Exercise-5.

1 Page: 59

1. Who discovered cells, and how?

Solution:

In 1665, Robert Hooke discovered cells while examining a thin slice of

cork through a self-designed microscope. He observed that the cork
resembled the structure of a honeycomb consisting of numerous tiny
compartments. The minuscule boxes are referred to as cells.

2. Why is the cell called the structural and functional unit of life?

Solution:

Cells form the structure of an entity. A group of cells form a tissue,

further an organ and ultimately an organ system. They perform
fundamental functions and life processes such as respiration,
digestion, excretion etc., in both unicellular and multicellular entities.
They perform all the activities independently. Hence, cells are
referred to as structural and fundamental units of life.

Exercise-5.2.1 Page: 61
3. How do substances like CO2 and water move in and out of the cell?
Discuss.

Solution:

CO2 moves by diffusion. The cellular waste accumulates in high

concentrations in the cell, whereas the concentration of CO2 in the
external surroundings is comparatively lower. This difference in the
concentration level inside and outside of the cell causes the CO 2 to
diffuse from a region of higher (within the cell) to a lower
concentration.

H2O diffuses by osmosis through the cell membrane. It moves from a

region of higher concentration to a lower concentrated region
through a selectively permeable membrane until equilibrium is
reached.

4. Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable

membrane?

Solution:

The plasma membrane is called as a selectively permeable membrane

as it permits the movement of only certain molecules in and out of
the cells. Not all molecules are free to diffuse.
Exercise-5.2.2-5.2.4 Page: 63

5. Fill in the gaps in the following table, illustrating the differences

between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

1. Size: Generally small (1-10 1. Size: Generally large (5-100

μm) μm)
2. Nuclear region: well-
1 μm = 10-6m defined and surrounded by a

2. Nuclear region: nuclear membrane.

_________________________
_____ 3. More than one

_________________________ chromosome.
_____ 4.

and known as _________________________

___________________ _____

3. Chromosome: single _________________________

_____
4. Membrane-bound cell
organelles absent. _________________________
_____
Solution:
Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

1. Size: Generally small (1-10 μm) 1. Size: Generally large (5-

100 μm)
1 μm = 10-6m 2. Nuclear region: well-
defined and surrounded
2. The nuclear region is poorly
by a nuclear membrane.
defined due to the absence of a
nuclear membrane and is known 3. There is more than one
as the nucleoid. chromosome.

3. There is a single chromosome. 4. Membrane-bound cell

organelles present.
4. Membrane-bound cell
organelles absent.

Exercise-5.2.5 Page: 65

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

Solution:

The two organelles which have their own genetic material are

1. Mitochondria

2. Plastids
7. If the organisation of a cell is destroyed due to some physical or
chemical influence, what will happen?

Solution:

In the event of any damage to cells and when the revival of cells is not
possible, Lysosomes burst, and enzymes digest such cells. This is why
lysosomes are often referred to as ‘suicide bags’.

8. Why are lysosomes known as suicide bags?

Solution:

When there is damage to the cell and when revival is not possible,
lysosomes may burst, and the enzymes digest their own cell.
Consequently, lysosomes are known as suicide bags.

9. Where are proteins synthesised inside the cell?

Solution:

Protein synthesis in cells takes place in ribosomes. Hence, ribosomes

are also referred to as protein factories. Ribosomes are particles that
are found attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Exercise Page: 67
1. Make a comparison and write down ways in which plant cells are
different from animal cells.

Solution:

The following table depicts the differences between plant cells and
animal cells.

Characteristic Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cell Wall Present Absent

Shape of Cell With distinct edges, the Round and

shape is either irregular shape
rectangular or square-
shaped.

Nucleus Present. It lies on one Present. It lies in

side of the cell the centre of the
cell

Lysosomes Rarely present Always present

Plastids Present Absent

Structure of Single or a few large Presence of

Vacuoles vacuoles that are numerous and
centrally located small vacuoles
2. How is a prokaryotic cell different from a eukaryotic cell?

Solution:

The following are the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic

cells.

Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

1. Size: Generally small (1-10 μm) 1. Size: Generally large

(5-100 μm)
1 μm = 10-6m 2. Nuclear region: well-
defined and girdled by a
2. The nuclear region is not well
nuclear membrane.
defined as the nuclear membrane
is absent and is referred to as the 3. There is more than one
nucleoid. chromosome.

3. There is a single chromosome. 4. Membrane-bound cell

organelles present.
4. Membrane-bound cell
organelles absent.
3. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks
down?

Solution:
If the plasma membrane ruptures or breaks down, then molecules of
some substances will freely move in and out of the cells. As the
plasma membrane acts as a mechanical barrier, the exchange of
material from its surroundings through osmosis or diffusion in a cell
won’t take place. Consequently, the cell would die due to the
disappearance of the protoplasmic material.

4. What would happen to the life of a cell if there was no Golgi

apparatus?

Solution:

The Golgi apparatus consists of stacks of membrane-bound vesicles

whose functions are as follows:

 Storage of substances
 Packaging of substances
 Manufacture of substances

Without the Golgi apparatus, the cells will be disabled from packing
and dispatching materials that were produced by the cells. The Golgi
apparatus is also involved in the formation of cells. Hence, in the
absence of the Golgi apparatus, cells will not be produced.

5. Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell? Why?

Solution:
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell. It is because it
releases the energy required for different activities of life.
Mitochondria releases energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine
triphosphate) molecules, essential for numerous chemical activities of
life. Hence, ATP is often referred to as the ‘energy currency of the
cell’.

6. Where do the lipids and proteins constituting the cell membrane

get synthesised?

Solution:

Lipids and proteins are synthesised in the ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum).

How does an Amoeba obtain its food?

Solution:

Through the process of endocytosis, an Amoeba obtains its food. As

its cell membrane is flexible enough, food particles are engulfed,
forming a food vacuole girdling it, which is assisted by the
pseudopodia. Amoeba secretes digestive enzymes to bring about
digestion of the engulfed particle once the food is trapped.
What is osmosis?

Solution:

The process of movement of a water molecule from a region of higher

concentration to a region of lower concentration through a
semipermeable membrane is known as osmosis.

9. Carry out the following osmosis experiment:

Take four peeled potato halves and scoop each one out to make
potato cups. One of these potato cups should be made from a boiled
potato. Put each potato cup in a trough containing water. Now,

(a) Keep cup A empty

(b) Put one teaspoon sugar in cup B

(c) Put one teaspoon salt in cup C

(d) Put one teaspoon sugar in the boiled potato cup D.

Keep these for two hours. Then observe the four potato cups and
answer the following:

(i) Explain why water gathers in the hollowed portion of B and C.

(ii) Why is potato A necessary for this experiment?

(iii) Explain why water does not gather in the hollowed-out portions
of A and D.

Solution:

(i) Water accumulates in the hollowed portions of B and C as a

difference in the water concentration

is observed. Thereby, endosmosis occurs as the cells act as a

semipermeable membrane.

(ii) Potato A is essential in this experiment as it is significant to

compare different scenarios seen in

potato cups B, C and D. Potato A in this experiment clearly shows that

the potato cavity on its

own cannot bring about water movement.

(iii) Cup in A does not show any change in the water flow
concentration for osmosis to occur, which

requires concentration to be higher than the other. Cells in cup D are

dead; thus, there is no

existence of a semipermeable membrane for water flow.

Consequently, osmosis does not occur.
10. Which type of cell division is required for the growth and repair of
the body, and which type is involved in the formation of gametes?

Solution:

There are two ways in which a cell divides:

 Mitosis
 Meiosis

Mitosis is the type of cell division that is involved in the growth and
repair of the body, whereas meiosis is a type of cell division which
results in the formation of gametes.