What are cells?

are basic units of living organisms

Consist of Protoplasm
living component of a cell
surrounded by a thin layer called the plasma membrane
made up of cytoplasm & nucleus
contains small structures called organelles
Most of the organelles can only be seen using an electron microscope
Plants cells have an outer layer called the cell wall

Animal Cells

Plant Cells

Cellular Components of Animal and Plant Cells

Cellular components can be classified into organelles or non-organelles
Organelles
a) Nucleus

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 Functions :
Controls all activities of the cell
Nucleolus is involved in the synthesis of ribosomes and ribonucleic acid (RNA)
b) Mitochondria

Functions :
Sites of cellular respiration
Enzymes involved in cellular respiration to help oxidise glucose to release
energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate)
c) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

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 Two types of ER
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) has ribosomes
on its surface
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) has no
ribosomes on its surface
Functions :
RER transports proteins synthesised by ribosomes
SER synthesises lipids and is the centre for detoxification
of drugs
d) Golgi apparatus

Functions :
Centre for processing,
packaging and transporting macromolecules such as
proteins and carbohydrates
e) Ribosomes

Functions:
Sites of protein synthesis

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f) Lysosomes
Functions :
Break down macromolecules such as proteins, lipids,
nucleic acids, polysaccharides as well as worn-out organelles

g) Vacuoles

Usually found in plants cells, in animals cells, if vacuoles are

present they are small
Functions :
Store food substances such as sugars and amino acids
Site for waste products
Regulate water balance in cells
Turgidity of cells gives support to plants
h) Centrioles

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 Only found in animal cells
Functions:
Form spindle fibres during cell division

i) Chloroplast
Only found in green plants
Functions :
Site for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll traps light energy for photosynthesis
Non-organelles components
a) Plasma membrane

Functions :
Regulates and controls the movement of substances in and
out of the cells
protects the cell by separating the content of the cell from
its environment
b) Cytoplasm

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 Functions :
Place where biochemical reactions occur
c) Cell wall

Only found in plant cells

Functions :
Maintain the shape of plant cell
protects the cell from bursting
gives support to cells
SUMMARY

Comparing and contrasting the structure of animal and plant cells

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The Density of Certain Organelles in Relation to Functions of Specific Cells

What are organelles?

little organs
Are tiny structures inside a cell that perform specific functions for
the cell
3 main functions of organelles:
Carry out their specialized functions:
E.g. Mitochondria produce energy in the form of ATP
Acts as containers to separate parts of the cell from other
parts
E.g. lysosomes
Sites for chemical reaction
E.g. Choloroplast
Relationship between the Density & Functions of certain
Organelles
Plant and animals are made up of different types of cells
Different cells carry out different functions.
For example, muscle cells bring above movement while nerve
cells transmit nerve impulses
The density of certain organelles in a specific cell is related to its
specific function

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