Class Notes

Cell: The Unit of Life

Grade 9
 Topics to Be Covered

Introduction to Cells
1.1 Cell Theory
1 1.2 Functions of Cell
1.3 Discoveries Related to Cell and
Microscopes

Types of Cells

2 2.1 Based on Shape

2.2 Based on Size
2.3 Based on Number

3 Cell Organelles

4 Difference between Plant Cell

and Animal Cell

5 Difference between Prokaryotic

and Eukaryotic Cell
 1. Introduction to Cells

1.1 Cell Theory

• Cells are the smallest structural and functional unit

of life
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Organism
Molecule Cell Organ

Organ
Atom Organelle Tissue
System

1.2 Functions of Cell

Produce energy

Obtain Expel out

nutrition waste

Replicate to produce
its copy
 1.3 Discoveries Related to Cell
and Microscopes

Discoveries Related to Cell

Robert Hooke Robert Brown

observed cork discovered
cells under the nucleus of the
microscope. cell.

A.V
Schleiden and
Leeuwenhoek
observed living Schwann
cells for the first proposed the
time. cell theory

Microscopes

• Electron microscope • Compound microscope

gives a magnification to magnifies an object up
over 200,000 times. to a maximum of about
• The electron 2000 times.
microscope uses • The ordinary compound
beams of electrons microscope uses light
which are bent by which is bent by glass
magnets lenses to magnify the
image.
 2. Types of Cells

2.1 Based on Shape

Human RBC – White Blood Cells Nerve Cells – Long

Circular and - Amoeboid and branched
biconcave

Muscle cells – Long Guard Cells –

and contractile Bean shaped

2.2 Based on Size

Bacteria Ostrich Egg

0.3-5.0 µm Nerve cells – Largest
Red blood cells Longest (up to 1 (around 13cm
about 7 µm meter) in width)
 2.3 Based on Number

• Made up of a single cell.

• E.g. Amoeba, Paramecium
Unicellular

• Made up of many cells

• E.g. Humans, Mango.
Multicellular

3. Cell Organelles

Cell organelles are structures within the cell with some

specific functions.

• Found only in the plant cell.

• Freely permeable
• Composed of cellulose
• Gives rigidity
Cell Wall

• Outermost layer of animal cells

• Selectively permeable
• Regulates entry of solutes and ion
Cell Membrane • Maintains shape of animal cells
 • Colourless, partly transparent
semiliquid substance present
between cell membrane and nucleus.
• Serves as the medium within which all
Cytoplasm cellular biochemical reactions occur.

• Minute double-walled bags with their

inner walls folded into finger-like
projections called cristae
• Sites of cellular respiration
• Energy synthesised is stored in the
form of ATP
Mitochondria
• Known as the “power house of cell”

• Single walled, dense, spherical

bodies, composed mainly of RNA
• Either found attached to ER or are
found freely in the cytoplasm
Ribosomes • Synthesise proteins

• Stack of flattened membranous sacs

(Dictyosomes in plant cells)
• Has cisternae, vesicles and tubules
• Synthesises and secrete enzymes, etc.
Golgi Bodies Forms acrosome in sperms.
 • Complex network of tubular
membranes

• Rough E.R has ribosomes attached on

its outer surface; synthesises and
secretes proteins

Endoplasmic • Smooth E.R does not have any

Reticulum ribosomes; transports the products of
rough ER to other cellular organelles

• Budded off from Golgi bodies, contain

around 40 hydrolytic enzymes
• Also called as “suicide bags” of cells
• Functions: Breakdown of
macromolecules, waste removal,
Lysosomes destruction of foreign substances

• Double membrane structure found

only in plants cells
• Depending upon the type of
pigment (or lack thereof) they are
classified as leucoplasts
(colourless), chromoplasts (yellow,
Plastids
orange, red), chloroplasts (green).
 • Clear spaces in cytoplasm that are
surrounded by a tonoplast.
• Stores water, food and other waste
substances and provides turgidity to
Vacuoles maintain the shape of plant cells

• Largest organelle of the cell

• Controls and coordinates important
cellular activities such as protein
synthesis, cell division, growth, etc.
Nucleus

• Considered as the brain of the

nucleus.
• Produces ribosomes and dictates
ribosomes to make proteins
• Forms and stores RNA
Nucleolus

• Present only in animals cells

• Consists 1 or 2 centrioles
• Surrounded by microtubules, initiates
cell division
Centrosome • Formation of spindle fibres.
 4. Difference between Plant Cell
and Animal Cell

Plant Cell Animal Cell

Definite cell wall, made up

No cell wall
of cellulose

Centrosome is absent Centrosome is present

Vacuoles prominent, one

Vacuoles, if any, are small
or more concerned with
and temporary
excretion or secretion

Contain plastids Do not contain plastids

Usually larger, with distinct Usually smaller, with less

outlines distinct boundaries

Cytoplasm not so dense Cytoplasm denser and

more granular

Only a thin lining of

Cytoplasm fills almost the
cytoplasm mostly pushed
entire cell
to the periphery
 5. Difference between
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

Nucleus is not well defined Well defined nucleus with

(nucleoid) a nuclear membrane

Several lengths of genetic

Single length of only DNA material (chromosomes)
containing DNA wound
around certain proteins

Smaller ribosomes Larger ribosomes

Several organelles like

No other cell organelles mitochondria, endoplasmic
reticulum, chloroplasts, etc.
Examples:- Euglena,
Examples:- Bacteria, Blue
Amoeba and all plants and
green algae
animals
Mind Map
Cell: The
Unit of Life Cell
Organelles

Cell Wall Plastids

Cell Membrane Vacuoles

Introduction
to Cells Cytoplasm Centrosome

Mitochondria Golgi bodies

Nucleus Ribosomes
Endoplasmic
Cell Theory Lysosomes
Reticulum

Functions of Cell Based on Shape

Based on Size
Types of Cell
Based on
Discoveries Number
related to Cells Plant and Animal
Cells
Diversity of Cells Prokaryotic and
Eukaryotic Cells