristics of life.

2.1 Cells

What does a cell consist of?

• Each living cell consists of living material called

protoplasm.

• Protoplasm of cell is made up of three parts:

– Cell membrane cell membrane
– Cytoplasm
– Nucleus cytoplasm

nucleus
2.1 Cells

Cell membrane

• The cell membrane is also known

as the plasma membrane.

• It is partially permeable.

• It allows only some substances

to pass through it, thereby
controls the substances
entering and leaving the cell.
2.1 Cells

Cytoplasm

• A lot of chemical reactions take

place here.

• It contains specialised structures

called organelles.

• Examples of organelles include:

– Mitochondrion
– Ribosome
2.1 Cells

Mitochondria

• Mitochondria perform
aerobic respiration.

• They release energy in

food for cell activities.
2.1 Cells

Ribosomes

• Ribosomes are small

spherical structures.

free • They are responsible for

ribosome making proteins

attached • Ribosomes may be

ribosome attached to certain
membranes in cells or lie
freely in the cytoplasm.
2.1 Cells

Nucleus

• The nucleus consists of:

– a nuclear envelope
– chromatin threads
chromatin – a nucleolus
nuclear
envelope • Functions of the nucleus:
– Controls the
nucleolus activities of the cell
– Important for cell
division
2.1 Cells

Nucleus

Nuclear envelope
separates the
contents of nucleus
from the
cytoplasm.

Nucleolus is a small
spherical structure that
helps in the manufacture
of proteins.

chromatin
2.1 Cells

Chromatin
• Chromatin threads are long thread-like protein DNA
structures.

• They contain hereditary materials.

• It is made up of:
– deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA
– proteins

• The DNA molecule carries genes that

controls the activities of the cell.
2.1 Cells

Vacuoles
• Vacuoles store food substances within the cell.
• Animal cells have numerous small vacuoles
containing water and food substances.
• Plant cells have a large central vacuole containing
cell sap.

vacuoles large
central
vacuole

Animal cell Plant cell

2.1 Cells

Cell wall

• The cell wall is found in plant cells

but is absent in animal cells.

• Cell wall is made of cellulose.

• It protects and supports the cell

and gives the cell a regular shape.
cell wall
• It is fully permeable.
2.1 Cells

Chloroplasts

• Oval structures containing

chlorophyll
• Required for photosynthesis
to occur

chloroplast
2.1 Cells

Differences between a plant cell and

an animal cell
Plant cell Animal cell

Cell wall present Cell wall absent

Chloroplasts present Chloroplasts absent

A large central vacuole Numerous small vacuoles

Chapter Cells
2

2.1 Cells
2.2 Specialised Cells, Tissues, Organs and
Systems
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Learning Outcomes
After this section, you should be able to:
• relate the cell structure to cell function for
- red blood cells
- xylem vessels
- root hair cells; and
• differentiate between cell, tissue, organ and organ
system
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Differentiation

• Differentiation is the process by which a cell

becomes specialised for a specific function.
• Examples of specialised cells are red blood cells
and root hair cells.
Note:
Specialised cells develop special structures or lose certain structures to
enable them to carry out their functions efficiently.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Red blood cell
To transport oxygen around the body
• Contains Haemoglobin to transport oxygen from lungs to
all parts of the body.
• A red blood cell has no nucleus, thus enabling it to carry
more oxygen.
• A red blood cell has a biconcave shape (thinner central
portion), increasing the surface area to volume ratio that
increases the rate of diffusion of oxygen.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Xylem vessel
To transport water and mineral salts
lumen • Xylem vessels are long
lignified hollow tubes to allow
wall
water to flow through the
lumen.
• Their walls are thickened
with lignin to prevent the
vessel from collapsing.
pits T.S.

Xylem vessel
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Root hair cell
Absorption of water and mineral salts.
• A root hair cell is long and
narrow.
• This increases the surface
area to volume ratio for the
root hair cell to absorb water
and mineral salts at a faster
rate.
long and narrow
root hair cell
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Ciliated Cells
Moves mucus in the trachea and bronchi
• Cilia are tiny hair like
structures on the surface of
the cell.
• The hairs sweep mucus,
trapped dust and bacteria
up to the back of the throat
where it can be swallowed.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Sperm and Egg Cells

Reproductive cells also known as gametes.
• The sperm cell has a head
and a tail. The head
contains enzymes to digest
the egg membrane. The tail
helps them move towards
the egg cell.
• The egg cell is big in size,
having more cytoplasm, to
make it easier for embryo
development within it.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Palisade mesophyll cells
Contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis

• Contains numerous
chloroplasts
• Chlorophyll in the
chloroplasts traps light
energy for photosynthesis.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
How do cells work together in a
multicellular organism?

Cells Specialised for a particular

function

A group of similar cells which

Tissue work together to perform a
specific function

Organ Different tissues working together

to carry out a specific function

Several related organs working

Organ system together to carry out a particular
function
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Tissues

• Simple tissues are made up of only one type of

cells.
• Examples include muscle tissue.

Muscle tissue
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Tissues

• Complex tissues are made up of several types of

cells.
• Examples include blood tissue, nerve tissue and
phloem tissue.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Organs
• The tissues in an organ carry out different functions,
enabling the organ to work properly.
• Examples of organs in human beings are the brain,
heart and kidneys.

Brain Heart Kidney

 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Organs

• Examples of organs in plants are the leaves

and flowers.
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems
Organ systems
• The digestive system is made up of organs such
as the stomach and intestine.
• The respiratory system is made up of organs such
as the trachea and lungs.
trachea
stomach digestive respiratory
system system

intestine
lungs
 Specialised Cells, Tissues,
2.2 Organs and Systems

Organ systems

• There are two main organ systems in plants: shoot

system and root system.
• The shoot system consists of leaves, stems, flowers
and fruits.
• The root system consists of roots.
Chapter Cells
2