Cell Structure and

Organisation

What you will learn

State the characteristics and functions of
the plasma membrane, centrioles,
mitochondrion, cytoplasm, vacuole and
nucleus.
Do a biological drawing of a typical
animal and plant cell.
Compare the characteristics of a typical
animal and plant cell

What is Biology?
Greek bios life and logos knowledge
Biology is the study of life and living things or
organisms.

Characteristics of living
things

They reproduce.
They feed
They respire (release energy from food).
They grow (irreversibly increase their dry
mass).
They excrete (eliminate waste products
from chemical reactions).

Characteristics of living
things
They move.
They are sensitive to environmental
changes and respond to them.
They are able to adjust and adapt
themselves to changes.
They are made of cell/cells.

What are cells?

The cell is the building block of
structures in living things.
The cell contains information that is used
as instructions for growth,
development and functioning.
The cell is the functioning unit of life;
the chemical reactions of life take
place within the cell.

What is in a cell?
A cell consists of living matter called
protoplasm.
protoplasmis a complex jelly-like
substance.
Endless chemical reactions are carried in
it.
Protoplasm consists of the nucleus,
cytoplasm and cell surface membrane /
plasma membrane.

A typical animal cell

Animal Cell: Cytoplasm

Consists of semi-fluid medium
(cytosol) surrounding the nucleus.
It is the place where most life processes,
eg chemical reactions occur in the cell.
Embedded in the cytoplasm are
organelles, small structures that carry
out a particular function each.

Animal Cell: Nucleus

Consist of:
Chromatin threads that contain
hereditary material DNA that condense
into chromosomes during cell division.
Nucleolus, spherical structure that plays
a role in the formation of proteins in the
cell.
Nucleoplasm, dense protoplasm.
These are surrounded by a nuclear
envelope.

Animal Cell: Nucleus

Functions:
controls cell activities, e.g. biochemical
reactions in the cell.
responsible for cell reproduction.
continued survival of the cell.

3-dimensional
diagram of a
nucleus
condensed
chromatin

Electron
micrograph of a
nucleus
nucleolu
s

Animal Cell: Mitochondrion

mitochondrion (plural
mitochondria)
spherical or rod-shaped
structure.
Site of release of energy
from food during cellular
respiration.
Energy comes in the form
of molecules called ATP
(adenosine
triphosphate).

Animal Cell: Vacuole

Vacuoles in an animal cell are fluid-filled
space enclosed by a membrane.
Animal cells may contain many small,
non permanent vacuoles.

Animal Cell: Cell Surface

Membrane / Plasma
Membrane

Surrounds the cytoplasm externally.

Partially permeable membrane, i.e. it
can control the type of substance that
enter or leave the cell.
Separates chemical composition and
conditions in the internal compartment
of a cell from those external to the cell.

Animal Cell: Rough /

Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum

Rough endoplasmic
reticulum with
ribosomes:
For Protein synthesis

Smooth endoplasmic
reticulum:
Synthesis of lipids
(fats)

Animal Cell: Golgi

Apparatus

Packs and transport substances out of

Animal Cell: Cell Surface

Membrane / Plasma
Membrane

A typical plant cell

A typical plant cell

Plant Cell
The function of the nucleus, cytoplasm,
mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum,
golgi apparatus and plasma membrane of
plant cells is similar to that of animal cells.

Plant Cell: Cellulose Cell

Wall
In a plant cell, there is a cell wall which
encloses the whole cell.
This cell wall is made of cellulose.
It protects the plant cell from injury.

Plant Cell: Vacuole

A large, central vacuole in a plant cell is a
fluid-filled space enclosed by a
membrane (tonoplast) that pushes the
cytoplasm to the edge of the cell.
The fluid (cell sap) in plant cells contains
dissolved sugar, salt and amino acids.

Plant Cell: Chloroplast

Contains
chlorophyll.
Site of
photosynthesis
(plants make sugar
using carbon
dioxide, water and
light energy)

Plant cells

Elodea

Animal cells

Human cheek
cells

Similarities between animal

and plant cells
1. Both have a plasma membrane
surrounding the cell.
2. Both have cytoplasm.
3. Both have a nucleus each.
4. Both contain mitochondria.

Differences between animal and

plant cells
Animal
Cell

Plant
Cell

What you will learn

Know the structural characteristics and
adaptation of specialised cells (root hair
cells, xylem vessels and red blood cells).
Recognised what are tissues.

How do we study cells?

Light microscope:
visible light is
passed through
specimen and glass
lenses
- magnification
1000 times
- shows shape of
cell, shape and
position of nucleus

How do we study cells?

Electron microscope:
focuses a beam of
electrons through
specimen
- magnification up to
500000 times
- shows detailed
structures and
organelles within the
cell

Intestinal epithelial cells (highly absorptive

surface)

Light
microscope

Transmission
electron
microscope

Scanning
electron
microscope

Biological drawing of
an intestinal epithelial
cell

Division of labour among

cells
Through the process of differentiation,
a cell becomes specialised for a specific
function.
The structure of a specialised cell is
adapted to perform its specific function.

Examples of specialised
cells

Cardiac (heart)
muscle cells are
long and joined
to each other to
allow wave of
contraction to
spread.

Nerve cells are

long and thin to
relay impulses to
the brain and
other parts of the
body.

A sperm cell has a

tail so that it can
swim up the
female
reproductive

Specialised Cells: Root Hair

Cells

Cell structure:
The
numerous root hairs
are tiny, long and
narrow extensions of

Adaptation to
function: Increases
surface area to
volume ratio for
efficient absorption of

Specialised Cells: Xylem

Vessels
lignin

Cell structure:
End walls of
cells are broken down
and there is absence of
protoplasm.
There is deposition of
lignin on its wall.

Adaptation to function:
To
allow for continual flow
of water with less
resistance up the
To
prevent collapse
plant.
and provide
mechanical support to

Specialised Cells: Red Blood

Cells

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain a red pigment

called haemoglobin that binds to oxygen, enabling
them to transport oxygen.
Cell structure:
It has a
biconcave shape
(thinner central
portion).
It does not have a
nucleus
(enucleated).

Adaptation to function:
To increase
surface area for diffusion
of oxygen into and out of
the cell at a higher rate
It can bind to more
haemoglobin molecules to
maximise oxygen carrying
capacity.

Tissues
So what are tissues?

Tissues
Cells of the same type are usually arranged
in groups or layers to form tissues.
Example:

Muscle
cell
Muscle
tissue

Animal: Nerve Tissue

What is the difference?

Nerve Cell

Nerve
Tissue

Animal: Epithelial Tissue

Can be found on
the lining of most
body parts like the
cheek, kidney,
heart.
Function: Protect
structures beneath
it.

Plant: Epidermal Tissue

This protects the plant against injury and
drying-out its inner parts.

Plant: Vascular Tissue

Transport food and
water to various
parts of a plant.
Helps to support
the plant.

What you will learn

Levels of organisation.
Various types of system in humans.
Type of system in plants.

Levels of organisation
Cells which specialise in the same
activity are found together. A group of
cells like this is called a tissue.
Example: enzyme secreting cells form
tissue lining stomach, muscle cells make
up muscle tissue in stomach wall.

Levels of organisation
A group of tissues working together make
up an organ.
Example: all the tissues in the stomach
work together, making up the stomach
(organ). Other organs include the heart,
liver, kidneys and lungs.

Levels of organisation
A group of organs working together make up
an organ system.
Example: The stomach, mouth and intestines
make up the digestive system. The heart is
part of the circulatory system. Te kidney is
part of the excretory system.

System
Several organs are linked together to
form a body system.
Each system will perform a particular
function.
System exists in very complex
multicellular organisms such as human
beings.

System
There are various systems found in human
beings
Examples:
Respir Muscul
atory
ar
system system
Digesti Skeleta
ve
l system
system
Nervou Male
s
reprodu

Respiratory System
Respiration is a
process whereby
energy is released
from the food we eat.
Takes in oxygen
needed by cells for
respiration.
Removes carbon
dioxide produced by
respiration.

Digestive System
Breaks down the
food we eat into
small and soluble
substances.
The soluble
substances can
then be absorbed
by the blood.

Nervous System
Controls our
action.
Ensures all parts of
our body work
smoothly together.
Enables us to
respond to
changes around us.

Blood Circulatory System

Carries food,
waste, oxygen
and water to
various parts of the
body.

Skeletal System
Supports our body.
Gives us shape.
Protects our body.
Enables
movement.

Muscular System
Enables
movement
through
contraction and
relaxation of
muscle tissues.

Female Reproductive
System
For reproduction.
Eggs are released
by the ovaries
every month.

Male Reproductive System

For
reproduction.
Sperms are
produced by the
testis.

Exercise
Which systems are linked to the following
diseases or conditions?
Stroke
Asthma
Diarrhoea
Infertility

Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Reproductive system

System
Systems are also present in plants.
For example, the transport system.
It involves practically the whole plant.

What are the other systems

found in plants?
Photosynthetic system
Respiratory system
Reproductive system