Structure and functions of different parts of cells

• In both plant and animals, each cell is surrounded by a very thin

plasma membrane (cell surface membrane).
• In plant cells, cell surface membrane is further surrounded by cell
wall.
• The fluid which is present inside the cell is called protoplasm. It is
divided into nucleus and cytoplasm.
• Nucleus contains the genetic material DNA that controls the
activities of the cell.
• Cytoplasm is a part of protoplasm that lies outside the nucleus.
Many small structures can be seen within it known as cell
organelles.
 Structure and functions of different parts of cells
• An organelle can be defined as a functionally and structurally distinct
part of a cell.
• Organelles themselves are often surrounded by membranes so that
their activities can be separated from the surrounding cytoplasm. This
is described as compartmentalization. Having separate compartments
is essential for a structure as complex as a cell to work efficiently.
• Some organelles are bounded by double membrane (nucleus,
mitochondria and chloroplasts) and some are bounded by a single
membrane (ER, golgi bodies, lysosomes).
• Some organelles non-membrane bound, i.e. they are not surrounded
by any membrane, eg, ribosomes.
• Each type of organelle has its own specific function.
 Cell wall
• Cell wall is a rigid, freely permeable and protective covering of plant cells,
fungal cells and prokaryotic cells; it is absent in animal cells.
• In plant cells, cell wall is composed of middle lamella, primary wall and
secondary wall.
• Middle lamella is made up of calcium and magnesium pectate and acts as a
cementing layer between two adjoining cells.
• Primary wall lies inner to middle lamella and is basically composed of
cellulose.
• Middle lamella and primary wall are present in all the plant cells whereas
secondary wall is present only in some specialized cells like collenchyma,
xylem vessels, sclerenchyma etc.
• Secondary wall lies inner to primary wall and is composed of cellulose (in
collenchyma) or lignin (in xylem vessels and sclerenchyma).  
 Cell wall
• Fine strands of cytoplasm called plasmodesmata are present within cell
walls that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.
• Thus plasmosesmata are the cytoplasmic connections between cells,
running transversally through the walls.  
• They allow the passage of substances between the adjoining cells.
 Functions of cell wall
• Cell wall provides mechanical strength to cells. This prevents cell bursting
under the pressure created by the osmotic entry of water. Cellulose has a
very high tensile strength (i.e. it is resistant to stretching) and makes it
possible for a cell to withstand large pressures develop within it due to
osmosis. It prevents undue expansion of the cell when water enters by
osmosis to compensate for the lack of contractile vacuole. This prevents
bursting of cells.
• It also gives mechanical strength to the plant as a whole.
• It allows water to pass along it and so contribute to the movement of
water through the plant.

(Note: We will study cellulose in detail in the chapter “Biological molecules”

and osmosis in detail in the chapter “Cell membrane and transport”.)
 Cell surface membrane
• It is thin, elastic and partially permeable membrane (allows selected
substances to pass through it to limited extent) which forms the
outermost boundary of cytoplasm in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells.
• In plant cells and prokaryotic cells, it is further surrounded by cell wall.
• It is basically made up of lipids and proteins.
 Functions of cell surface membrane
• It separates the cell from its external environment and also controls
movement of substances in and out of cells.
• It is important in cell recognition.
• It has receptor sites which bind specific hormones and
neurotransmitters.
• In animal cells, it may be folded to form microvilli to provide a larger
surface area for the absorption of substances.
• It has components that attach to one another and so help cells to form
tissues.

(Note: We will study cell surface membrane in detail in the chapter “Cell
membrane and transport”)