MIND

The Fundamental Unit of Life

Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
All living organisms are structurally composed of cells.

Multicellular Organisms Unicellular Organisms Prokaryotic Cell Eukaryotic Cell

Many cells group together and assume
different functions in the body to form
various body parts, e.g. plants and
animals. Every multicellular organism has
come from a single cell which divides to
form many cells of its own kind.
A single-cell constitutes the Nuclear envelope and Nucleus is well defined
whole organism, e.g. Amoeba, membrane-bound with nuclear envelope, and
Chlamydomonas and bacteria. organelles are absent, e.g. contains DNA in it, e.g.
bacteria and cyanobacteria. plant and animal cell.

Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cell wall is present, so the cell shape is well defined. Comparitively larger, Generally smaller in size. Do not have cell wall. Prominent
central space is occupied by a large vacuole. Plant cells lack centrosome and highly complex Golgi bodies are present. Animal cells
and centrioles and nucleus lies at one side of the cell. possess centrioles and nucleus lies in the centre.

Structural Organisation of Cell

Plasma Membrane Cell Wall Nucleus Cytoplasm

It is the outermost covering It is found only in the It is popularly called as It is the fluid content
of the cell that is composed plant cell. It is tough, brain of the cells. It inside the plasma

of proteins and lipids. It
permits the entry and exit of
some materials. It maintains
the shape of the cell, acts as
mechanical barrier and
protects the internal
contents of the cell.
Transport of substances
across the membrane takes
place by diffusion or
osmosis.
Cell Organelles
non-living outer controls all functions of a membrane. It also
covering lining the cell. It determines the cell contains many
outside of plasma development and maturity specialised cell
membrane. It permits by directing the chemical organelles. It helps in
the cells of plants, fungi activities of cell. It plays an exchange of material
and bacteria to important role in cellular between cell organelles.
withstand much greater reproduction in which a It is a site of certain
changes in surrounding cell divides to form new metabolic pathways
medium than the daughter cells. such as glycolysis.
animal cells.

ER Mitochondria Golgi Apparatus Lysosomes Plastids Vacuoles

It is large network They are known as It consists of a system of These are called These are These are storage
of membrane- power house of cell. It membrane-bound vesicles as suicidal bags found only in sacs for solid and
bound tubules and releases energy called cisternae. It helps of a cell. They plant cells. liquid contents.
sheets. ER required by the cell in in formation of lysosomes form the waste They are They are small sized
membrane is the form of ATP and in storing and disposal system chromoplast, in animal cells and
made up of lipids (Adenosine packging of various of a cell. chloroplast and large sized in plant
and proteins. Triphosphate). molecules in a cell. leucoplast. cells.