cell structure

• Cells


  The basic units of living organisms
• Types of organisms based on cell type

  • Single-celled organisms (e.g. Amoeba)
  • Multicellular organisms (e.g. adult human with over 37 trillion cells)
• Basic types of cells

  • Eukaryotic cells
  • Prokaryotic cells
• Eukaryotic cells


  • Found in animals, plants and fungi
  • Larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells
• Prokaryotic cells


  • Found in bacteria
  • Smaller and less complex than eukaryotic cells
  • Lack a nucleus
• Viruses


  Not considered living organisms as they do not carry out all the functions of living organisms (e.g. respiration)
• Viruses are smaller than prokaryotic cells and do not have a cellular structure
• Cell Membrane


  A thin layer of lipids and proteins that surrounds the cell, regulating what enters and leaves the cell.
• Cytoplasm


  The jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where many cellular activities take place.
• Nucleus


  The control center of the cell, containing most of the cell's genetic material (DNA).
• Ribosomes


  Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm, responsible for protein synthesis.
• Lysosomes


  Enzyme-containing vesicles that break down and recycle cellular waste and debris.
• Cellular Respiration


  Converting nutrients into energy for the cell.
• Protein Synthesis


  Building and repairing cellular structures using amino acids.
• Amino Acids

  The building blocks of proteins. There are 20 different amino acids that our bodies use to create proteins.
• mRNA (Messenger RNA)


  A copy of a gene that is transcribed into a molecule that carries genetic information to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.
• mRNA (Messenger RNA)


  A type of RNA that carries genetic information to the ribosomes during protein synthesis.