Maris Stella High School
GCE O Level Science Biology
2011 GEP Lesson 1
Cells & Nutrients
Nucleus
-Surrounded by nuclear
membrane (separates
nucleus from surrounding
cytoplasm).
Contains:
a) CHROMATIN
(contains DNA and
proteins). Chromatin
controls cell division, cell
repair and cell activities
b) Spherical structures
called nucleoli (in charge
of building proteins)
** Cells without nucleus
eg red blood cells have a
short life span
Name: ___________________
Class (Index No.): _____ ( )
Date: ________________
SUMMARY
Cytoplasm Cell Surface/Plasma
Membrane
-Forms larger part of the -Partially/Selectively
cell permeable
-controls substances
leaving and entering the
cell.
Contains: Contains:
a) Mitochondria (rod Proteins and lipids that
shaped structures) [in control movement of
charge of releasing substances in and out of
energy from cell the cell
respiration: Look at
chapter on Respiration.
Energy used for growth
and reproduction
b) Vacuoles (fluid filled
space enclosed by a
membrane). Contain
water and food
substances.
** Animal cells have **May surround vacuoles
many small temporary in the cell: Tonoplast
vacuoles. Plant cells
have 1 big permanent
vacuole
1
 Differentiation in cells

Differentiated cell Adaptations to function

Root hair cell - Long and narrow (increase

surface area to volume ratio for
absorption of water and mineral
salts from the soil)
- Concentrated cell sap:
encourages absorption of water
from the soil by osmosis
- Large central vacuole: Holds
more cell sap which in turn
encourages absorption of water.

Red blood cell -Cytoplasm contains haemoglobin (red

pigment) that is used to transport
oxygen
-Flat and biconcave shape (increase
surface area to volume ratio for oxygen
to diffuse in and out of the cell quickly)
-Absence of nucleus: More space to
carry haemoglobin to transport oxygen

Xylem vessels
** Narrow and cylindrical tube (like a - Aids water movement by capillary
straw) action
** Empty space inside the xylem is - No cross walls and protoplasm
called LUMEN, No protoplasm  (Hollow lumen). This allows water and
DEAD structure mineral salts to move quickly and easily
through the lumen.
- Lignin makes walls strong. This
** Contains lignin prevents collapse of the vessel. It
supports the plant.
** Join many xylem vessels together 
Wood is formed. -

2
(A) Carbohydrates

Composition C, H, O (Ratio is 1:2:1)

Examples Sugars (GGFMLS, starch, Sugars ( 2 types)

cellulose, Glycogen)
*** Saccharides refer to
sugar
a)Simple sugars
(monosaccharides) GGF
Examples: glucose (found in
animals), galactose (milk
sugar. Common in mammals
only), fructose (found in
plants, uncommon in animals)
b) Complex sugars
(dissacharides and
polysaccharides).
Disaccharides: MLS
Sucrose: Glucose + Fructose
Lactose: Glucose + Galactose
Maltose: Glucose + Glucose
*** Glycogen, Starch and
cellulose are polysaccharides
*** Glycogen is known as
animal starch. It is found in
animals and fungi. Stored
mainly in the liver and
muscles.

Functions -Source of energy

-Form supporting structures eg cellulose cell wall
-Can be converted into other organic compounds like amino
acids, fats
-Needed to form nucleic acids like DNA
-Synthesize lubricants eg mucus that traps in the trachea
-Produce nectar

Test for reducing Benedicts’s Test: Brick Red Precipitate is formed.

sugar (GGFML)

Test for starch Iodine test: Starch turns iodine solution from brown to blue
black.

3
(B) Fats

Composition Carbon, hydrogen, Broken down to form 1

oxygen glycerol and 3 fatty acids
(NO fixed proportion)

Examples Saturated Animal fat Produce MORE energy

(butter, cheese, fatty than carbohydrates
meat, liver of fish like
shark and cod, salmon
and Unsaturated
vegetable fat (palm oil,
coconut oil, sunflower oil,
corn oil)

Functions -Energy store

-Insulating material (prevent excessive heat loss)
Example: Whales have a thick layer of blubber (fat)
underneath the skin to retain body heat.
-Solvent for fat-soluble vitamins and other important
substances
-Constituent of protoplasm (Cell surface membrane)
-Restrict (slow down) water loss from the skin. This
slows down rate of heat loss from the skin.

Test for fat Ethanol emulsion test: White ppt is formed, Test
Tube feels warm.

(C) Proteins

Composition Carbon, Broken down to

hydrogen, form amino acids
oxygen.
NITROGEN Proteins 
polypeptides
(peptones) 
amino acids
Sulphur and
phosphorus
may be present
also AA- Amino Acid

4
 Examples Meat, fish, chicken, duck, peas
beans, nuts, eggs

Functions -Synthesize protoplasm (for growth

and repair of worn out cells)
-Synthesize enzymes and
hormones
-Source of energy
-Formation of antibodies

Test for proteins Biuret Test: Violet solution is

formed.

(D) Water

1 Medium for building of cellular structures

2 Good solvent for many salts and organic compounds

3 Solvent in which many important reactions in the body take place (eg:
solvent for the lubricant found in the joints)

4 Involved in transport of materials like digested food substances, excretory

products, hormones

5 Needed for hydrolysis reactions and photosynthesis (for GREEN

PLANTS ONLY)

6 Regulate body temperature (Excess heat is removed by the evaporation

of sweat from the skin using latent heat)

5
Revision Questions
1) The nucleus of a unicellular organism e.g. amoeba was removed carefully in a laboratory. The
cell survived and was watched carefully for a few days. Which one of the following activities of
the organism will cease due to the nucleus being removed?
(A) Excretion
(B) Locomotion
(C) Respiration
(D) Reproduction ( )

2) ‘K’ is the region of a matured plant cell between cell surface membrane and nucleus. Which
one of the following best describes ‘K’?

(A) Its content is non-protoplasmic.

(B) It is involved in cell division.
(C) It is a colloidal and can exist in two states.
(D) It is spherical and contains chromatin. ( )

3) Which of the following are present in animal cells only?

(A) Chloroplasts
(B) Centrioles
(C) Ribosomes
(D) Cell surface membrane ( )

4) Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic condition in which the red blood cells of the patient are
abnormally shaped. This is shown in the diagram below.

(a) Suggest one effect of this condition on the patient.

________________________________________________________________
(b) Explain the effect stated on (a).
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5) The table below shows an experiment carried out by a student.
6
 Step Food Substance added Observations
substance
under test
1 X Iodine solution Iodine solution turns blue-
black.
2 X Benedict’s solution Solution remains blue.
3 X Y Z is formed.
4 Z Benedict’s solution A brick-red precipitate is
formed.

(a) Identify X, Y and Z.

X: ___________________________

Y: ___________________________

Z: ___________________________

(b) The table below shows the mean daily intake of some food substances in the human diet
and the mean daily loss of substances in the faeces.

Food substances Mean daily intake Mean daily loss

/gram per day /gram per day
Starch 300 4
Protein 100 6
Fat 100 5
Cellulose 250 250

(i) It is suggested that humans should derive less than 30% fat requirement from their food
intake. Suggest why the fat content of the diet should be controlled.

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(ii) With reference to the process involved in carbohydrate digestion, explain the difference in
starch content and cellulose content in the faeces.

________________________________________________________________
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(iii) State one function of cellulose in plants.

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6) Differentiate tonoplast from middle lamella
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