AS LEVEL BIOLOGY NOTES

OF
CELL STRUCTURES
Magnification:

Magnification can be defined as the number of times larger an image is than the real size of the object.

Magnification=Observed size of image/Actual Size

i.e. M=I/A

Resolution:

Resolution is the ability to distinguish between two very close points as separate points. Resolution is inversely proportional to the
wavelength of source used. Higher the resolution greater the detail can be seen.

MICROSCOPE
1. LIGHT MICROSCOPE
Light as a source of radiation to create an image.
Maximum Magnification=X1500
Maximum Resolution= 200 nm
Both living and dead body can be viewed.

2. ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
Electron as a source of radiation to create an image.
Maximum Magnification=X250000
Maximum Resolution= 0.5 nm
Only dead body can be viewed

PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

PROKARYOTES
Average Diameter: 0.5-5 Micrometer
DNA is naked , circular and lies free in the cytoplasm
70 S ribosomes
Absence of Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum , Golgi bodies etc.
Cell wall made of Murein or Peptidoglycan.

EUKARYOTES
Average Diameter: 40 Micrometer
DNA is linear and is contained in a nucleus
Both 70S and 80S ribosomes 80S in cytoplasm and 70S in Mitochondria and Chloroplast.
Cell wall made of cellulose, lignin and chitin
Presence of Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum , Golgi bodies etc.
 ORGANELLES

A. SINGLE MEMBRANE BOUNDED:

LYSOSOMES
0.1-0.5 Micrometer in diameter
Not visible with LM (Light Microscope)
Contains Hydrolytic Enzyme
Responsible for breakdown for unwanted structures such as old organelles, digest bacteria, damaged
cells etc.

GOLGI BODY
Not visible with Light Microscope (LM)
It consists of cisternae, tubules and vesicles.
Responsible for modification and transport of proteins by exocytosis

VACUOLES
Not Visible with LM.
Contains enzymes or minerals or any waste products

ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Not Visible with LM.
Covered with many ribosomes.
Consists of cisternae
Transports proteins and synthesis proteins made by ribosomes on its Surface.
 SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
Not Visible with LM.
Consists of cisternae
It synthesis and store lipids and steroids.

B. DOUBLE MEMBRANE BOUNDED:

ALL THE DOUBLE MEMBRANE BOUNDED ORGANELLES
CONTAINS:
70S RIBOSOMES
mRNA
DNA
So they are able to carry out translation and protein synthesis.

NUCLEUS
Visible with LM
Nucleolus synthesis ribosomes
DNA Replication and Transcription take place here
Control the cells activities
10 Micrometer in Diameter ( largest organelle)

MITOCHONDRIA
Visible with LM
1 Micrometer in diameter Same as size of bacteria
Consists of cristae
It is site of aerobic respiration
It releases energy in the form of ATP
 CHLOROPLASTS
Visible with LM
Consists of Grana
(3-10) Micrometer In diameter
Site of Photosynthesis
C. NO MEMBRANE BOUNDED:

RIBOSOMES
Not visible with LM
Made of rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and proteins and consists of 2 subunits.
Site of protein synthesis
Free ribosome for use within the same cell.
Attached ribosome for transport

CENTRIOLES
200 nm in Diameter
Visible with high resolution LM
Acts as microtubule organizing center in some organisms and helps in beating movements of some organisms
Centrosomes acts as Micro Tubule Organizing centers for the formation of spindle fibers during nuclear
division

MICROTUBULES
25 nm in diameter
Not Visible with LM
Made of protein called tubulin
Acts as Cytoskeleton and helps in determining shape
Intracellular transport system
Forms Centrioles and formation of spindle fibers
 OTHERS ORGANELLES

MICROVILLI
Finger like projection
Increases the surface area of cell surface membrane for reabsorption.

CELL SURFACE MEMBRANE

Partially permeable
7 nm in diameter
Not visible with LM