Basic structural and functional units of living organisms”.

The classical branch of biology that deals with the study of structure, function and life history of a cell is called
“Cell Biology”

CELL WALL:
It is an outer-rigid protective covering of plant cells made up of cellulose.
It is involved in the transport or movement of materials in and out of the cell.
It maintains the shape of the plant cell.
It protects the internal organelles from external injuries

PLASMA MEMBRANE:-
It is the semi – permeable outer covering of most of the animal cells
It consists of outer and inner layers of proteins and a middle layer of lipids.
It regulates flow of selected materials into and out of the cell, so it is called selectively permeable membrane.
It provides the mechanical support and external frame to the protoplasm (cytoplasm + nucleus).

CYTOPLASM:-
The space between the plasma-membrane and the nucleus is filled by jelly like fluid made up of organic and in
organic substance. The liquid found inside cells is known as cytosol.
It helps in exchange of materials between different cell organelles.
Breaking down of glucose (glycolysis) takes place in the cytoplasm.

NUCLEUS:-
It is a spherical body lies inside the cell.
It controls all activities within cell.
It has a double layered permeable covering called nuclear membrane.
The nucleus contains chromosomes, which are visible as rod-shaped structures only when the cell is about to
divide.
Chromosomes contain parental information in the form of DNA. Functional segments of DNA are called genes
In a cell which is not dividing, this DNA is present as part of chromatin material. Chromatin material is visible
as entangled mass of thread like structures. Whenever the cell is about to divide, the chromatin material gets
organized into chromosomes
The nucleoli present in the nucleus helps in the formation of Ribosomes.

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (E.R):

It was discovered and named so by Porter.

Endoplasmic reticulum is interconnected system of tubes that transport various substances among cell
organelles.
At places it is connected with the Plasma membrane as well as with the nuclear envelope.
Endoplasmic reticulum is of two main types- smooth ER and rough ER.

Rough ER is called rough because it has Ribosomes attached to its surface. Protein molecules are synthesized
by Ribosomes and collected and are pinched off in vesicles. The vesicles often move to the Golgi apparatus for
additional protein packaging and distribution.

Smooth ER (SER) acts as a storage organelle. It is important in the creation and storage of lipids and steroids.
Steroids are a type of ringed organic molecule used for building the muscle
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

What are cell organelles?

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.

What is cellulose and its functions?

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.

What is a Prokaryotic cell? Give an Example.

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.

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.

 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.

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.

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

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

What do you 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
 They remove cellular debris.

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.

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.

All cells come from pre-existing cells. Justify?

All organisms around are made up of cells. There are single cells organism called unicellular like amoeba
where as some single body are made up of many cells called multi-cellular organism. Cells divide to produce
cells of their own kind. Hence, all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Why is the cell known the 'fundamental and structural unit of life
Cell is called as the structural and functional unit of the living organism because it the smallest living entity that
is capable of an independent existence. Separated cell organelles cannot be said to be living and are not capable
of independent existence.

What is a semi permeable membrane? What are the differences between semi permeable membrane and
selectively permeable membrane?
A semi permeable membrane is a membrane that allows only the entry of substances that are helpful for the
body. a semi permeable membrane is also called a selectively permeable membrane.

Which cell in the human body does not have the mitochondria?
Mature erythrocytes don't have mitochondria

What are plastids? Write their functions?

Plastids are double membrane organelles which are found in plant cells only.
 Functions: 1. By trapping solar energy, green plastids manufacture food through photosynthesis
2. Chloroplasts provide colored to various flowering parts.
3. Leucoplasts help in storage of protein, starch and oil

Differentiate between SER and RER

Rough endoplasmic reticulum[RER] has ribosomes attached to it giving a rough appearance thereby deriving
its name.

RER- involved in protein synthesis as ribosomes are concerned with protein synthesis.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum [SER] is devoid of ribosomes.

SER-concerned with lipid synthesis in intestinal cells and with steroid formation in adrenals

What is the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
They are mainly unicellular They are mainly multicellular except for protista
They have only a few organelles Many organelles
DNA is circular DNA is linear
DNA lies in the cytoplasm (Nucleus absent) DNA is inside the nucleus
Cell division occurs mostly through binary fission Mitosis, meiosis or both take place.

What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion.

Osmosis Diffusion
It is the movement of water. It is the movement of solute particle.
Membrane is required Membrane is not required.
Movement from low concentration to high Movement from high concentration to low
concentration of solute. concentration of solute.
It is associated with liquids. It is associated with both liquid and gases

Differentiate Between : Plant cell and animal cell

Ans: Plant cell

) have chloroplasts and use photosynthesis to produce food.

b) have cell wall made of cellulose.
) A plant cell has plasmodesmata - microscopic channels which traverse the cell walls of the cells.
d) one very large vacuole in the center.
) are rectangular in shape.

Animal cell

) don 't have chloroplast.

b) no cell wall (only cell membrane).
) No plasmodesmata.
d) one small vacuole.
) either circular, irregular or defined shapes depending on the type of cell.

Where are peroxisomes found ?

Ans: Peroxisomes are small, living, membrane bound, sac like cell organelle found in photosynthetically active
cells of plants, liver and kidneys. These are meant for removing toxic substances from the cell by oxidative
reactions. These are also involved in photorespiration in plants.

What are the chemical reactions take place in cytoplasm, nucleoplasm, and in mitochondria?
1. Cytoplasm- Reactions of glycolysis.
2. Mitochondria- Reactions of Kreb's cycle.
3. Nucleoplasm- Reactions involving formation of RNA.

What is Diffusion?

Diffusion is a spontaneous movement in which a substance moves from its region of higher concentration to the
region of lower concentration. For example, in the case of a perfume, it moves from the region of higher
concentration to lower concentration. So, it is a type of diffusion.

What is dictyosomes ?

Dictyosomes are membranous or vesicular structures making up the Golgi apparatus. They together with golgi
vesicles form the golgi apparatus .

What would happen if an animal cell is kept in distilled water for 24 hours.
When a animal cell is kept in distilled water for a long time, as there is higher concentration of water in the
solution (i.e. Hypotonic), the water will move in to the cell by the process of endosmosis, which will cause
swelling of the cell. After the maximum amount of water enters the cell, the cell bursts as it no longer can
absorb water.

Why do cells have different shapes? Give an example to support your answer.
Cells have different shapes to perform different functions. Example: Nerve cells are long and branched to carry signals
from one part of the body to other and white blood cells are irregular in shape in order to engulf the pathogens in the
body.

A cell placed in a solution swells up. What kind of solution is it? Why does it happen?
It is a hypotonic sol ution & water enters the cell by endosmosis causing the cell to swell up.

Why are lysosomes known as “suicidal bags”?

They secrete powerful digestive enzymes to digest the worn out and damaged cell
organelles as well as the cell itself when it loses its functional ability.

What are plastids? Write their functions?

Plastids are double membrane organelles which are found in plant cells only.

Functions:
1. By trapping solar energy, green plastids manufacture food through photosynthesis
2. Chloroplasts provide colored to various flowering parts.
3. Leucoplasts help in storage of protein, starch and oil

Why is the nucleus so significant in a cell?

Nucleus has the following important functions-
(i) It controls all cell activities
(ii) It contains hereditary material that transmits hereditary information from one generation to the next
(iii) It helps in cell division

Differentiate between plant and animal cells.

1. PLANT CELL
1- Surrounded by two membranes- cell wall & cell membrane.
2- Possess three types of plastids chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts.
3- Do not possess lysosomes.
4- Nucleus is towards the periphery.
5- Centrioles are absent

ANIMAL CELL

1- Surrounded only by cell / plasma membrane.

2-Do not possess plastids.
3-Possess lysosomes
4-Nucleus is in the center ..
5-Centrioles present & help in cell division.

8. Give the major functions of the following cell organelles-

(a) Endoplasmic reticulum

RER-- Synthesis of proteins as it has ribosomes attached to it

SER- Synthesis of lipids required for making cell membrane

(b) Golgi apparatus-----------Storage & packaging of various products.

(c) Mitochondria------Production of ATP(Adenosine Triphosphate) which is a source of energy.

(d) Ribosomes---Protein synthesis

(e) Golgi Apparatus----Storage & packaging of various products.

f) Lysosomes----Digestion of worn out & damaged organelles

Why is the cell known the 'fundamental and structural unit of life '

Cell is called as the structural and functional unit of the living organism because it the smallest living entity that
is capable of an independent existence. Separated cell organelles cannot be said to be living and are not capable
of independent existence.

What is a semi permeable membrane? How are membranes classified according to their permeability?

Membranes can be classified as impermeable, permeable, semipermeable or selectively permeable.

An impermeable membrane is one through which no substance can pass.

Semipermeable membranes are those which only let solvents, such as water, pass through them.

Permeable membranes are those which let solvents and solutes, such as ions and molecules, to pass through
them.

Selectively permeable membranes, which are membranes that, in addition to allowing the passage of solvents,
let specific solutes pass through while blocking others.

How is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?

Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell

Most prokaryotes are unicellular. Most eukaryotes are multicellular.

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

Nuclear region is poorly defined due to the Nuclear region is well-defined and is surrounded by a
absence of a nuclear membrane or the cell lacks nuclear membrane, or true nucleus bound by a nuclear
true nucleus. 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 plastids, Cell organelles such as mitochondria, plastids,
mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, etc.
apparatus, etc. are absent. are present.

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

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

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.

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.

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).

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.
 CBSE CLASS 9

Q.)How is cytoplasm different from

nucleoplasm?
(Ans) CYTOPLASM NUCLEOPLASM
1. It encloses nucleus and itself is bounded by cell 1.It is the space within the nuclear envelop
membrane.
2. It contains cell organelles and cell inclusions. 2. It has transparent semi solid, granular
substance or matrix called the Nucleoplasm.

1. Fill in the blanks:-

(a) New cells are formed from pre-existing cells.

(b) Movement of water molecules from their higher concentration to their lower
concentration through a semi- permeable membrane is called Osmosis.

(c) The functional components of cell are plasma membrane, cytoplasm & nucleus.

(d) Protoplasm has two parts- cytoplasm & nucleoplasm.

(e) Nucleus, mitochondria & plastids have their own DNA & ribosomes.

(f) The shrinkage or contraction of the contents of the cell away from the cell wall is known as
plasmolysis.

(g) The process by which Amoeba can engulf a food particle is endocytosis.

(h) Biogenesis is the manufacture of lipids required for making cell membrane.

(i) A cell that lacks nuclear membrane is called a prokaryotic cell & the nuclear region is called
nucleoid.

(j) Movement of materials in & out of the cell takes place by diffusion & osmosis.

What is the advantage of multicellularity over unicellularity?

Division of labour.

What are the chromosomes made up of?

DNA & proteins

Which cell in the human body does not have the mitochondria?
Mature erythrocytes don't have mitochondria

Which structure of animal cells forms the asters of spindle ?

Centrioles.

CELLS (IISDSG) Page 11

 CBSE CLASS 9

Name two semi- autonomous organelles?

Chloroplast and mitochondria

Which cell organelle is rich in acid hydrolases?

Lysomes are loaded with acid hydrolases

Which cell organelles are called ribonucleoprotine particle?

Ribosome.

CELLS (IISDSG) Page 12