Cell

What is a cell?
 “A cell is defined as the smallest, basic unit of life that is responsible for all
of life’s processes.”
 Cells are the basic, fundamental unit of life. So, if we were to break apart an
organism to the cellular level, the smallest independent component that we
would find would be the cell.
 Cells are the structural, functional, and biological units of all living beings. A
cell can replicate itself independently. Hence, they are known as the building
blocks of life.
 Each cell contains a fluid called the cytoplasm, which is enclosed by a
membrane. Also present in the cytoplasm are several biomolecules like
proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Moreover, cellular structures called cell
organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm.
 What is a cell?
 A cell is the structural and fundamental unit of
life. The study of cells from its basic structure
to the functions of every cell organelle is called
Cell Biology. Robert Hooke was the first
Biologist who discovered cells.
 All organisms are made up of cells. They may
be made up of a single cell (unicellular), or
many cells (multicellular). Mycoplasmas are
the smallest known cells. Cells are the building
blocks of all living beings. They provide
structure to the body and convert the nutrients
taken from the food into energy.
 What is a cell?
 Cells are complex and their components perform various functions in an organism. They
are of different shapes and sizes, pretty much like bricks of the buildings. Our body is
made up of cells of different shapes and sizes.
 Cells are the lowest level of organization in every life form.
From organism to organism,
the count of cells may vary.
Humans have more number
of cells compared to that of bacteria.
 Cells comprise several cell organelles
that perform specialised functions to carry
out life processes. Every organelle has a
specific structure. The hereditary material
of the organisms is also present in the cells.
 Scientist Discovery
Robert Hooke Discovered cells
Anton Van Leuwenhoek Discovered protozoa and bacteria
Robert Brown Discovered cell nucleus
Albert Von Kolliker Discovered mitochondria
Schleiden and Schwann Proposed cell theory

Evans and Kauffman Discovered Embryonic Stem Cells from mice

Discovered Embryonic Stem Cells from

James Thomson
humans
Camillo Golgi Golgi apparatus
Joseph Beinaime Caventou and Pierre Joseph
Discovered chlorophyll
Pelletier
 Characteristics of Cells
Following are the various essential characteristics of cells:
 Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.
 The cell interior is organised into different individual organelles surrounded
by a separate membrane.
 The nucleus (major organelle) holds genetic information necessary for
reproduction and cell growth.
 Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm.
 Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly responsible for
the energy transactions vital for the survival of the cell.
 Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
 Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal organisation of
the cell by synthesising selective molecules and processing, directing and
sorting them to their appropriate locations.
 Parts
of a
Cell

Types of Cells
Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and
departments that work towards a common objective. Various
types of cells perform different functions. Based on cellular
structure, there are two types of cells:
• Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotes
 What is a Prokaryotic Cell?
 Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms known to be the
earliest on earth. Prokaryotes include Bacteria and Archaea. The
photosynthetic prokaryotes include cyanobacteria that perform
photosynthesis.
 A prokaryotic cell consists of a single membrane and therefore, all the
reactions occur within the cytoplasm. They can be free-living or
parasites.
 “Prokaryotic cells are the cells that do not have a true nucleus and
membrane-bound organelles.”
 Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cell
Prokaryotic cells have different characteristic features. The characteristics of
the prokaryotic cells are mentioned below.
1. They lack a nuclear membrane.
2. Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast, and lysosomes are absent.
3. The genetic material is present on a single chromosome.
4. The histone proteins, the important constituents of eukaryotic
chromosomes, are lacking in them.
5. The cell wall is made up of carbohydrates and amino acids.
6. The plasma membrane acts as the mitochondrial membrane carrying
respiratory enzymes.
7. They divide asexually by binary fission. The sexual mode of reproduction
involves conjugation.
 Prokaryotic Cell Structure
A prokaryotic cell does not have a nuclear membrane. However, the
genetic material is present in a region in the cytoplasm known as the
nucleoid. They may be spherical, rod-shaped, or spiral. A prokaryotic
cell structure is as follows:
1.Capsule– It is an outer protective covering found in the bacterial
cells, in addition to the cell wall. It helps in moisture retention,
protects the cell when engulfed, and helps in the attachment of cells
to nutrients and surfaces.
2.Cell Wall– It is the outermost layer of the cell which gives shape to
the cell.
3.Cytoplasm– The cytoplasm is mainly composed of enzymes, salts,
cell organelles and is a gel-like component.
5. Cell Membrane– This layer surrounds the cytoplasm and
regulates the entry and exit of substances in the cells.
6. Pili– These are hair-like outgrowths that attach to the surface of
other bacterial cells.
7. Flagella– These are long structures in the form of a whip, that
help in the locomotion of a cell.
8. Ribosomes– These are involved in protein synthesis.
9. Plasmids– Plasmids are non-chromosomal DNA structures.
These are not involved in reproduction.
10.Nucleoid Region– It is the region in the cytoplasm where the
genetic material is present.
A prokaryotic cell lacks certain organelles like mitochondria,
endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies.
 What is a Eukaryotic Cell?
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus enclosed within the nuclear
membrane and form large and complex organisms.
Protozoa, fungi, plants, and animals all have eukaryotic cells.
They are classified under the kingdom Eukaryota.
They can maintain different environments in a single cell that
allows them to carry out various metabolic reactions.
This helps them grow many times larger than the prokaryotic
cells.
1. Eukaryotic cells are characterised by a true nucleus.
2. The size of the cells ranges between 10–100 µm in diameter.
3. This broad category involves plants, fungi, protozoans, and
animals.
4. The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring the
transport of nutrients and electrolytes in and out of the cells. It
is also responsible for cell to cell communication.
5. They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.
6. There are some contrasting features between plant and animal
cells. For eg., the plant cell contains chloroplast, central
vacuoles, and other plastids, whereas the animal cells do not.
 Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells
The features of eukaryotic cells are as follows:
1. Eukaryotic cells have the nucleus enclosed within the nuclear
membrane.
2. The cell has mitochondria.
3. Flagella and cilia are the locomotory organs in a eukaryotic cell.
4. A cell wall is the outermost layer of the eukaryotic cells.
5. The cells divide by a process called mitosis.
6. The eukaryotic cells contain a cytoskeletal structure.
7. The nucleus contains a single, linear DNA, which carries all the
genetic information.
 Plasma Membrane
 The plasma membrane separates the cell from the outside environment.
 It comprises specific embedded proteins, which help in the exchange of
substances in and out of the cell.
Cell Wall
 A cell wall is a rigid structure present outside the plant cell. It is, however,
absent in animal cells.
 It provides shape to the cell and helps in cell-to-cell interaction.
 It is a protective layer that protects the cell from any injury or pathogen
attacks.
 It is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, proteins, etc.
 Cytoskeleton
 The cytoskeleton is present inside the cytoplasm, which consists of
microfilaments, microtubules, and fibres to provide perfect shape to the
cell, anchor the organelles, and stimulate the cell movement.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
It is a network of small, tubular structures that divides the cell surface into
two parts: luminal and extraluminal.
Endoplasmic Reticulum is of two types:
 Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum contains ribosomes.
 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum that lacks ribosomes and is therefore
smooth.
 Nucleus
 The nucleoplasm enclosed within the nucleus contains DNA and proteins.
 The nuclear envelop consists of two layers- the outer membrane and the inner
membrane. Both the membranes are permeable to ions, molecules, and RNA
material.
 Ribosome production also takes place inside the nucleus.
Golgi Apparatus
 It is made up of flat disc-shaped structures called cisternae.
 It is absent in red blood cells of humans and sieve cells of plants.
 They are arranged parallel and concentrically near the nucleus.
 It is an important site for the formation of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Ribosomes
 These are the main site for protein synthesis and are composed of proteins and
ribonucleic acids.
 Mitochondria
 These are also known as “powerhouse of cells” because they produce energy.
 It consists of an outer membrane and an inner membrane. The inner membrane is
divided into folds called cristae.
 They help in the regulation of cell metabolism.
Lysosomes
 They are known as “suicidal bags” because they possess hydrolytic enzymes to
digest protein, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
Plastids
These are double-membraned structures and are found only in plant cells. These are
of three types:
 Chloroplast that contains chlorophyll and is involved in photosynthesis.
 Chromoplast that contains a pigment called carotene that provides the plants
yellow, red, or orange colours.
 Leucoplasts that are colourless and store oil, fats, carbohydrates, or proteins.
 Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Type of Cell Always unicellular Unicellular and multi-cellular

Ranges in size from 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm in Size ranges from 10 μm – 100 μm in

Cell size
diameter diameter

Usually present; chemically complex in

Cell wall When present, chemically simple in nature
nature

Absent. Instead, they have a nucleoid

Nucleus Present
region in the cell

Present. Smaller in size and spherical in Present. Comparatively larger in size and
Ribosomes
shape linear in shape
DNA arrangement Circular Linear
Mitochondria Absent Present

Cytoplasm Present, but cell organelles absent Present, cell organelles present
Endoplasmic reticulum Absent Present

Plasmids Present Very rarely found in eukaryotes

Ribosome Small ribosomes Large ribosomes

Lysosome Lysosomes and centrosomes are absent Lysosomes and centrosomes are present

Cell division Through binary fission Through mitosis

Flagella The flagella are smaller in size The flagella are larger in size

Reproduction Asexual Both asexual and sexual

Example Bacteria and Archaea Plant and Animal cell