The Fundamental Unit of Life

1.Who discovered the cells first? Robert Hooke observed cells in a slice of cork in 1665. 2.Name unicellular organism. Ameoba, Chlamydomonas, Paramecium, Bacteria 3.Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit of life? A cell is able to live and perform all basic functions that are characteristic of all living forms. It is able to do this because of its organelles. All these organelles together constitute the basic unit called cell. 4.Which are the 3 functional regions (features) of the cell? Plasma membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. 5. What is diffusion? Ans. Diffusion is the spontaneous movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to region of low concentration. 6. What is Osmosis? Ans. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration through a semi permeable. 7. What is a hypotonic solution? Ans. If the medium surrounding a cell has high water concentration than the cell then the cell will gain water by osmosis. Such a solution is a hypotonic solution. 8. What is an isotonic solution? Ans. If the medium has exactly the same water concentration as the cell there will be no net movement of water molecules across the cell membrane. Such a solution is called isotonic solution. 9. What is a hypertonic solution? Ans. If the medium has a lower water concentration than the cell then the cell will lose water by osmosis. Such a solution is known as hypertonic solution. 10.What is endocytosis Flexibility of plasma membrane enables the cell to engulf in food and other materials from the environment. This process is called endocytosis. 11.How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell? Discuss. Gases like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell by diffusion. The concentration of CO2 inside the cell is more than the concentrations of CO2 in the external environment of the cell. So CO2 moves from a place of its high concentration to a place of its low concentration by the process diffusion. The movement of water also obeys laws of diffusion. The movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane is called OSMOSIS. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration through a semi permeable membrane.

12. Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane? The plasma membrane allows the entry and exit of some materials in and out of the cell. It prevents the movement of some other materials. Therefore, cell membrane is called a selectively preamble membrane. 13. What is Plasmolysis? When cell loses water through Osmosis there is shrinkage or contraction of contents of the cell away from the cell wall. This phenomenon is called Plasmolysis. 14. What are Chromosomes? Chromosomes are rod shaped structures visible only when the cell is about to divide. Chromosomes are composed of DNA and proteins. 15. What is DNA? What is its function? DNA is Dexoyribo Nucleic Acid DNA contains information for making and organizing the cell. DNA transmits hereditary information from generation to generation. Genes are segments of DNA. 16. What is the role of nucleus? Nucleus controls all the chemical activities of the cell. It plays a central role in cellular reproduction. 17. Write the differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Nuclear regions in prokaryotes are not surrounded by a nuclear membrane such an undefined nuclear region containing only nucleic acid is called a nucleoid. Prokaryotes do not have organelles, chlorophyll in photosynthetic bacteria (Prokaryotes) are not present in plastids. Eukaryotes have nucleus surrounded by nuclear membrane. Membrane bound all organelles are present in these cells. PROKARYOTES 1. Size generally small 2. Nuclear region not surrounded by nuclear membrane and known as Nucleoid 3. Single chromosome 4. Membrane bound cell organelles absent EUKARYOTES 1. Generally large 2. Nuclear region well defined and surrounded by a nuclear membrane. 3. More than one chromosome 4. Membrane bound cell organelles present 18.What are cell organelles? Give examples These are membrane bound structures in the cell doing particular functions. 1. Endoplasmic reticulum 2. Golgi apparatus 3.Lysosomes 4.mitochondria 5.Plastids 6. Vacuoles. 19.What is endoplasmic reticulum? Endoplasmic reticulum is a large network of membrane bound tubes and sheets in the cytoplasm. 20.Which are the two types of endoplasmic reticulum? What are its functions? 1. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes attached to its surface. These ribosomes are sites of protein synthesis. The manufactured proteins are then sent to

various places in the cell using endoplasmic reticulum. 2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): It helps in the synthesis of fat molecules or lipids. Some of these lipids and proteins help in building cell membrane (membrane biogenesis). Some other proteins and lipids function as enzymes and hormones. In the liver cells of vertebrate animals SER plays a crucial role in detoxifying many poisons and drugs. The endoplasmic reticulum serves as channels for transport of materials between various regions of cytoplasm. It provides a surface for some of the biochemical activities of the cell. 21. What is Golgi apparatus? What is its function? Golgi apparatus is a system of membrane bound vesicles arranged in stacks called Cisterns. Golgi apparatus holds and stores materials made by endoplasmic reticulum and sends it to the necessary sites. It stores, modifies and packages products in its vesicles. Eg.complex sugars are made from simple sugars in the Golgi apparatus. Golgi apparatus is involved in the formation of Lysosomes. 22. What are Lysosomes? Why are they called digestive bags of the cell? Lysosomes are membrane bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes made by RER. Lysosomes are a kind of waste disposal system of the cell. Lysosomes help to keep the cell clean by digesting any foreign material, bacteria and worn out cell organelle. They are able to do this because they contain powerful digestive enzymes capable of breaking down all organic material. 23. Why are Lysosomes called suicide bags of the cell? During a disturbances in cellular metabolism when the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and digest the whole cell. 24. What are mitochondria? Write their structure and function. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They have two membrane coverings; the outer membrane is very porous while the inner one is deeply folded. These folds provide large surface area for ATP generating chemical reactions. 25. What is ATP? ATP is Adenosine Triphosphate. It is the energy currency of the cell. 26. Why are mitochondria strange organelles? Mitochondria have their own DNA and ribosomes. They are able to make some of their own proteins. 27. What are the different types of plastids? Write their functions. 1. Chromoplasts (coloured plastids) 2. Leucoplasts (White or colourless plastids) Chloroplasts are plastids containing the pigment chlorophyll. Chloroplasts are important for photosynthesis. Leucoplasts store starch, oils and protein granules. Like mitochondria plastids have their own DNA and ribosomes. 28.What are vacuoles? Vacuoles are storage sacs for solid or liquid contents. cells have large vacuoles. Vacuoles are small in animal cells. Plant

29. Can you name the two organelles we have studied that contain their own genetic material?

Mitochondria, Plastids. 30.If the organizations of a cell are destroyed due to some physical or chemical influence what will happen? Lysosome may burst and enzymes in it digest the cell. 31.Where are proteins synthesized inside the cell? Proteins are synthesized by the ribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes are present in mitochondria and plastids also. 32.How are plant cells different from Animal Cells? 33. How does an Amoeba obtain its food? Amoeba obtains its food by endocytosis (phagocytosis). 34. Draw a plant cell and label the parts. 35. Draw an Animal cell and label the parts.