structure of eukaryotic cells

• eukaryotic cells

  • animal
  • Plant
  • Fungi
  • Algal
• What structures does a eukaryotic cell contain

  • plasma membrane

  - nucleus ( nucleolus , nucleoplasm , nuclear envelope that has nuclear pores )

  • mitochondria
  • Chloroplast (algae and plant cells )
  • Golgi apparatus (looks like it’s been punched so it’s curved)
  • Lysosomes
  • Ribosome
  • rough endoplasmic reticulum
  • smooth endoplasmic reticulum
  • Cell wall ( plant, algae and fungal)
  • Cell vacuole (plants )
• Eukaryotic cells contain membrane bound organelles

  Nucleus , endoplasmic reticulum , mitochondria , chloroplast , Golgi and lysosomes
• What is benefit of membrane bound organelles

  It allows chemical reactions to take place quickly and efficiently as the chemicals involved in particular processes are kept separate from the rest of the cytoplasm.
• Difference’s prokaryotic and eukaryotic

  Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells

  They have linear dna

  They are more complex
• Plasma membrane structure and function 


  1. Made of a phospholipid bilateral and contains transport proteins
  2. Controls what enters and exits a cell
• Nucleus structure and function 


  Controls the cell

  And contains chromatin ( linear Dna and histones)
• Nucleolus structure and function 


  1. Small spherical body in the nucleoplasm
  2. Makes rRNA and assembles ribosomes
• Nuclear envelope structure and function

  • Double membrane that surrounds the nucleus and it has nuclear pores
  • Allows stuff to enter and leave the nucleus like mRNA
• Mitochondria structure and function

  • Double membrane that surround the organelle the inner membrane folds to form Cristae
  • Cristae contains enzymes and the large surface area allows more catalysation during respiration
  • Inner membrane has a fluid called matrix which contains proteins , lipids and circular mitochondrial dna
  • Aerobic respiration to produce ATP
• Golgi apparatus structure and function

  • Flattened stacks of membranes that forms Cisternae and vesicles which are seen coming of the edge
  • Processes , modifies and packages proteins and lipids into vesicles
  • Produce lysosomes
• • lysosomes structure and function

  Membrane bound vesicles that carry specific stuff (lysozymes)

  • Stores hydrolytic enzymes that hydrolyse unwanted cell peices and carry out phagocytosis
• • Ribosomes structure and function
  • Made of rRNA and proteins
  • they can be attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum or be free in the cytoplasm
  • Synthesises proteins from amino acids
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum

  • System of membranes that interconnect with ribosomes on the outside
  • Ribosomes synthesis proteins and RER folds the proteins and processes them
• Smooth endoplasmic membranes structure and function

  • Similar to rough ER just there isn’t ribosomes on their surface
  • Synthesis lipids and non protein products
• Cell wall

  Plant and algal cell wall = cellulose

  fungal cell wall = chitin

  Function - strength and support prevent osmotic lysis
• Vacuole 


  • Stores cell sap
  • Gives a cell rigidity and helps to prevent osmotic lysis
• Chloroplast 


  • Surrounded by a double membrane
  • Inner membrane forming a structure called thylakoid which Stack to form grana
  • Solution called stroma which contain enzymes for photosynthesis and circular dna
  • function - absorb sunlight for photosynthesis
• Tissue

  Group of similar cells that serve a particular function
• Organ - heart or leaf

  Groups of tissues that serve a particular function
• Organ system

  Groups of interacting organs forming a complex functional whole
• Common things to look out for in cell specialisation include;

  1. How many mitochondria? Lots will mean it requires a lot of energy

  2. Surface area – does it have large SA? This will mean it is good at

  absorption / exchange

  3. Surface area to volume ratio – very similar to above; shapes that

  are long and thin lead to better diffusion / exchange

  4. Lots of ribosomes? This will mean the cell needs to synthesise a lot

  of protein

  5. Lots of chloroplasts? The cell will have a high rate of

  photosynthesis, therefore it will be in a position on the plant that

  is near light, such as the palisade cell