CBSE Class 9 Science The Fundamental Unit of Life Chapter Notes (Part-I)

Get CBSE Class 9 Science Notes for Chapter 5 - The Fundamental Unit of Life. This is the first of the notes in which you will learn the various characteristics of cell and the difference between animal cell and plant cell. The notes prepared by the subject experts are completed as per the latest syllabus for CBSE Class 9 Science.

CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 5 The Fundamental Unit of Life

This article brings you the CBSE Class 9 Science notes on chapter 5 ‘Is The Fundamental Unit of Life’ (Part-I). These chapter notes are prepared by the subject experts and cover every important topic from the chapter. At the end of the notes, you can try the questions asked from the discussed set of topics. These questions will help you to track your preparation level and get a hold of the subject.

CBSE Class 9 Science, The Fundamental Unit of Life: Chapter notes (Part-II)

Main topics covered in this part of CBSE Class 9 Science, The Fundamental Unit of Life: Chapter Notes, are:

→ Definition of Cell

→ Shape and Size of Cell

→ Types of Cell

→ Structure of Cell

→ Cell Organelles

→ Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell

Also Check: CBSE Class 9 Science Syllabus 2021-22

Key notes for Chapter- The Fundamental Unit of Life, are:

Cell

It is the structural and functional unit of life.

→ Cell is termed as the structural unit of life as it provides structure to our body.

→ Cell is considered as the functional unit of life as all the functions of the body take place at cell level.

Discovery of cell:

→ Discovered by Robert Hooke in 1665.

→ Robert Brown in 1831 discovered the nucleus in the cell.

Cell Theory:

Cell theory states that:

→ All living organisms are composed of cells.

→ Cell is the fundamental unit of life.

→ All new cells come from pre-existing cells.

Types of Organisms on the Basis of Number of Cells

There are two kinds of organisms on the basis of cells:

(i) Unicellular Organisms: The organisms that are made up of single cell and may constitute a whole organism, are named as unicellular organisms.

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For example: Amoeba, Paramecium, bacteria, etc.

(ii) Multicellular Organisms: The organisms which are composed of a collection of cells that assume function in a coordinated manner, with different cells specialized to perform particular tasks in the body, are named as multicellular organisms.

For example: Plants, human beings, animals, etc.

Shape and Size of Cells

→ Cells vary in shape and size. They may be oval, spherical, rectangular, spindle shaped, or totally irregular like the nerve cell.

→ The size of cell also varies in different organisms. Most of the cells are microscopic in size like red blood cells (RBC) while some cells are fairly large like nerve cells.

Types of Cells

The cells can be categorized in two types:

1. Prokaryotic Cell 2. Eukaryotic Cell

1. Prokaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cells are cells in which true nucleus is absent. They are primitive and incomplete cells. Prokaryotes are always unicellular organisms. For example, archaebacteria, bacteria, blue green algae are all prokaryotes.

structure of prokaryotic cell

2. Eukaryotic Cell

Eukaryobc cells are the cells in which true nucleus is present. They are advanced and complete cells. Eukaryotes include all living organisms (both unicellular and multicellular organisms) except bactera and blue green algae.

structure of eukaryotic cell

Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells:

S. No.

Prokaryotic cell

Eukaryotic cell

Size of cell is generally small (1-10 mm).

Size of cell is generally large (5-100 mm).

Nucleus is absent.

Nucleus is present.

It contains single chromosome.

It contains more than one chromosome.

Nucleolus is absent.

Nucleolus is present.

Memrane bound cell organelles are absent.

Memrane bound cell organelles such as mitochondria, plastids, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, etc., are present.

Cell division takes place by fission or budding.

Cell division takes place by mitotic or meiotic cell division.

Structure of Cell

Cell is generally composed of three basic components:

(i) Cell wall and cell membrane

(ii) Nucleus

(iii) Cytoplasm

(i) Cell membrane or Plasma membrane:

Plasma membrane is the covering of the cell that separates the contents of the cell from its external environment.

It is a living part of the cell and is present in cells of plants, animals and microorganisms.

It is very thin, delicate, elastic and selectively permeable membrane.

It is composed of lipid and protein.

Function:

As it is selectively permeable membrane, it allows the flow of limited substances in and out of the cell.

(ii) Cell wall:

cell wall is non-living, thick and freely permeable covering made up of cellulose.

It is present in eukaryotic plant cells and in prokaryotic cells.

Functions:

→ It determines the shape and rigidity to the plant cell.

→ It protects the plasma membrane.

→ It prevents desiccation or dryness in cell.

→ It helps in the transport of varous substances in and out of the cell.

(iii) Nucleus:

Nucleus is dense and spherical organelle.

Nucleus is bounded by two membranes, both forming nuclear envelope. Nuclear envelope contains many pores known as nuclear pores.

The fluid which present inside the nucleus is called nucleoplasm.

Nucleus contains chromosomes and chromosomes contain genes which are the centres of genetic information.

Functions:

→ Nucleus controls all the metabolic activities of the cell.

→ It regulates the cell cycle.

→ Nucleus is the storehouse of genes.It is concerned with the transmission of hereditary traits from the parent to offspring.

(iv) Cytoplasm:

It is a jelly-like, viscous, colourless semi-fluid substance that occurs between the plasma membrane and the nuclear membrane.

The aqueous ground substance of cytoplasm is called cytosol that contains a variety of cell organelles and other insoluble waste products and storage products, like starch, glycogen, lipid, etc.

Functions:

→ Protoplasm acts as a store of vital chemicals like amino acids, proteins, sugars, vitamins, etc.

→ It is the site of certain metabolic reactions, like glycolysis, synthesis of fatty acids, nucleotides, etc.

Cell organelles:

Inside the cell there are different parts performing different activities to keep the cell alive anf functionable. These part are called Cell organelles. They are explained below:

1. Golgi Apparatus:

Golgi apparatus consists of a set of membrane bound, fluid filled vesicles, vacuoles and flattened cisternae (closed sacks).

Cisternae are usually arranged parallel to each other.

Functions:

→ Its main function is to store, modify, package and dispatch the substances.

→ It is also involved in the synthesis of cell wall, plasma membrane and lysosomes.

2. Endoplasmic Reticulum:

It is a membranous network of tube like structures extending from nuclear membrane to plasma membrane.

It is absent in prokaryotic cells and matured RBCs of mammals.

There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum:

(i) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): Here ribosomes are present on the surface for the synthesis of proteins.

(ii) Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): Here ribosomes are absent and is meant for secreting lipids.

Functions:

→ It gives internal support to cell.

→ It helps in transport of various substances from nuclear membrane to plasma membrane or vice versa.

→ RER helps in synthesis and transportation of proteins.

→ SER helps in synthesis and transportation of lipids.

3. Ribosomes:

These are extremely small, dense and spherical bodies which occur freely in the matrix (cytosol) or remain attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

These are made up of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins.

Function:

They play a major role in the synthesis of proteins.

4. Mitochondria:

They are small rod-shaped organelles.

It is a double membrane structure with outer membrane being smooth and porous whereas inner membrane being thrown into a number of folds called cristae.

They contain their own DNA and ribosomes.

They are absent in bacteria and red blood cells of mammals.

Functions:

→ They are the sites of cellular respiration, hence provide energy for the vital activities of living cells.

→ They store energy releases during reactions, in the form of ATP (Energy currency of the cell). Therefore, they are also called ‘power house’ of the cell.

5. Centrosome and Centrioles:

Centrosome is found only in eukaryotic animal cells. It is not bounded by any membrane but consists of centrioles.

Centroles are hollow cylindrical structures arranged at right angle to each other and made up of microtubules.

Function:

Centrioles help in cell division and also help in the formation of cilia and flagella.

6. Plastids:

Plastids are present in most of the plant cells and absent in animal cells.

They are usually spherical or discoidal in shaped and double membrane bound organelles.

They also have their own DNA and ribosomes.

Plastids are of three types:

(a) Chloroplasts: These are the green coloured plastids containing chlorophyll. Chloroplasts aid in the manufacture food by the process of photosynthesis.

(b) Chromoplasts: These are the colourful plastids (except green colour).

Function:

→ Chloroplasts trap solar ebergy and utilise it to manufacture food for the plant.

→ Chromoplasts impart various colours to flowers to attract insects for pollination.

→ Lecuoplasts help in the storage of food in the form of starch, proteins and fats.

7. Lysosomes:

Lysosomes are small, spherical, sac like structures which contain several digestive enzymes enclosed in a membrane.

They are found in eukaryotic cells mostly in animals.

Functions:

→ Lysosomes help in digestion of foreign substances and worn-out cell organelles.

→ They provide protection against bacteria and virus.

→ They help to keep the cell clean.

→ During the disturbance in cellular metabolism, for example when the cell gets damaged, lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own cell. Therefore, lysosomes are also known as suicide bags of a cell

8. Vacuoles:

Vacuoles are liquid/solid filled and membrane bound organelles.

In plant cells, vacuoles are large and permanent. In animal cells, vacuoles are small In size and temporary.

In mature plant cell, It occupies 90% space of cell volume.

Due to its size, other organelles, including nucleus shift towards plasma membrane.

Function:

→ They help to maintain the osmotic pressure in a cell.

→ They provide turgidity and rigidity to the plant cell.

9. Peroxiomes:

They are small and spherical organelles containing powerful oxidative enzymes.

They are bounded by a single membrane.

They are found in kidney and liver cells.

Function:

→ They are specialized to carry out some oxidative reactions, such as detoxification or removal of toxic substances form cell.

Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell:

S. No.

Animal cell

Plant cell

Animal cells are generally small in size.

Plant cells are larger than animal cells.

Cell wall is absent.

Plasma membrane of plant cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall of cellulose.

Plastids are absent except in case of protozoan Euglena.

Plastids are present.

Here vacuoles are many, small and temporary.

They have a permanent and large central sap vacuole.

They have centrosome and centrioles.

They lack centrosome and centrioles.

Structure of Plant cell and Animal cell:

Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell

Try the following questions:

Q1. What is the characteristic of nuclear envelope?

Q2. Where does ATP synthesis occur in mitochondria?

Q3. What would happen if the plasma membrane ruptures or break down?

Q4. Why are lysosomes known as suicide bags?

Q5. Which cell organelle is also known as the ‘Power house of the cell’ and why?

Also Check:

CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter-Wise Notes for 2021-2022

CBSE Class 9 Science Complete Study Material for 2021-2022

CBSE Class 9 Science The Fundamental Unit of Life Chapter Notes (Part-I)

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