Eukaryotic cells under the microscope

• Features or structures that can help identify a cell as plant or animal


  • Structures found only in animal cells: centrioles and microvill
  • Structures found only in plant cells: the cellulose cell wall, large permanent vacuoles and chloroplasts
• Describing and interpreting photomicrographs, electron micrographs and drawings of typical animal/plant cells is an important skill
• The organelles and structures within cells have a characteristic shape and size which can be helpful when having to identify and label them in an exam
• Photomicrographs


  Images taken using a light (optical) microscope
• Electron micrographs


  Images taken using an electron microscope
• More detailed structures can be seen and identified in electron micrographs compared to photomicrographs
• This is because electron microscopes have greater maximum magnification and resolution than light (optical) microscopes
• Cell types


  • Goblet cells
  • Ciliated cells
  • Basophils
• Connective tissue