Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford– Structure and Functions, introduces students to the basic unit of life: the cell. This chapter explains the discovery of cells, their types, structure, and functions in plants and animals. Understanding these concepts lays the foundation for more advanced biology topics in higher classes. Our solutions to the Oxford textbook exercises are designed to help students grasp key terms, answer questions accurately, and build a strong conceptual understanding with the help of clear explanations and relevant examples.

Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford Full Chapters

II. Very short answer type questions

A. Give one word for the following:

Cell – The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism
Multicellular – Organisms whose body consists of many cells
Prokaryotic cells – Cells that lack a well-defined nucleus
Organelle – A living membrane-bound body that has a definite shape and function
Mounting – The process of preparing the specimen on a slide
Pigments – Non-green pigments in plants that give color to flowers and fruits
Centrioles – They initiate cell division in animals

III. Short Answer Type Questions

What is a cell? How do cells differ from each other?
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Cells differ in their shape, size, and function depending on their role in the organism.
What is a prokaryotic cell? Give two examples.
Prokaryotic cells are cells without a well-defined nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Examples: Bacteria and Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).
What is a eukaryotic cell?
Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus enclosed by a membrane and contain membrane-bound organelles. All plants and animals are made up of eukaryotic cells.
What is mounting? Name two kinds of mounts that are generally prepared in the laboratory.
Mounting is the process of placing a specimen on a slide for microscopic observation. Two types of mounts are temporary mount and permanent mount.
Name the three main parts of a cell.
1. Cell membrane
1. Cytoplasm
1. Nucleus
What is an organelle? Name any two organelles found inside the nucleus.
Organelles are specialized structures inside cells that perform specific functions. Inside the nucleus, two organelles are the nucleolus and chromatin.
What does ER, RER, and SER stand for?
1. ER: Endoplasmic Reticulum
1. RER: Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (has ribosomes)
1. SER: Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (no ribosomes)
What are plastids? Name three kinds of plastids.
Plastids are organelles found in plant cells that contain pigments. Three types:
1. Chloroplasts (green pigment)
1. Chromoplasts (colored pigments)
1. Leucoplasts (colorless, store food)
What is a nucleolus?
The nucleolus is a small dense structure inside the nucleus that produces ribosomes.
What is cell division? Why do cells need to divide?
Cell division is the process by which a cell divides into two new cells. Cells divide to help growth, repair damaged tissues, and reproduce.

IV. Long Answer Type Questions

Explain how cells differ from each other in shape, size, and number.
Cells vary in shape depending on their function: for example, nerve cells are long and thin to carry signals, red blood cells are round and flat for easy flow, and plant cells are rectangular. Cell sizes vary from tiny bacteria to large egg cells. The number of cells depends on the organism: unicellular organisms have one cell, while multicellular organisms have millions or billions.
How would you prepare a slide of a human cheek for viewing?
1. Take a clean toothpick and gently scrape the inside of your cheek to collect some cells.
1. Place the cells on a clean glass slide.
1. Add a drop of water or methylene blue stain.
1. Cover with a cover slip carefully to avoid air bubbles.
1. Observe under the microscope.
With the help of a labelled diagram, explain the role of any five organelles present in the cytoplasm of a generalized cell.
Five organelles and their roles:
1. Mitochondria: Produces energy (powerhouse of the cell).
1. Ribosomes: Synthesize proteins.
1. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Helps in the transport of materials inside the cell.
1. Golgi apparatus: Processes and packages proteins.
1. Lysosomes: Digest waste materials and worn-out organelles.
With the help of a labelled diagram, explain the structure of a nucleus.
The nucleus is a large spherical organelle surrounded by a nuclear membrane with pores. Inside, it contains chromatin (DNA and proteins) and a nucleolus. The nucleus controls cell activities and stores genetic information.
Differentiate between plant and animal cells.

Feature	Plant Cell	Animal Cell
Cell wall	Present (made of cellulose)	Absent
Shape	Fixed, rectangular	Irregular, round
Chloroplasts	Present (for photosynthesis)	Absent
Vacuole	Large central vacuole	Small or absent
Lysosomes	Rarely present	Present
Centrioles	Absent in higher plants	Present
Storage of food	As starch	As glycogen
Plastids	Present (chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts)	Absent

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Understanding the basic unit of life is a key part of learning biology, and Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford covers this topic in a detailed and student-friendly way. Our solutions aim to simplify the concepts explained in Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford, helping students confidently answer textbook questions. By studying the structure and functions of cells, learners develop a foundation for future science topics. Whether you’re revising or preparing for exams, these explanations support a thorough understanding of Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford. Keep revisiting Class 8 Science Chapter 7 Cell Oxford concepts to strengthen your grasp and improve academic performance.