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Lecture-5

Cells, Photosynthesis & Respiration

What is cell?
The cell is one of the most basic and smallest units of life.
In the body, there are brain cells, skin cells, liver cells, stomach
cells, and the list goes on. All of these cells have unique
functions and features. And all have some recognizable
similarities.

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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Below is a labeled diagram of


an animal cell

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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Important Parts of a Cell


Plasma membrane: All cells have a 'skin', called the plasma
membrane, protecting it from the outside environment. The cell
membrane regulates the movement of water, nutrients and
wastes into and out of the cell. All the working parts of the cell
are inside of the cell membrane. They are:

Nucleus: Nucleus is present at the center of the cell. It contains


the cell's DNA (the genetic code that coordinates protein
synthesis). The transcription phase of protein synthesis takes
places in the cell nucleus.
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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Important Parts of a Cell


Ribosome: One important cellular organelle is the ribosome. It
participates in protein synthesis. After transcription phase is
complete, RNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the cell's ribosome,
where translation occurs.
Mitochondrion: Another important cellular organelle is the
mitochondrion. Mitochondria are often referred to as the power
plants of the cell because many of the reactions that produce energy
take place in mitochondria.
Lysosome: Lysosomes are organelles that contain enzymes that
aid in the digestion of nutrient molecules and other materials.
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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Animal Cell vs Plant Cell


While both plant and animal cells contain the structures
discussed above, there are some differences between them.
Plant cells have some additional specialized structures.

Jan 11, 2015

Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Many animals have skeletons to give their body structure and


support. Plants do not have a skeleton for support. This is
because of a unique cellular structure called the cell wall. The
cell wall is a rigid structure outside of the cell membrane.
In addition, plant cells contain chloroplast that allows plants to
harvest energy from sunlight. Specialized pigments in the
chloroplast (chlorophyll) absorb sunlight and use this energy to
complete the chemical reaction:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy (from sunlight) C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Carbon dioxide + Water
Glucose + Oxygen

In this way, plant cells manufacture glucose and other


carbohydrates.
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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Some differences between animal and plant cells


Organonelles

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Shape

Round (irregular shape)

Rectangular (fixed shape)

Plasma membrane

only cell membrane

Cell wall

Absent

cell wall and a cell


membrane
Present

Vacuole

One or more small


vacuoles (much smaller
than plant cells).
Absent

One, large central vacuole


taking up 90% of cell
volume.
Present

Lysosomes occur in
cytoplasm.
Animal cells don't have
chloroplasts

Lysosomes usually not


evident.
Plant cells have
chloroplasts because they
make their own food

Plastids
Lysosomes
Chloroplast

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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Energy and Cell


All living organisms require energy to conduct
the many functions necessary to sustain life.
The source of this energy for cells is the
chemical bonds of food molecules.
Cells can be thought of as chemical factories
that conduct a variety of chemical reactions.

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Cell, Photosynthesis & Respiration

Photosynthesis and Respiration


The process of converting sunlight energy to chemical-bond energy
by the chloroplasts as sugar molecules is photosynthesis. It is one
of the major biochemical processes through which plants produce
food molecules such as carbohydrates for themselves as well as for
all the other organisms on earth.
On the other hand respiration, a second major biochemical process
made by mitochondria, during which cells release the chemical-bond
energy from food and supply to the cells into usable forms.
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy (from sunlight) C6H12O6 + 6 O2
C 6H12O6

6O2

6CO2

6H2O

36ATP

glucose

oxygen

carbon
dioxide

water

energy

Aerobic cellular respiration


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Photosynthesis
Occurs in the presence of light
(and chlorophyll in plant cells).
Requires energy (light) to make
sugar (glucose).
Complex substances (sugar) are
formed from simpler ones
(carbon dioxide and water).
Carbon dioxide and water are the
raw materials.
Oxygen is given out.
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Respiration
Occurs at all times in cells.
Releases energy from sugar.
Complex substances (sugar) are
broken down into simpler ones
(carbon dioxide and water).
Carbon dioxide and water are the
waste products.
Oxygen is taken in.

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Probable Questions:
1. What is cell? Name different important parts of a cell.
2. Draw the picture an animal cell and label different parts in it..
3. What are the differences between plant cell and animal cell?
4. Describe the functions of chloroplast, cell wall, ribosome,
mitochondrion etc.
5. Discuss the importance of photosynthesis and respiration.
6. Write the difference between photosynthesis and respiration at a
glance.

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