Animal & plant cells
Animal cell structure
The main features of animal cells:
o They contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
o Cells do not have cellulose cell walls
o Their cells do not contain chloroplasts (so they are unable to carry
out photosynthesis)
o They contain carbohydrates stored as glycogen
Animal cell diagram
Plant cell structure
The main features of plant cells:
o They contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
o Cells have cell walls made out of cellulose
o They contain chloroplasts (so they can carry out photosynthesis)
o Carbohydrates are stored as starch or sucrose
Plant cell diagram
Plant and animal cell structure and function
Structure Function
Contains the DNA (genetic material) which controls the activities of the cell
Nucleus
A gel like substance composed of water and dissolved solutes
Supports the internal structures of the cell
Cytoplasm
Site of many chemical reactions (including anaerobic respiration)
Holds the cell together separating the inside of the cell from the outside
Cell membrane Controls which substances enter or leave the cell
Found in the cytoplasm
Ribosomes The site of protein synthesis
The site of aerobic respiration
Mitochondria
Cell structure diagram
An animal and plant cell as seen under a light microscope
Plant cell structure and function
Structure Function
Made of cellulose (a polymer of glucose)
Cell wall Gives the cell extra support, defining its shape
Contains the green chlorophyll pigment that absorbs light energy
Chloroplast for photosynthesis
Permanent Contains cell sap: a solution of sugar and salt
Used for storage of certain materials
vacuole Helps to support the shape of the cell
Bacteria cells
Bacteria cell structure
Bacteria, which have a wide variety of shapes and sizes, all share the following
biological characteristics:
o They are microscopic single-celled organisms
o Possess a cell wall (made of peptidoglycan, not cellulose), cell
membrane, cytoplasm and ribosomes
o Lack a nucleus but contain a circular chromosome of DNA that floats
in the cytoplasm
o Plasmids are sometimes present - these are small rings of DNA (also
floating in the cytoplasm) that contain extra genes to those found in the
chromosomal DNA
o They lack mitochondria, chloroplasts and other membrane-bound
organelles found in animal and plant cells
Some bacteria also have a flagellum (singular) or several flagella (plural).
These are long, thin, whip-like tails attached to bacteria that allow them
to move
Examples of bacteria include:
o Lactobacillus (a rod-shaped bacterium used in the production of yoghurt
from milk)
o Pneumococcus (a spherical bacterium that acts as the pathogen causing
pneumonia)
Bacteria cell diagram
Identifying cell structures & function
Within the cytoplasm, the following organelles are visible in almost all cells
except prokaryotes when looking at higher magnification (ie using an electron
microscope):
o Mitochondria (singular: mitochondrion) are organelles found throughout
the cytoplasm
o Ribosomes are tiny structures that can be free within the cytoplasm or
attached to a system of membranes within the cell known
as Endoplasmic Reticulum
o Endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes looks rough under the
microscope; this gives rise to its name of Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum (often shortened to R.E.R.)
o Vesicles can also be seen using a higher magnification - these are small
circular structures found moving throughout the cytoplasm
Identifying cell structures under a microscope
Structures in an animal cell visible under a light microscope and an electron
microscope
Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
Cells can be classified into two groups depending on whether they contain
a nucleus.
Cells that have a nucleus, such as plant and animal cells, are
called eukaryotic cells and cells without a nucleus, such as bacteria, are
called prokaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells tend to be much simpler and smaller than eukaryotic
cells.
Organisms made up of eukaryotic cells are called eukaryotes and
organisms that are prokaryotic are called prokaryotes.
Eukaryotes are often multicellular (made up of many cells) whereas
prokaryotes are often single-celled (only one cell).