Biology Form 4 short notes

Chapter 2- Cell Structure and Cell Organisation

2.2 Cell Organisation

Cell organisation in unicellular organisms.

-Unicellular organisms consist of one cell.
-The structure is very simple.
-These organisms can feed, respire, excrete and move. They also respond
to external stimuli.
-Examples of unicellular organisms are Amoeba sp. and Paramecium sp.

Amoeba sp.
-Amoeba lives in freshwater lakes and ponds.
-The cytoplasm is enclosed by a plasma membrane.
-Changes shape when meets stimuli and obstacle.
-The outer part is called ectoplasm and the inner part is endoplasm
-Amoeba moves and feeds by using pseudopodia. Also called as ‘false feet’.
The locomotion is called as ‘ameboid movement’.
-Amoeba reproduces by binary fission (asexual reproduction).
-Grows by synthesising new cytoplasm.

Paramecium sp.
-Has fixed slipper-like shape.
-The surface is covered by tiny hair projection called cilia.
-Has two nuclei- macronucleus- for metabolism control and asexual
reproduction. –Micronucleus- for sexual reproduction.
-It moves by beating the cilia.
-Feeds on microscopic organisms.
-Reproduces asexually and sexually. In favourable condition, could
reproduce rapidly by binary fission. Sexual reproduction, also known as
conjugation takes place when condition is not favourable.
-Also grows by synthesising new cytoplasm.