Introduction to cells

• Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells have similarities:

  • Contain organelles
  • Cell surface membrane made of a phospholipid bilayer which controls passage of substances across exchange surfaces
• Differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells:

  • Prokaryotic make single celled organisms, eukaryotic make up complex organisms
  • Eukaryotic are larger and more complex than prokaryotic
  • Cells arise from other cells by binary fission in prokaryotic cells and mitosis or meiosis in eukaryotic cells
• Types of Eukaryotic cells:

  • Animal cells

  Contains:

  • Mitochondria
  • Ribosomes
  • Endoplasmic reticulum
  • Golgi
  • Lysosomes
  • Nucleus
• Types of eukaryotic cells:

  • Plant cell

  Contains:

  • All animal cell organelles
  • Vacuole
  • Chloroplasts
  • Cell wall
• Other types of eukaryotic cells include Algal cells and Fungal cells
• Specialisation and organisation of cells:

  • Cells gain specific features known as specialisation. Organised into groups to perform a function.
  • Cells specialise because shape and contents of a cell help it to carry out its function. Examples include muscle cells, as they contain lots of mitochondria to produce ATP, red blood cells, which are biconcave with no nucleus to maximise space to carry oxygen etc