Cell types & structures

• Cells


  The basic building blocks of life that can replicate independently
• Multicellular organisms like animals and plants contain many cells that divide to grow or replace dead cells, not to create new organisms
• Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotic organisms
• Subcellular structures common to animal and plant cells

  • Cell membrane
  • Nucleus
  • Cytoplasm
  • Mitochondria
  • Ribosomes
• Plant cells


  • Have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose
  • Contain a permanent vacuole with cell sap
  • Contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis
• Bacterial cells


  • Lack mitochondria and chloroplasts
  • Have a single circular strand of DNA instead of a nucleus
  • May have additional plasmids
  • May have flagella for movement
• Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, using chlorophyll to absorb light energy
• Aerobic respiration in mitochondria releases energy for the cell