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The Cell - Structure of Plant and Animal Cells

Grade 6ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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The Cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms, first discovered by Robert Hooke in 16651665.

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The Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane) is a thin, delicate, and semi-permeable outer layer that regulates the entry and exit of substances.

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The Cell Wall is a rigid outer layer found only in plant cells, primarily composed of cellulosecellulose, providing shape and protection.

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The Nucleus is the 'brain' of the cell, containing genetic material in the form of DNADNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNARNA (Ribonucleic acid).

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Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance where various organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, and vacuoles are embedded.

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Mitochondria are known as the 'Powerhouse of the cell' because they release energy in the form of ATPATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) through cellular respiration.

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Vacuoles are large and permanent in plant cells (providing turgidity), while they are small and temporary or absent in animal cells.

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Plastids are organelles found only in plant cells; Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyllchlorophyll used for photosynthesis.

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Centrosomes are present only in animal cells and assist in cell division.

📐Formulae

6CO2+6H2O→ChlorophyllSunlightC6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow[Chlorophyll]{Sunlight} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+Energy (ATP)C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy (ATP)}

Magnification=Objective Lens×Eyepiece Lens\text{Magnification} = \text{Objective Lens} \times \text{Eyepiece Lens}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A student observes a cell under a microscope and notices a thick outer boundary and a large central empty space. Identify the cell type and the specific structures observed.

Solution:

The cell is a Plant Cell. The thick boundary is the Cell Wall and the large space is a Vacuole.

Explanation:

Animal cells lack a cellulosecellulose cell wall and typically have many small vacuoles rather than one large central vacuole.

Problem 2:

Explain the chemical process occurring in the Mitochondria using scientific notation.

Solution:

C6H12O6+6O2→6CO2+6H2O+EnergyC_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + Energy

Explanation:

Mitochondria oxidize glucose (C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6) in the presence of oxygen (O2O_2) to release carbon dioxide (CO2CO_2), water (H2OH_2O), and energy for cellular activities.

Problem 3:

Why are Chloroplasts absent in animal cells?

Solution:

Animal cells are heterotrophic and do not perform photosynthesis.

Explanation:

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyllchlorophyll, which is required to convert CO2CO_2 and H2OH_2O into glucose (C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6). Since animals consume food rather than synthesizing it from sunlight, they do not require plastids.