Unit 1: Cells

Learning POINTS
★What are the structures and functions of plant, animal and bacterial cells?
★How do you identify cell structures in diagrams and images of animal, plant and bacterial
cells?
★What are the differences between a plant and an animal cell?
★How are new cells produced?

Cells are
Types of cell: 2 i. Prokaryotic ii. Eukaryotic

Classification of eukaryotic cell:

Based on no. of chromosome 2 types.
1. Diploid (2n): have chromosomes in pairs
2. Haploid (n): have chromosomes without pair.

1. Prokaryotic cell: have no nucleus

2. Eukaryotic cell: have nucleus

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2 types: Plant cell and Animal cell
Plant cell

Animal cell

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Difference between animal and plant cell:

Plant Cell Animal Cell

1. Cellulose cell wall is present 1. Cell wall is absent

2. Cell become turgid in dilute solution 2. Cell burst in dilute solution

3. Plasmodesmata is present 3. Plasmodesmata is absent

4. Chloroplast is present 4. Chloroplast is absent

5. Synthesise own food (photosynthesise) 5. Cannot synthesise own food

6. Permanent sap vacuole is present 6. Temporary small vacuole is present

7. Have 2 semi-permeable membranes. 7. Have one semi-permeable membrane

(cell surface membrane, tonoplast) (cell surface membrane)

8. Nucleus is located near the cell 8. Nucleus is located at the center of the
membrane. cell.

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Organelles: Eukaryotic cell
Cytoplasm: In light microscope, cytoplasm looks like a thick liquid with particles
About 90% of cytoplasm is water. Salts and sugar molecules remain dissolved in it. Food
reserves like starch, larger molecules of lipids (fats and oils) and proteins remain
suspended in the cytoplasm.
Function:
 Hold different organelles
 Site of all metabolic reactions.
 Enzymes in cytoplasm control the rate and type of chemical reactions that take place
in the cells.
Cell surface membrane: A selectively/partially permeable barrier. Made up of
phospholipid bi-layer.

Function:
- Required for active transport against conc. gradient using energy.
- Forms protective boundary for cytoplasm.
- It stops the cell contents from escaping
- It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. For example, oxygen, food
and water are allowed to enter; waste products are allowed to leave.
Nucleus: Location of nucleus is fixed in the cytoplasm.

1. Control cell division

2. Nucleolus in the cell produce ribosomes

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3. Control the type and quantity of enzymes produced by the cytoplasm.
4. Regulates the chemical changes and all the cellular activities in the cell.
5. The nucleus controls the specialization of cell, for example, a blood cell, a liver cell, a
muscle cell or a nerve cell.
6. A cell without a nucleus cannot reproduce.
7. Inside the nucleus are thread-like structures called chromosomes, containing all the
genetic materials.
Mitochondria: In 3D form mitochondria are spherical, rod-like or extended. They have an
outer membrane and an inner membrane with many inward-pointing folds.

1. Carry out aerobic tissue respiration to produce energy

2. Stores energy in forms of ATP
3. Release energy from ATP through the process of aerobic respiration
4. Provide energy to the cells
Ribosome:

1. site of protein synthesis

2. 80S in eukaryote
3. 70S in prokaryote

Cell wall: The cell wall is present outside the cell membrane and made up of cellulose.
They are nonliving and fully permeable.
Each plant cell has its own cell wall but the boundary between two cells side by side merge
and form lamella.

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 Unit 1: Cells

Plant cells next to each other appear to be sharing the same cell wall.
i. Allow continuous entry of water
ii. Provide turgor pressure in plant
iii. cell wall is tough but flexible
iv. prevents cell bursting/mechanical injury
v. supplies support to plant parts
vi. Gives shape/rigidity to cell
Endoplasmic reticulum: 2 types

a. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

i. Surface covered in ribosomes
ii. Synthesise and Processes proteins
b. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
i. Does not have ribosomes on the surface.
ii. Involved in the production, processing and storage of lipids and steroids
Golgi Apparatus:

- Modify and transport substances within a cell

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Sap vacuole: Most mature plant cells have a large, fluid-filled space called a vacuole.
The vacuole contains cell sap, a watery solution of sugars, salts and sometimes pigments.
- Sap vacuole is surrounded by the tonoplast
- Tonoplast is selectively permeable membrane
- Store substances within the cell
- This large, central vacuole pushes the cytoplasm outwards so that it forms just a
thin lining inside the cell wall.
- The outward pressure of the vacuole on the cytoplasm and cell wall that makes
plant cells turgid.
- Animal cells also have small, temporary vacuoles in their cytoplasm for specific
functions.
Chloroplast:

- Contain chlorophyll, a green pigment

- Carry out photosynthesis.

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Organelles: Prokaryotic cell

Bacterial cell structure
Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular and microscopic often more than 0.01 mm in
length. Bacteria may be of different shapes. E.g. spherical, rod-shaped or spiral

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 Unit 1: Cells

Asexual Reproduction in Bacteria

Test yourself
4 How is a bacterial cell different from a plant cell? [2]

5 Bacteria and plant cells both have a cell wall. In what way are the cell walls different? [1]

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6 Make a large drawing of one cell and label the following parts: cell wall, cell membrane,
cytoplasm, nucleus. [5]

7 Make a note of the magnification of the eyepiece and objective lenses of your microscope.
[2]

8 Copy and complete the table by

a writing the magnification of the eyepiece lens [1]

b writing the magnification of the objective lens of your microscope which you used to
make your drawing [1]

c calculating total magnification provided by the microscope [1]

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9 Estimate how much bigger your drawing is than the image you see through the
microscope. Use these figures to calculate the total magnification of your drawing. [1]

Microscope:
An apparatus used to magnify micro objects for observation

Types of microscope: 2
1. Light microscope 2. Electron microscope

Photomicrograph is picture of sample taken using the light microscope.

Electron micrograph is the picture of sample taken using electron microscope.

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 Unit 1: Cells

Magnification:
Magnification is producing an image of an object at a scale larger than its actual size.
Formula: Magnification

Unit of Magnification is times/X

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 Unit 1: Cells

Conversion of units:

Test yourself
10 In what way does the red blood cell shown in Figure 1.16(e) differ from most other
animal cells?
11 Why does the cell shown in Figure 1.7(b) on page 4 appear to have no nucleus?
12 a Study Figure 7.11 on page 106 and identify examples of tissues and an organ.
b Study Figure 8.14 on page 128 and identify examples of tissues and an organ.

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 Unit 1: Cells

★How do you calculate the magnification and size of biological specimens using
millimetres as units?
★How do you convert measurements between millimetres and micrometres?
13 (a) In order to see cells clearly in a section of plant tissue, which magnification would
you have to use?
A ×5 B ×10 C ×100 D ×1 000

(b) What is the approximate width (in millimetres) of one of the largest cells in Figure 1.3?

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14 In Figure 1.3, the cell membranes are not always clear. Why is it still possible to decide
roughly how many cells there are in each tubule section?

Test yourself
1 a What structures are usually present in both animal and plant cells?
b What structures are present in plant cells but not in animal cells?
2 What cell structure is mainly responsible for controlling the entry and exit of substances
into or out of the cell?
3 How does a cell membrane differ from a cell wall?

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 Unit 1: Cells
Organisation of organisms:
Organelle: Separate membrane-bound structures within the cell that carry out separate
functions. e.g., nucleus, mitochondria
Cell: The structural and functional unit of life. e.g., neurone, nephron
Tissue: A number of similar cells join together to carry out a specific function.
e.g., cardiac tissue, nervous tissue, epidermal tissue, blood etc
Organ: A number of different tissues join together to carry out a set of functions.
e.g., lung, kidney, Oesophagus (Serous, smooth muscle, mucous membrane)
Organ System: A number of organs work together for a specific purpose.
e.g., Digestive system consists of Oesophagus, stomach, large intestine and small intestine.
Complexity series:
Organelle<<cell<<tissue<<organ<<organ system

Examples: Organ & Tissue

Organ System Organs Tissue
Shoot System Leaf, Stem, Flower, Fruit - Mesophyll tissue
- Xylem
- Phloem
Root System Root, Tuber - Xylem
- Phloem
- Ground tissue
Digestive System Oesophagus, Stomach, Small - Muscle
Intestine, Large Intestine - Connective tissue
- Nerve
- Epithelial tissue
Circulatory System Heart, Veins, Arteries - Muscle
- Connective tissue
- Nerve
- Epithelial
Immune System Thymus, Spleen - Bone marrow
Respiratory System Trachea, Bronchi, Lungs - Connective tissue

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 Unit 1: Cells
- Muscle
- Epithelial tissue
Excretory System Liver, Kidney, Skin, Lungs - Muscle
- Connective tissue
- Epithelial tissue
- Nerve
Nervous System Brain, Spinal Cord - Nerve
Reproductive System Ovary, Cervix, Uterus, - Muscle
Vagina, Testes, Penis - Connective
- Nervous
- Erectile tissue

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 Unit 1: Cells
Practice from Past Question Paper
Paper 1: MCQ 5090/11/M/J/21/Q-1,2,3

1. Which structures are present in plant cells but not in animal cells?
A cell membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplasts
B cell wall, chloroplasts, sap vacuole
C cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm
D cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplasts 5090/11/O/N/22/Q-3, 4

2. The diagram shows a typical plant cell which has been in a concentrated
salt solution for 10 minutes.

Which numbered structures are partially permeable?

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 1 only D 2 only
3. How permeable are the cell wall and the cell membrane in a plant cell?

5090/12/M/J/23/Q-1
4. Which structure is present in a liver cell and in a leaf cell? 5090/11/M/J/20/Q-1
A cell wall B chloroplast
C cytoplasm D sap vacuole
5. Starting with the smallest, and ending with the largest, what is the
correct sequence of these parts of an organism? 5090/12/M/J/20/Q-1
A chromosome → gene → nucleus → cell → tissue
B chromosome → gene → nucleus → tissue → cell
C gene → chromosome → nucleus → cell → tissue
D gene → chromosome → nucleus → tissue → cell

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6. Which two structures are found in all plant epidermal cells?
A cell wall and chloroplasts 5090/12/M/J/19/Q-1
B cell wall and nucleus
C chloroplasts and starch grains
D nucleus and starch grains
7. Which feature indicates that a root cell is from a plant and not an animal?
5090/12/M/J/18/Q-1
A cell membrane B cell wall
C chloroplast D cytoplasm
8. The diagram shows a palisade cell.
Which structure is the site of photosynthesis?

9. Which organelles are found in both animal and plant cells?

1 cell membrane 5090/12/M/J/16/Q-1, 3
2 cell wall
3 nucleus
4 sap vacuole
A 1 and 3 B 1 and 4 C 2 and 3 D 2 and 4
10. The diagrams show a cylindrical net packed with rubber balloons full of
air. The structure is used by a teacher to explain wilting.

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 Unit 1: Cells

What is represented by the parts of the structure shown?

11. Which two structures are found in all plant epidermal cells?
A cell wall and chloroplasts
B cell wall and nucleus
C chloroplasts and starch grains
D nucleus and starch grains
12. The cell wall of a plant cell is removed using an enzyme. 5090/11/M/J/15/Q-1
What would happen if this cell is then placed in distilled water?
A It would take longer for the cell to become turgid.
B Proteins in the cytoplasm would leave through the cell membrane.
C The cell would become smaller as water passes out.
D The cell would burst as water moves into it.
13. The diagram shows a plant cell. 5090/12/M/J/15/Q-1

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 Unit 1: Cells
Which structure identifies this as a plant cell rather than an animal cell?
A cell membrane
B cell wall
C cytoplasm
D nucleus5090/11/O/N/15/Q-1

14. Which diagram shows the positions of the chloroplasts and the nucleus
in a cell? 5090/12/O/N/15/Q-1

15. The diagram shows the upper layers of a leaf.

What are the structures labelled X and Y?

16. Which row correctly shows the function of a cell structure and its
location? 5090/11/O/N/16/Q-1

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 Unit 1: Cells
17. The diagram shows a plant cell. 5090/12/O/N/16/Q-1

Which two structures are not found in animal cells?

A 1 and 2 B 2 and 3 C 3 and 4 D 4 and 5
18. A cell is observed under a microscope. 5090/12/O/N/18/Q-1

Which feature identifies it as a plant cell?

A The cell contains a single large sap vacuole.
B The cell contains glucose and amino acids.
C The cell contains stored fat.
D The cell surface membrane is partially permeable.
19. During a lesson about animal and plant cells, a student reads out a
number of statements about cell structure. Only three of his statements
are correct.
1 All cells have a cell wall.
2 Cell walls are made of cellulose.
3 Chromosomes carry DNA.
4 Cell walls contain starch.
5 All cells have a cell membrane.
6 A sap vacuole helps an animal cell maintain its turgor.
7 Chromosomes are found in the cytoplasm.
Which three statements are correct?
A 1, 3 and 7 B 2, 3 and 5 C 2, 4 and 6 D 4, 5 and 7
20. A human cheek cell and a spongy mesophyll cell from a leaf are
examined under a microscope. 5090/12/O/N/19/Q-1
Which structures are seen in both cells?
A cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm
B cell wall, cell membrane and nucleus
C cytoplasm, cell wall and cell membrane
D nucleus, cytoplasm and cell wall

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 Unit 1: Cells
Paper 2: Structured Question Practice 0610/41/M/J/21/Q-1
1. (a) Baker’s yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a single-celled organism that is classified
in the kingdom Fungi. Fig. 1.1 is a drawing of a section through a yeast cell.

Fig. 1.1
(i) State one other kingdom that contains organisms that all have structure A.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Table 1.1 shows some cell functions.
Complete Table 1.1 by naming the cell structure responsible for each cell function and
give the letter that identifies each cell structure in Fig. 1.1.
Table 1.1

(b) A student made a drawing of one Escherichia coli bacterium. Fig. 1.2 shows the
student’s drawing.

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 Unit 1: Cells

Fig. 1.2
The actual length of the bacterial cell is 2 μm.
(i) Convert the actual length of the cell to millimetres.

................................................... mm [1]
(ii) State the other information that the student needs in order to calculate the
magnification of the drawing in Fig. 1.2.

................................................................................................................................................................ [1]
(c) Describe the similarities and differences between the structure of the plant cell and
the structure of the bacterial cell.
Use the information in Fig. 1.1 and Fig. 1.2 in your answer.

...............................................................................................................................................................................

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.................................................................................................................................................................... [6]
[Total:11]
0610/31/M/J/21/Q-4

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 Unit 1: Cells
2. (e) Organs, tissues and specialised cells are structures in the body that perform a
particular function.
Write these parts of the body in order of size from smallest to largest.

cell DNA molecule organ organ system tissue

smallest .......................................

......................................

......................................

.......................................

largest ....................................... [2]

0610/42/M/J/22/Q-1
3. Fig. 1.1 shows a spongy mesophyll cell from the leaf of a plant. The arrows show the net
direction of movement of carbon dioxide molecules during daylight.

Fig. 1.1
(a) The scale bar in Fig. 1.1 represents 0.01 mm.
Convert 0.01 mm to micrometres.

..................................................... μm [1]
(b) Table 1.1 shows:
• the functions of some of the structures in plant cells
• some of the names of the structures where these functions occur
• some of the letters that label these structures in Fig. 1.1.
Complete Table 1.1.
Table 1.1

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[5]
0610/31/M/J/22/Q-1
4. (a) Fig. 1.1 is a diagram of a plant cell.

Fig. 1.1
The boxes on the left contain the letters that identify some parts of the plant cell in Fig.
1.1. The boxes on the right show the functions of some parts of a cell.
Draw five lines to link each letter to its correct function.

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5090/22/O/N/23/Q-1

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