CELLS

1. Who discovered cells and how?

An English Botanist, Robert Hooke discovered cells. In 1665, he used self-designed microscope
to observe cells in a cork slice.

2. Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit of life?
Cells are called the structural and functional unit of life because all the living organisms are
made up of cells and also all the functions taking place inside the body of organisms are
performed by cells.

1. How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell? Discuss.
The substances like CO2and water move in and out of a cell by diffusion from the region of high
concentration to low concentration.
When the concentration of CO2and water is higher in external environment than that inside the
cell, CO2and water moves inside the cell. When the concentration outside the cell becomes low
and it is high inside the cell, they moves out.

2. Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane?

Plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane because it regulates the movement
of substances in and out of the cell. This means that the plasma membrane allows the entry of
only some substances and prevents the movement of some other materials.

1. Fill in the gaps in the following table illustrating differences between prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell

1. Size: generally small ( 1-10 µm) 1 µm== 10- 1. Size: generally large (5-100 µm)
6
m

2. Nuclear region: poorly defined because of the 2. Nuclear region: well-defined and
absence of a nuclear membrane, and is known surrounded by a nuclear membrane
as nucleoid

3. Chromosome: single 3. More than one chromosome

4. Membrane-bound cell organelles are absent 4. Membrane-bound cell organelles such

as mitochondria, plastids, etc., are

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 present

1. Can you name the two organelles we have studied that contain their own genetic
material?
Mitochondria and plastids

2. If the organisation of a cell is destroyed due to some physical or chemical influence, what
will happen?
If the organisation of a cell is destroyed due to some physical or chemical influence then cell will
not be able to perform the basic functions like respiration, nutrition, excretion etc. This may stop
all the life activities and may result in its death.

3. Why are lysosomes known as suicide bags?

Lysosomes are called suicide bags because in case of disturbance of their cellular metabolism
they digest their own cell by releasing own enzymes.

4. Where are proteins synthesized inside the cell?

The proteins are synthesized in the Ribosome inside the cell.

1. Make a comparison and write down ways in which plant cells are different from animal
cells.

Animal cell Plant cell

The do not have cell wall. They have cell wall made up of cellulose.

They do not have chloroplast. They contain chloroplast.

They have centrosome. They do not have centrosome.

Vacuoles are smaller in size. Vacuoles are larger in size.

Lysosomes are larger in number. Lysosomes are absent or very few in number

Prominent Golgi bodies are Subunits of Golgi bodies known as dictyosomes are
present. present.

2. How is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?

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Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell

Most prokaryotes are unicellular. Most eukaryotes are multicellular.

Size of the cell is generally small (0.5- 5 Size of the cell is generally large (50- 100 µm).
µm).

Nuclear region is poorly defined due to the Nuclear region is well-defined and is surrounded
absence of a nuclear membrane or the cell by a nuclear membrane, or true nucleus bound by
lacks true nucleus. a nuclear membrane is present in the cell.

It contains a single chromosome. It contains more than one chromosome.

Nucleolus is absent. Nucleolus is present.

Membrane-bound cell organelles such as Cell organelles such as mitochondria, plastids,

plastids, mitochondria, endoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus,
reticulum, Golgi apparatus, etc. are absent. lysosomes, etc. are present.

Cell division occurs through binary fission Cell division occurs by mitosis.

Prokaryotic cells are found in bacteria and Eukaryotic cells are found in fungi, plants, and
blue-green algae. animal cells.

3. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down?

If the plasma membrane ruptures or breakdown then the cell will not be able to exchange
material from its surrounding by diffusion or osmosis. Thereafter the protoplasmic material will
be disappeared and the cell will die.

4. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no Golgi apparatus?

Golgi apparatus has the function of storage modification and packaging of the products. If there
is no Golgi apparatus then the packaging and transporting of materials synthesized by cell will
not happen.

5. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of cells because energy required for various
chemical activities needed for life is released by mitochondria in the form of ATP (Adenosine
triphosphate) molecules.

6. Where do the lipids and proteins constituting the cell membrane get synthesized?
Lipids are synthesized in Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and the proteins are synthesized
in rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).
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7. How does an Amoeba obtain its food?

Amoeba takes in food using temporary finger-like extensions of the cell surface which fuse over
the food particle forming a food-vacuole as shown in figure. Inside the food vacuole, complex
substances are broken down into simpler ones which then diffuse into the cytoplasm. The
remaining undigested material is moved to the surface of the cell and thrown out.

8. What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the process in which water molecules moves from the region of high concentration to
a region of low concentration through a semi permeable membrane.

9. Carry out the following osmosis experiment:

Take four peeled potato halves and scoop each one out to make potato cups. One of these
potato cups should be made from a boiled potato. Put each potato cup in a trough
containing water. Now,
(a) Keep cup A empty
(b) Put one teaspoon sugar in cup B
(c) Put one teaspoon salt in cup C
(d) Put one teaspoon sugar in the boiled potato cup D.

Keep these for two hours. Then observe the four potato cups and answer the following:
(i) Explain why water gathers in the hollowed portion of B and C.
(ii) Why is potato A necessary for this experiment?
(iii) Explain why water does not gather in the hollowed out portions of A and D.

(i) Water gathers in the hollowed portions of set-up B and C because water enters the potato as a
result of osmosis. Since the medium surrounding the cell has a higher water concentration than
the cell, the water moves inside by osmosis. Hence, water gathers in the hollowed portions of the
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potato cup.

(ii) Potato A in the experiment acts as a control set-up. No water gathers in the hollowed portions
of potato A.

(iii) Water does not gather in the hollowed portions of potato A because potato cup A is empty. It
is a control set-up in the experiment.
Water is not able to enter potato D because the potato used here is boiled. Boiling denatures the
proteins present in the cell membrane and thus, disrupts the cell membrane. For osmosis, a semi-
permeable membrane is required, which is disrupted in this case. Therefore, osmosis will not
occur. Hence, water does not enter the boiled potato cup.

1. What is plasma membrane? What are their functions?

 Plasma membrane also called as cell membrane, is the outer covering of a cell that
separates the cell contents (protoplasm) from the surrounding medium.
 It is made up of proteins and lipids.
 It gives form (shape and size) to the cell
 It maintains the individuality of the cell (i.e. seperates cells)
 It keeps the cell contents in place
2. What are cell organelles?

Ans: The certain specific living parts of a cell with a definite function are celled Cell organelles.
All cell are found to have same organelles and together these constitute to the basic unit of life.

3. What is cellulose and its functions?

Ans: Cellulose is the main component of a plant cell wall. It is responsible for giving structural
shape to the cell and also to protect the protoplasm.

4. What is a Prokaryotic cell? Give an Example.

Ans: The cells that do not have a nuclear membrane and membrane bound cell organelles (i.e.
well-defined nucleus) are known as Prokaryotic Cells. Example:- Blue green
algae, Bacteria, Mycoplasma etc.

5. What are the advantages of multicellularity?

 The division of labour in a multicellular organism increases the efficiency of the

organism.
 It increases the Chance of survival.
6. What are vacuoles? What are their functions?

 Vacuoles are clear fluid/gas filled spaces in the cytoplasm.

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 In plant cells, it is larger and less in number as compared to the animal cells.
 Vacuoles help in the storage of water, food and other waste substances.
7. What is ER ? Name two types of ER. Write its main functions.

 Endoplasmic Reticulum or ER, is a network of tube like structures found in the

cytoplasm.
 The two types of ER are Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) and Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum (SER).
 It provides channel for quick transport of materials
 It provides materials (i.e. lipids and proteins) for membrane biogenesis.
8. Write the Function of Chromatin material.

The Chromatin material mainly consists of DNA’s, therefore plays an important role in storing
and transmittinghereditary information (DNA) from one generation to another.

9. Name a cell that lacks membrane. Where is it prepared?

Ans: Ribosomes is a cell organelle which lacks membrane and is prepared in the Nucleolus.

10. What is plasmolysis? What happens to a plasmolysed cell when it is placed in water ?

 The detachment of cell membrane of the plant cell from the cell wall when put in
Hypertonic Solution is known as Plasmolysis.
 The cell that has undergone plasmolysis i.e. plasmolysed cell when placed in water, the
water moves into the cell from the solution due to the higher concentration of water in the
solution (Endosmosis) and therefore the cell swells.

11. What do yo mean by nucleoid?

The undefined nuclear region of prokaryotic cells like blue green algae are known as nucleoid.
The nucleoid contains nucleic acid but does not have any membrane covering it.

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12. What are the factors which restrict the size of the cell?

The factors which restrict the size of the cell are:

 Functions of cell.
 Cell’s requirement of oxygen and other materials from the environment.
 Regulating ability of the nucleus of the cell.
13. Name the two nucleic acids present in the cell and their functions.

1. Ribose Nucleic Acid (RNA) – It helps in protein synthesis.

2. Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) – It stores heriditary information.
14. Give any two functions of plastids.

 Chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis and helps in preparing food (in case of plant
cells).
 Leucoplast are the site of storage of food.
 Chromoplast provide colour to various flowers and fruits.
15. Write down the main functions of cell wall.

 Cell wall provides shape as well as rigidity to the cell.

 It protects the protoplasm.
 It is involved in the movement of materials in and out of the cell.
 It prevents the cell from bursting even in very dilute solution.
16. Describe in short the chief components of a nucleus.

 Nucleoplasm – the semi-fluid part of protoplasm lying inside the nucleus, in which
nucleoli and Chromatin fibers are found.
 Nucleolus – a dense, spherical, darkly stained structure, which the site of formation and
store house of RNA’s.
 Nuclear Membrane- The membrane that bounds the nucleus, which semi-permeable,
double layered and porous.
17. What role does a nucleus play in cellular reproduction?

The nucleus plays the central role in the cell division/reproduction. Nucleus carry
the hereditary information and it divides to form two new cell by the process of cellular
reproduction. Apart from that, nucleus also plays a vital role in determining when the cell will
divide.

18. Write functions of lysosomes?

 They take part in intracellular digestion of foreign particles.

 They provide energy during starvation.
 They help in defence against bacterial and viral infections.

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 They remove cellular debris.
19. Define Osmosis. In what ways it is different from diffusion?

Diffusion

Diffusion is defined as the movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region
of low concentration.

Osmosis

Osmosis is defined as the passage of water from a region of high water concentration to a region
of low concentration through a Semi-permeable membrane.

20. Write one function each of – Ribosomes, Vacuole, Plasma Membrane

 Ribosomes : It helps in Protein Synthesis

 Vacuole : They help in the storage of water, food and other waste substances.
 Plasma Membrane : It regulates the flow materials in and out of the cell.

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