Eukaryotic Cell Structure

• Plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells.
• Bacteria cells are prokaryotic cells.
• In eukaryotic cells, genetic material is contained within a nucleus whilst in prokaryotic cells, DNA is loose.
• Eukaryotic cells are more complex and bigger than prokaryotic cells.
• Organelles are membrane bound in eukaryotic cells but aren't in prokaryotic cells.
• Nucleus contains coded genetic information in the form of DNA molecules.
• DNA directs the synthesis of all proteins required by the cell- in this way it controls the metabolic activities of the cell.
• Nucleus is the biggest single organelle.
• Nucleus is contained within a double membrane called the 'Nuclear envelope' to protect it from damage.
• The nuclear envelope contains nuclear pores which allow molecules to move in and out of the nucleus, however, the DNA is too large to leave.
• DNA associates with histones to form chromatin which forms chromosomes.
• The nucleolus is an area in the nucleus which is responsible for producing ribosomes.
• The nucleolus is composed of proteins and RNA (which is used to produce ribosomal RNA, rRNA, which is combined with proteins to form ribosomes to form ribosomes necessary for protein synthesis.
• Mitochondria are the site of the final stages of cellular respiration, where the energy stored in the bonds of complex organic molecules is made available for the cell to use by the production of ATP.
• Mitochondria have double membranes: the inner membrane is highly folded to form structures called cristae, and the fluid interior is called the matrix.
• The membrane forming cristae contains the enzymes used in aerobic respiration.
• MItochondria have their own DNA called mitochondrial (Mt) DNA.
• Mitochondria produce their own enzymes and reproduce themselves.
• The main function of the cell membrane is to control the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
• It also contains receptors for other molecules like hormones and also enables adjacent cells to stick together.