animal and plant cells 1.1.2

• nucleus controls all the activities of the cell and is surrounded by the nuclear membrane.
• nucleus contains the genes on the chromosomes that carry the instructions for making the proteins for new cells or organisms
• the cell membrane controls the passage of substances such as glucose or mineral ions into the cell
• the cytoplasm is a liquid gel in which the organelles are suspended and where most of the chemical reactions needed for life take place
• the mitochondria are structures in the cytoplasm where aerobic respiration takes place, releasing energy for the cell
• ribosomes are where protein synthesis takes place, making all the proteins for the cell
• the cellulose cell wall strengthens the plant and algal cells, giving it support
• chloroplasts are found in all green areas of a plant and contain the green substance chlorophyll which absorbs light so the plant can make food by photosynthesis
• the permanent vacuole is space in the cytoplasm filled with cell sap. this is important for keeping cells rigid
• animal cells contain: nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, ribosomes
• plant cells contain chloroplasts, cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes and a permanent vacuole
• organelle is a specialised subunit within a cell that has a specific function and can also be known as a sub-cellular structure