NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 8: Cell – Structure and Functions

The chapter starts by explaining about the discovery of the cell for the first time. We learn about the structure of a cell and its characteristics in this chapter. We also learn about the cellular composition of different organisms and the number of cells in different beings. We read about the body of the cell through diagrams. The chapter also tells us about the different functions of cells. We also read about the different parts of a cell in detail. The chapter concludes by giving us a comparison of cells of plants and animals.

• The cell was discovered in 1665 by Robert Hooke while examining a cork.
• Cells are basic structural units of an organism.
• There are two distinct types of organisms – multi-cellular organisms and unicellular organisms.
• Unicellular organisms have simple structures, while multi-cellular organisms are more complex.
• We learn about the shape of cells in both unicellular and multi-cellular organisms
• Cells are microscopic in size and invisible to the naked eye.
• The chapter also illustrates some exercises and experiments that would help students view simple household items like onion cells.
• Groups of cells form tissues, and numerous tissues form an organ.
• The chapter also tells us about the different and distinct parts of a cell.
• These include – the cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole, plastids, chloroplasts, etc.
• We also read about genes and chromosomes and how they help in determining the sex of a baby.
• The chapter concludes by comparing plants and animal cells with the help of diagrams and tables.