Cells are the basic building block of life. Throughout our body, there are different types of cells, each performing a specific function.

They all work together to help us live, grow and survive.

We can break cells into two categories Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

As you’ve probably noticed, plant cells and animal cells don’t look the same.
Although in some ways they are similar, in other ways they are very different.

Bellow illustrates the differences between plants and animal cells, in terms of organelles and structures.  

You’ll notice that plants and animals have vacuoles, but the actual size of a plant’s vacuole is much larger than an animals. Animal vacuoles are also temporary, while plants vacuoles are always there.

Another distinguishing feature are the chloroplast.

Click here for more information on chloroplast

Also the Cellulose Cell wall.

Prokaryotes are simple cells. Most of them are unicellular, however there are some which are multicellular.

The key features of prokaryotes are:

• Lack membrane bound organelles
• Single circular DNA chromosome
• Cell wall is made of Murein
• Contain Plasmids

Eukaryotes, like plants, animals and fungi are much more complex than prokaryotes.

They contain:

• Membrane bound organelles
• DNA is found in the Nucleus

They can either be multicellular (plants, animals, fungi) or unicellular (Protists).

Organelles

Nucleus

Double-layered nuclear membrane. Houses the DNA.

Ribosome  

Tiny and not membrane bound. Site of protein production

Cell membrane  

Mitochondria

Many folded membranes. Involved in energy transformation and release in the cell.

Click here for specialised cells

Click here for more information on cell worksheet

Click here for an eye dissection