Cell: The Unit of Life — Question 8

The major functions are as follows-

1. Plasma membrane —

   1. Separates contents of cell from its surroundings.
   2. Regulates the entry of certain solutes and ions.
   3. Maintains shape of the cell in animal cells.

2. Ribosome —

   1. Protein synthesis

3. Lysosome —

   1. Intracellular digestion.
   2. Destroy foreign substances.
   3. They are referred to as 'suicidal bags' as they destroy cell organelles when they turn old or are damaged.
   4. Digest cartilages during formation of bones.

4. Mitochondria —

   1. Controls the cell functions.
   2. Referred to as ‘power house of the cell’, as energy is stored in the form of ATP.
   3. Involved in cellular respiration to release energy.
   4. Bearers of genes.

5. Golgi apparatus(in animal cells) —

   1. Synthesis and secretion of enzymes, hormones,etc.
   2. Acrosomes of sperms are formed.

6. Cytoplasm —

   1. Contains organelles perform multitude of functions.
   2. Performs all metabolic activities.

7. Asters of centrosome —

   1. Cell division – regulation and initiation.
   2. Spindle fibre formation.

8. Chromosomes —

   1. Passes genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.

9. Glycogen granule —

   1. Food for cells.

10. Vacuoles —

    1. Stores food, water, pigments and waste products.
    2. Renders turgidity to the plant cell.