Cell biology

• Eukaryotic cells


  Cells that contain their genetic material enclosed in a nucleus
• Eukaryotic cells


  • Contain a nucleus
  • Contain a cell membrane
  • Contain cytoplasm
• Prokaryotic cells

  Cells where the genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus
• Prokaryotic cells


  • Do not have a nucleus
  • Have a cell membrane
  • Have a cell wall
  • Contain cytoplasm
  • May have plasmids
• Prokaryotic cells


  Are much smaller than eukaryotic cells
• Eukaryotes


  Organisms whose genetic material is enclosed in a nucleus
• Nucleus


  Encloses the genetic material
• Cytoplasm


  Watery solution where chemical reactions take place
• Cell membrane


  Controls the molecules that can enter and leave the cell
• Mitochondria


  Where aerobic respiration takes place
• Ribosomes


  Sites of protein synthesis
• Ribosomes are too small to be seen using a light microscope, an electron microscope is required
• Proteins carry out many functions, such as enzymes
• Plant cells have a regular shape, unlike animal cells which can easily change their shape
• Plant cells are packed full of green structures
• Nucleus

  Contains genetic material
• Cytoplasm


  Where chemical reactions take place
• Cell membrane


  Controls which molecules enter and leave the cell
• Mitochondria


  Carry out aerobic respiration
• Ribosomes


  Site of protein synthesis
• Plant cells


  • Have chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll and are sites of photosynthesis
  • Have a cell wall made from cellulose which strengthens the cell
  • Have a large permanent vacuole filled with cell sap which helps give the cell its shape
• Algae are very simple forms of plant life and also have a cellulose cell wall