Cell - The Fundamental Unit of Life LESSON
Cell - The Fundamental Unit of Life LESSON
Total No of Sessions: 3
Session 1: Introduction to cell, Plasma membrane and
Cell wall
SESSION - I
TRY TO ANSWER
Epidermal
Cells
Who introduced cells to us?
What did he observe?
Cork cells
A book of illustrations
called Micrographia has
just been published by the
English natural
philosopher, Robert
Hooke. It was in his
description of cork that
he first used the term
"cell"
Why Call it a Cell?
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Three important
components of a cell
are:
Plasma membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
The Organization of a
Cell
Movement of cell membrane to
allow substances in and out
Cell membranes act as barriers to
most, but not all, molecules.
Development of a cell membrane that
could allow some materials to pass
while constraining the movement of
other molecules was a major step in
the evolution of the cell.
Cell membranes are differentially (or
semi-) permeable barriers separating
the inner cellular environment from
the outer cellular (or external)
environment.
Cells and Diffusion
Water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen are
among the few simple molecules that can
cross the cell membrane by diffusion .
Examples
• Gas exchange in gills and lungs.
• Carbon dioxide which is produced by all
cells as a result of cellular metabolic
processes
Osmosis
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semi-
permeable (or differentially permeable or selectively
permeable) membrane.
Solutions
Hypertonic solutions are those in which more
solute (and hence lower water potential) is
present.
Hypotonic solutions are those with less solute
(again read as higher water potential).
Isotonic solutions have equal (iso-)
concentrations of substances.
Water potentials are thus equal, although there
will still be equal amounts of water movement
in and out of the cell, the net flow is zero.
What happens to cell
when it is placed in
different kinds of
solutions ???
Animal cell in different kinds of solutions
Plant cell in different kinds of solutions
Hypotonic Solutions
• If the concentration of water outside the cell
is higher than the concentration of water
inside the cell the cell gains water by the
process of osmosis.
• Water can move into the cell from the cell
membrane. In the case of hypotonic solutions,
more amount of water enters the cells which
results in swelling of the cells.
Isotonic Solutions
• If the cells are put in an environment
which has similar concentration of water
as present inside. This state allows for the
free movement of water across the
membrane without changing
concentration of solutes on either side.
• Therefore, the size of the cell does not
vary in an isotonic solution because there
is no net movement of water.
Hypertonic Solutions
• If the cells are kept in an environment which
has lower concentration of water than what is
present inside the cells then due to the
process of osmosis water moves out of the
cells.
• This results in a decrease in size of the cells
(they shrink) as more amount of water comes
out of the cell.
Endocytosis
It is a process by which the plasma membrane
engulfs food and other materials inside the cell.
Cell Wall
outer, hard
covering of
the cell
which
maintains
the shape of
the cell.
• The cell
wall is
generally
made up of
cellulose.
What is Plasmolysis ?
OSMOSIS IN EGG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSS3EtKAzYc&t=3s
END OF SESSION - I
SESSION - II
NUCLEUS – BRAIN
OF THE CELL
The Nucleus
Nucleus is a
prominent,
organelle present
in cell which is the
controlling centre
of all activities of
cell.
More into the nucleus
The Structure of the Nucleus
• A nucleus has a nuclear membrane which covers it all
around.
• There are pores present on the nuclear membrane that
allow movement of substances in and out of the nucleus.
• There are chromosomes, rod-shaped structures present in
the nucleus which contain genetic information.
The chromosomes contain two types of things -
1. DNA - This is responsible for organizing and
constructing new cells
2. Proteins - These help in packaging and
condensation of DNA.
Chromatin
Chromatin is thread-like material present in a cell.
The chromatin organizes itself into chromosomes
whenever the cell is about to divide.
Nucleolus
It is called as the Brain of the Nucleus. It
comprises of 25% of the volume of the nucleus.
It consists of proteins and ribonucleic acids
(RNA). It helps in formation of ribosomes which
help in formation of proteins inside the cell.
NUCLEOID
What is a nucleoid?
Sometimes cells do not have a well-defined nucleus
because they lack a nuclear membrane. Such a
nucleus with no definite nuclear boundaries is called
a Nucleoid.
What are the prokaryotes?
Organisms whose cells do not have a well defined
nucleus are called Prokaryotes.
What are eukaryotes?
Organisms whose cells contain a well-defined
nucleus are called Eukaryotes.
PROKARYOTES
CHARACTERISTICS
OF PROKARYOTES
They are very small, smaller than bacteria
They cannot be seen under a compound microscope
They do not have a well defined nucleus
Their DNA is scattered in the cytoplasm and is called nucleoid.
They lack membrane bound organelles
Cytoplasm forms temporary structures to perform various functions
of the cell.
EUKARYOTIC CELL
Prokaryotes Vs Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
DNA is circular,
DNA is linear, found
Genetic information usually free-floating in
in nucleus
cytoplasm
Has nucleus and
membrane-bound
No nucleus or
organelles (ie:
Organelles membrane-bound
mitochondria,
organelles
chloroplasts, Golgi
body, ER)
Small (1-5 Larger (10-100
Size
micrometers) micrometers)
Animals, plants,
Organisms Bacteria/archaea
fungi, protists
Can be unicellular or
Cell structure Always unicellular
multicellular
CYTOPLASM
Cytoplasm
• The plasma membrane has a fluid like substance in it
which is called the cytoplasm.
• The cytoplasm contains several organelles that can
perform distinct functions of the cell
Functions of Cytoplasm
• It supports and suspends the cell organelles and
molecules.
• The cellular processes occur in cytoplasm such as
formation of proteins.
• It allows movement of substances in the cell such as
hormones.
• It dissolves cellular wastes.
WELCOME
TO THE
SESSION OF ORGANELLES
Endoplasmic Reticulum
(Cables of the cell)
• Network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm
of a eukaryotic cell.
Manufacture proteins
No attached ribosomes
Has enzymes that help build molecules Carbohydrates and lipids
Functions of ER
RER synthesizes proteins
SER produces lipids (fats)
Help in membrane biogenesis.
Some proteins and lipids function as enzymes and hormones.
Serves as channels of transport between various regions of the
cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
It provides the frame work for certain biochemical activities.
In the liver cells of vertebrates , it detoxifies the poisons and
drugs.
What may happen if ER does not
exist in the cell? ? ?
Functions
Aid in cell renewal
Digests invaders
RECAP
• Nucleus is the centrally located oval or spherical entity
which is responsible for cellular reproduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PqG6HDZxos&t=18s
END OF SESSION - 2
SESSION - 3
TRY TO ANSWER
1. which cell organelle is considered as
power house of the cell?
2. Can you say which organelle is nicknamed
as Kitchen of the cell?
3. Which cell organelle stores cell sap?
4. Which is the entity present in the cell often
compared to the brain of cell?
5. How does the living organisms divide?
Mitochondria
They are small rod-shaped organelles.
CRISTAE – INCREASE
SURFACE AREA FOR
RESPIRATION
Functions of mitochondria:
Break down fuel molecules (cellular respiration)
Glucose
Fatty acids
Release energy
PLASTIDS
PLASTIDS
CHROMOPLASTS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwAFZb8juMQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idBOLFoeoRo
END OF THE LESSON