Lesson 1: Different types of cell

• Different parts of a cell are called organelles
• The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves a cell.
• The nucleus controls the cell activities, and contains the cell information.
• The cytoplasm is where many of the reactions occur within the cell.
• The ribosomes are where proteins are made.
• The mitochondria is where respiration takes place.
• Chloroplasts are a plant specific organelle which is where photosynthesis occurs.
• The cell wall is a plant specific organelle, providing structure and support, and is made out of cellulose.
• The vacuole is a plant specific organelle which stores sap, an energy store, and helps with water movement.
• The organelles specific to a plant include:

  • Chloroplasts
  • Cell wall
  • Vacuole
• Plant and animal cells both have cell membranes, mitochondria, a nucleus, cytoplasm and ribosomes.
• Cells can either be eukaryotic or prokaryotic.
• Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic.
• Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus surrounded by a membrane, and have a lot of specialised organelles (like mitochondria).
• Prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells, generally don't have DNA in a nucleus, and have fewer organelles.
• Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:

  • have DNA
  • have cytoplasm
  • have cell membranes
• • 1000µm = 1mm.
  • 1000nm = 1µm.
• µm stands for micrometres, while nm stands for nanometres.