Cell Structure

Cell Structure

Animal Cells

• Animal cells are the basic units of structure and function in animal organisms.
• The main parts of an animal cell are: the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, ribosomes, and mitochondria.
• The nucleus is the control centre of the cell which contains genetic material that controls the cells’ activities.
• The gel-like cytoplasm is where most of the cell’s metabolic reactions occur.
• The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that controls the entry and exit of substances.
• Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis.
• The mitochondria is where aerobic respiration happens and energy is released.

Plant Cells

• Plant cells also include the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, ribosomes and mitochondria but have a few extra structures: the cell wall, chloroplasts, and large permanent vacuole.
• The rigid cell wall made of cellulose provides support and shape to the cell.
• Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis and contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for photosynthesis.
• The large permanent vacuole stores water and dissolved solutes which helps in maintaining the cell’s turgidity.

Bacterial Cells

• Unlike animal and plant cells, bacterial cells are prokaryotic, meaning they do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.
• The genetic material in bacterial cells is a single DNA loop.
• Bacterial cells have a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and ribosomes, similar to plant and animal cells.
• Some bacterial cells may also have flagella for movement and slime capsule for protection.

Cell Organisation

• The organisation of cells into tissues, organs, organ systems, and eventually, a whole organism, is what allows complex life forms to exist and function.
• Each level of organisation has specific roles, and the functioning of the whole organism depends on the integrated and coordinated functioning of these different levels.