Chapter 5. The Fundamental Unit of Life

Introduction to Cell

* Robert Hooke observed many tiny, hollow, room-like structures in a thin slice of cork through a compound microscope and called them cells.
* Organisms with single cell are called unicellular organisms.
* Organisms with multiple cells are called multicellular organisms.
* Prokaryotes do not have nuclear membranes and membrane bound organelles.
* Eukaryotes have a membrane bound nucleus and organelles.

Cell Structure


* The cell is the fundamental and structural unit of life.

* The plasma membrane is selectively permeable as it allows the movement of some substances in and out of the cell.
* The nucleus controls cell division and cell development. The cytoplasm is a clear, thick, jelly-like material with water, organic compounds and organelles.
* The cytoplasm includes organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria, vacuoles and plastids.

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