The Fundamental Unit Of Life Fully Explained

Life, as we know it, took billions of years to evolve. From the very first precursor of life to the multitude of multicellular organisms that we see around us today, the most basic unit of all these is the cell.

All About Cells

Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of life. The cell was discovered by Robert Hooke. A number of cells can work together to form Tissues and organs.

Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration is the process by which food releases energy in the mitochondria. Cells absorb glucose from food and burn it to produce energy.

Structural Organization of Cells

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells

Two types of cells – Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are primitive and lack a well-defined nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are more advanced and have a well-defined nucleus.

Cell Structure in Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells have the most well-defined structure. These cells have cell membranes, membrane-bound cell organelles and a well-defined nucleus. The nucleus has its own membrane called the nuclear membrane.

Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell.
It is made up of a phospholipid bilayer membrane.
It is selectively permeable in nature.
The structure of a cell membrane is best described by the fluid mosaic model.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration is known as diffusion. E.g. carbon dioxide and oxygen move across the cell membrane by diffusion

Osmosis in Selectively Permeable Membrane

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. Osmosis is a selective process since the membrane does not allow all molecules to pass through it. Water is usually the only free-flowing molecule across this membrane.

Isotonic, Hypotonic, and Hypertonic Solutions

Isotonic solutions are those which have the same solute and pH concentration as the surrounding body fluid or the cytoplasm.
Hypotonic solutions contain a lesser amount of solute concentration compared to the surrounding fluid and can force the cell to rupture due to excess input of water into the cell.
Hypertonic solutions contain a higher concentration of solute compared to the surrounding fluid and thus push water out of the cell, shrinking it.

Cell Walls in Plants

Plant cells are different from animal cells due to the presence of a cell wall. The cell wall is made of cellulose and gives a rigid structure to the plant cell. It provides structural support to plants. Due to cell walls, cells of plants, fungi and bacteria can withstand greater changes in surrounding conditions than animal cells. E.g. Cell wall enables the cells to withstand hypotonic solution without bursting.

Cell Organelles

Eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles that carry out various functions in the cell, e.g. Nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, Lysosomes, etc.

Endocytosis

Endocytosis is the invagination of the cell membrane, followed by pinching off, forming a membrane-bound vesicle. This is commonly seen in Amoeba.

Nucleus in Cells

The nucleus is the processing unit of the cell. It is a double membrane-bound organelle which contains the genetic material for inheritance. The nuclear membrane contains pores that allow the transfer of materials from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The nucleus is the brain of the cell as it controls various functions such as cell division, reproduction, inheritance, etc. The nucleus contains genetic material, i.e. chromosomes that contain DNA. DNA carries information for inheritance from parents to offspring. Prokaryotes lack a well-defined nucleus, and the genetic material is present in a region known as the nucleoid.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes are the genetic material present in the nucleus. It contains DNA with associated proteins. They are present as threads called chromatin. During the growth phase of the cell, the chromatin condenses into a much thicker structure called a chromosome. Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes (46).

Chromatin

Chromatin is a thread-like structure which serves as the genetic material present inside the nucleus of the cell. It is made up of DNA and protein molecules. DNA contains the hereditary information needed for the structure and function of the organism.

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the fluid found inside the cell. It gives the structure to the cell and houses different organelles of the cell.

Organelles

Organelles are structures present in the cytoplasm of the cell that helps in several functions of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane-bound cell organelle that plays an integral role in the interpretation of the genetic information present in the nucleus.

Rough ER

Rough ER is the one that has ribosomes on them. The ribosome is made up of nucleic acids and proteins. They are the site of protein synthesis. The Rough ER is also involved in the modification and folding of proteins.

Smooth ER

Smooth ER does not have ribosomes and thus is not involved in protein synthesis. They are, however, involved in lipid metabolism and detoxifying of poisonous molecules.

Golgi Apparatus

Golgi Apparatus is also called the post office of the cell. They package and transport the proteins across the cytoplasm.

Lysosomes

They are referred to as suicide bags of the cell as they contain potent enzymes that can digest a cell. Lysosomes also help in defence by attacking a foreign object.

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are also called the powerhouse of a cell. They generate ATP via the electron transport chain. They also have a DNA called mtDNA, which makes them a semi-autonomous organelle. Mitochondria can make their own proteins.

Plastids

There are various types of plastids in different cells based on the pigment they contain. The chloroplast is the plastid where photosynthesis occurs, they contain chlorophyll. Some of the other plastids are leucoplast and chromoplast. Leucoplasts store starch, oil and protein granules. Chloroplasts contain membranes known as thylakoids embedded in the stroma. Plastids also contain their own DNA and ribosomes.

Vacuoles

Vacuoles are large vesicles that hold water or air in them and give structural rigidity to the cell. Vacuoles are common in plant cells. In animals, the vacuoles are either very small or absent.

Comparison between Plant and Animal Cells

Plants cells are different from animal cells structurally. Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplast which are missing in animal cells. Plants cells also have large vacuoles, which are either very small or missing in animal cells. The nucleus is present at the centre of the cell in animal cells and at the periphery in plant cells.