Page 8 - Biology_F5

One
Chapter

Cytology

FOR ONLINE READING ONLY

Introduction

All living organisms are made up of units called cells. A cell is the basic structural,
fundamental and functional unit of life. Understanding and learning about cells
supports the learning of other biological processes. In this chapter, you will learn
about the concept of cytology, Cell theory, organelles and biological molecules. The
competences developed will enable you to appreciate the importance of cells and their
role in living organisms.

organised into groups to form different
Think structures that perform various functions.

The existence of life without cells Robert Hooke, who is also known as the
father of cytology, was the first scientist to
1.1 Concept of cytology study the cell structure using a primitive
Task 1.1 microscope. In 1665, he examined a
Search from the library and internet cross-section of the bark of a cork tree and
sources on the concept of cytology and observed its structure (Figure 1.1).
Cell theory, then write short notes on He found that the cork was made up of
the searched information. small chambers surrounded by walls; he
gave the spaces the name “cell” meaning
Cytology is the branch of biology that “little room” or “cavity”. He thought the
deals with the study of the structure objects he had discovered looked like the
and function of the cells. The cell is the individual rooms in a monastery, which
basic structural and functional unit of were known as cells. The cells observed
all organisms. All living organisms may
be composed of a single or many cells. by Hooke gave no indication of the
The unicellular organisms consist of a nucleus and other organelles found in most
single cell while multicellular organisms living cells. However, in his invention,
consist of multiple cells. For multicellular Hooke did not discover the true biological
organisms, the cells are differentiated and function of cells.

1