IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 Bacterial and Fungal Cells

IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 Bacterial cells At first sight, bacterial cells look simple but they carry out all the functions of other cells. These cells are very small and can only just be seen using the light microscope. To see the detail, biologists use high-powered electron microscopes. These microscopes magnify thousands of times more than a light microscope.

IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 In common with plant and animal cells, bacterial cells have:  cell membrane – controlling the movement of molecules into and out of the cell  cytoplasm – a jelly-like substance where most of the cell’s reactions occur  cell wall – as in a plant cell, for maintaining the shape of the cell but made of a different chemical instead of cellulose  ribosomes – which make proteins. Bacterial cells also have parts not found in plant and animal cells:  a loop of DNA – bacterial cells do not have a nucleus but they contain DNA which controls the cell  capsule – some bacteria have a slimy capsule around the outside of the cell wall which protects them, for example, against antibiotics. Features of bacterial cells

IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 Typical bacterial cells

IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 Fungal cells Fungal cells are larger than bacterial cells and can be clearly seen using a light microscope. The fungal cell has a membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus which function as they do in plant cells. The fungal cell wall is similar to that of a plant or bacterial cell and has the same function. However, it is made of a third chemical called chitin.

IB2.2.4 Bacterial and fungal cells © Oxford University Press 2011 Typical fungal cells