Cell: The Unit of Life

Class 11 Biology · Biology · Chapter 8

CBSE Class 11 community

View all
Physics, Chemistry, Maths + English
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Every subject, one purchase
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • + 3 more
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Physics, Chemistry, Biology + English
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Every subject, one purchase
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • + 3 more
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics + English
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Every subject, one purchase
  • Accountancy
  • Business Studies
  • + 3 more
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Biology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Accountancy
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Accountancy
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Hindi Elective
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • हिंदी
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Hindi Core
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • हिंदी
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Chemistry
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Chemistry
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Political Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Political Science
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Urdu Elective
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • اردو
  • ‏                                        Urdu Elective
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Hindustani Music (Vocal / Melodic)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • हिंदुस्तानी संगीत
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Home Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Home Science
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
English Core
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Hornbill
  • Snapshots
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Geography
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 3 books, one purchase
  • Geography
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Sociology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Sociology
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Economics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Economics
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Physics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
All 2 books, one purchase
  • Physics
~7 pages per kitPage 1 free
Mathematics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
TrendingRevise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Physics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Physics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Chemistry
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Chemistry
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Accountancy
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
TrendingRevise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Accountancy
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Business Studies
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Economics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Economics
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
History
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Geography
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Geography
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Geography
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Political Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Political Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Sociology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Sociology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Psychology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
English Core · Hornbill
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
English Core · Snapshots
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
English Elective · Woven Words
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदी (आधार)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदी (आधार)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदी (ऐच्छिक)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदी (ऐच्छिक)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
संस्कृतम् (केन्द्रिकम्)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
संस्कृत (ऐच्छिक)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
اردو (کور)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
اردو (اختیاری)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
‏                                        Urdu Elective
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Computer Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Informatics Practices
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
TrendingRevise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Home Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Home Science
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Fine Art · Painting
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Biotechnology
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Knowledge Traditions
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
सृजनात्मक लेखन और अनुवाद
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Health and Physical Education
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदुस्तानी संगीत (गायन / वादन)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदुस्तानी संगीत (गायन / वादन)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
हिंदुस्तानी संगीत (तबला / पखावज)
~140days leftAnnual exams · school dates varyFeb–Mar 2027 · school-specific · tentative
Revise all of it in about an hour
  • Space weighted by unit marks
  • Charts from the book's own data
  • Traps corrected
Only 7 pagesPage 1 free
Browse all 60 kits →

Summary

This chapter establishes the cell as the fundamental structural and functional unit of life and compares prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The cell theory, formulated by Schleiden and Schwann and completed by Virchow (who showed cells arise from pre-existing cells), states that all organisms are made of cells and products of cells. Prokaryotic cells, found in bacteria, cyanobacteria, mycoplasma and PPLO, lack a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles; they have a cell envelope (glycocalyx, cell wall, plasma membrane), genomic DNA with plasmids, mesosomes, ribosomes (70S), inclusion bodies, and surface structures such as flagella, pili and fimbriae. Eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. The chapter describes the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane, the cell wall, and the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vacuoles). It then covers the double-membraned mitochondria (power houses producing ATP) and plastids (chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts), ribosomes (80S in eukaryotes), the cytoskeleton, cilia and flagella with their 9+2 axoneme, centrosome and centrioles, and the nucleus with its envelope, nucleolus, chromatin and chromosomes classified by centromere position.

Cell theory and overview of the cellProkaryotic cell: envelope, ribosomes, inclusionsPlasma membrane and cell wallEndomembrane system: ER, Golgi, lysosomes, vacuolesMitochondria, plastids and ribosomesCytoskeleton, cilia, centrosome and nucleus

Key terms

Cell theory
The principle that all living organisms are composed of cells and that all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
Prokaryotic cell
A cell lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, as in bacteria.
Fluid mosaic model
The model of the plasma membrane (Singer and Nicolson) in which proteins move laterally within a fluid lipid bilayer.
Endomembrane system
The coordinated organelles ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vacuoles.
Mesosome
An infolding of the plasma membrane in prokaryotes aiding cell wall formation, DNA replication and respiration.
Centromere
The primary constriction of a chromosome bearing the kinetochores, used to classify chromosome types.

Extra questions & answers

Try one from this chapter
The cell theory was formulated by:
Flashcards & interactive practice

Practice quiz · Cell: The Unit of Life

Score on this chapter, climb the leaderboard, and get an AI diagnosis of your mistakes.

Dual AI-verified questions Real exam pattern 1 free quiz every month, then ₹9 per quiz — or a monthly plan

#1

Cell: The Unit of Life

Start here
Biology 10 Qs · ~10 min

Instant score, answer review and weak-topic diagnosis

10/10avg score
10/10best

Data & insights

Trending in Class 11 this weekThe chapters students are reading most right now
  1. 1IntroductionEconomics
  2. 2The AdventureEnglish
  3. 3The Portrait of a LadyEnglish
See the full ranking