CELLS : THE BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

Vocabulary

Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all living organisms.

Organisms maybe unicellular or multicellular.









Unicellular organisms are made up of only one cell example bacteria, fungi.

Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells example: plants, animals, some fungi.

Classification of living organisms into Kingdoms

Millions of living things inhabit our planet, but did you know that they are divided into five separate kingdoms? Some, like animals and plants, are visible to the naked eye; but others, like bacteria, can only be seen under a microscope. 

CELLS : THE BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

Animal kingdom
The kingdom Animalia is the most evolved and is divided into two large groups - vertebrates and invertebrates. These animals are multi-celled, sexual reproduction and the ability to move. This kingdom is one of the most diverse and comprises mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, molluscs and annelids, among others.

Plant kingdom
Trees, plants and other species of vegetation make up part of the Plantae kingdom - one of the oldest, and characterized by its immobile and multicellular nature. The cells contain cellulose and chlorophyll are essential for life on Earth since they release oxygen through photosynthesis.

Cheek (animal) cells

Plant cells

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CELLS : THE BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

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Fungi kingdom
This kingdom includes yeasts, moulds and all species of mushrooms and toadstools. These multicellular organisms have chitin in their cell walls, feed off other living things, and reproduce through spores.

Protista kingdom
The Protista kingdom contains the common ancestor but not all its descendants - and it includes those organisms that are not deemed to be animals, plants or fungi such as protozoa.

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Monera kingdom
This is the kingdom of microscopic living things and groups together the prokaryotes (archaea and bacteria). This group is present in all habitats and is made up of single-cell things with no defined nucleus.

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Paramecium

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Monera kingdom
This is the kingdom of microscopic living things and groups together the prokaryotes (archaea and bacteria). This group is present in all habitats and is made up of single-cell things with no defined nucleus.

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Organelles are special structures found within the cell. Each organelle has a specific job to carry out to help the cell to function properly.

An example of an organelle is the nucleus

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Parts of the Animal cell

Functions of parts of the cell

Nucleus : found towards the center of the animal cell. Controls all the activities that occurs in the cell. Contains the DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid) which codes for specific traits ( eye color, height..) in organisms.

Ribosomes : smallest organelle in the cell. It is produced by the nucleolus present in the nucleus. The ribosome is responsible for making proteins that will help the cell to grow. They can be found on the endoplasmic reticulum or in the cytoplasm.

Functions of parts of the cell

Nucleus : found towards the center of the animal cell. Controls all the activities that occurs in the cell. Contains the DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid) which codes for specific traits ( eye color, height..) in organisms.

Ribosomes : smallest organelle in the cell. It is produced by the nucleolus present in the nucleus. The ribosome is responsible for making proteins that will help the cell to grow. They can be found on the endoplasmic reticulum or in the cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm : Jelly-like substance that makes up the cell consisting of 70% water. Many dissolved substances such as nutrients and gases can be found in the cytoplasm.

Mitochondrion (singular) : The mitochondria (plural) are responsible for producing energy from the food taken into the cell. The mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses" of the cell. The energy released from food in the mitochondria is stored in a special molecule called ATP ( Adenosine triphosphate)

Cell membrane : It is the structure that surrounds the cell. The cell membrane allows substances to move in and out of the cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) : Maze of membrane that extends from the nucleus. The ER transport proteins made in the cell and allows for fat formation.

Vacuole : Sac that stores water and food in the cell.

Plant Cell

Animal and plant cells share many common organelles. However, there are some additional specialized structures found in plant cells, including : chloroplasts, a large vacuole, and the cell wall.

Cell Wall: This is the rigid outermost layer of a plant cell. It makes the cell stiff -providing the cell with mechanical support - and giving it protection. Animal cells do not have cell walls.

Vacuoles: These are large sacs that store toxic wastes as well as useful products such as water. These are mainly found in plants, storing a sugary solution known as cell sap.