Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
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Explainer Video
Summary
Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
In a nutshell
Cells are the basic structural unit of all organisms. There are different types of cells, which can be generally be classified as eukaryotic or prokaryotic. Animal cells and plant cells are eukaryotic, whereas prokaryotic cells may include bacteria.
Cells
Definition
Cells are the smallest unit in living organisms. They can make up unicellular organisms such as bacteria, or multicellular organisms like plants and animals.
Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cells are those which contain genetic material within a nucleus. They are mainly found in animal and plant cells.
Animal cells
All animal cells have the following features.
Structure | Function |
| Nucleus | Contains the genetic material of an organism. The nucleus controls everything the cell does. |
| Cell membrane | A thin flexible layer that surrounds the cell and controls which substances go in and out of the cell. |
| Cytoplasm | A jelly-like fluid where most chemical reactions take place. |
| Mitochondria | The site of respiration and energy release. |
| Ribosomes | The site of protein synthesis. |
Plant cells
All plant cells have all the structures in animal cells as mentioned (nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria and ribosomes) as well as three additional ones.
Structure | Function |
| Cell wall | A tough layer around the cell made of cellulose that provides strength and support to the cell. |
| Vacuole | Contains a watery liquid called cell sap, which keeps the cell firm. |
| Chloroplast | A small structure that is the site of photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which is a green pigment. This is why only green parts of a plant like stems and leaves have chloroplasts. |
Prokaryotic cells
Prokaryotic cells are those that do not have a nucleus; instead, the genetic information is floating freely in the cytoplasm.
Example
A bacterium is an example of a prokaryotic cell. Bacteria also have a cell wall. Sometimes they will have a tail called a flagellum which helps them swim or hook onto things in watery environments, and sometimes they'll have a mucus coat around it to stop itself from dehydrating. Bacteria often also have small loops of DNA called plasmids.
Estimating the size of cells
A microscope has to be used to view cells. However, it is very unlikely that you will view a singular cell; rather you will know the size of the slide you have prepared, and you can count the number of cells within this area. Counting the number of cells is often made easier by counting the number of nuclei for eukaryotic cells, or number of cell membranes for prokaryotic cells. You can then apply the following formula:
Example
You have prepared a microscope slide where your sample is across and down. In this area, you have observed nuclei when you use the magnification lens. What is the size of a single cell in the sample?
The size of the sample area is:
The size of each cell is:
.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What do plant cells share in common with animal cells?
All plant cells have all the structures in animal cells (nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria and ribosomes) as well as three additional ones.
What is a prokaryotic cell?
Prokaryotic cells are those that do not have a nucleus; instead, the genetic information is floating freely in the cytoplasm.
What is a eukaryotic cell?
Eukaryotic cells are those which contain genetic material within a nucleus.