Science
Cells:
Cells are very small, so large organisms contain
millions of cells. They are multicellular. Some
organisms are unicellular, which means that they are
made of just a single cell. Bacteria and yeast are
examples of single-celled organisms.
Cell Membrane:
The cell membrane is a very thin layer of protein and
fat. It is very important to the cell because it controls
what goes in and out of it. It is said to be partially
permeable which means that it will let some
substances through but not others. It is difficult to
see the cell membrane in a plant cell, because it is
pressed tightly against the inside of the cell wall.
Cell Wall:
All plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall made
mainly of cellulose. Paper, which is made from cell
walls, is also made of cellulose. Animal cells never
have cell walls. Cellulose belongs to a group of
substances called polysaccharides. Cellulose forms
fibres which criss-cross over one another to form a
very strong covering to the cell. This helps to protect
and support the cell. If the cell absorbs a lot of water
and swells, the cell wall stops it bursting.
Cytoplasm:
Cytoplasm is a clear jelly. It is nearly all water, about
70% is water in many cells. It contains many
substances dissolved in it, especially proteins. Many
different metabolic reactions (the chemical reactions
of life) take place in the cytoplasm.
Vacuole:
A vacuole is a fluid-filled space inside a cell which is
surrounded by its own membrane. Plant cells have
very large and permanent vacuoles, which contain a
solution of sugars and other substances called cell
sap. When a vacuole is full, it presses outwards on
the rest of the cell and helps to keep its shape.
Animal cells have much smaller vacuoles, called
vesicles, which also contain solutions.
Nucleus:
The nucleus (plural: nuclei) is where the genetic
information is stored. The information is kept on the
chromosomes, which are inherited from the
organism’s parents. The chromosomes are made of
DNA. The information carried on the DNA
determines the kinds of proteins that are made in the
cell. Chromosomes are very long, but so thin that
they cannot easily be seen even using an electron
microscope. However, when the cell is dividing, they
become short and thick, and can be seen with a
good light microscope.
Chloroplasts:
Chloroplasts are never found in animal cells, but
most of the cells in the green parts of plants have
them. They contain the green colouring or pigment
called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs energy from
sunlight, and this energy is then used in making food
for the plant, in a process called photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts often contain starch grains, which have
been made by photosynthesis. Animal cells never
contain starch grains.
Mitochondria:
All the structures we have looked at so far – cell
membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, vacuoles, nucleus
and chloroplasts – can be seen with a good light
microscope. There are also structures in animal and
plant cells that are too small to see with a light
microscope. These structures can only be seen
using an electron microscope such as Mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the parts of the cell where aerobic
respiration happens. This is how energy is released
from glucose. Aerobic respiration is the main way in
which cells get the energy that they need to stay
alive. The more active a cell is, the more
mitochondria it has. Muscle cells, for example, are
packed full of mitochondria.
Ribosomes:
Ribosomes are tiny structures found in almost all
animal cells and plant cells. They are so small that
we can only see them with an electron microscope.
Ribosomes are where the cell makes proteins. The
instructions on the DNA molecules are used to link
together long chains of amino acids, in a particular
sequence.
Animal Cell Diagram
Red Blood Cells:
Red Blood Cells are Biconcave meaning the cell has
a dent on both sides which makes them flexible to
pass through the thinnest capillaries. There is no
nucleus. Cells are completely filled with hemoglobin
so that oxygen can be transported.
Nerve Cells:
Nerve Cells are elongated to pass electrical
impulses through the body. The Nerve cell has
branches to connect itself to the muscles, or to the
other cells.
Muscle Cells:
Muscle Cells are cylinder and elongated so they can
contract and relax which helps in movement.
Root Hair Cells:
Root Hair Cells have a long projection to absorb
water and nutrients.