Cell Structure
Revision AnimalPlant
Animal Cell
Plant Cell
Organelles Nucleus Bounded by a double membrane with pores Chromosomes in loosely coiled state called chromatin Chromosomes contain DNA Nucleolus – a dense body used to produce ribosomes 6μm in diameter
Electron micrograph of a nucleus
Endoplasmic reticulum Two types: 1.Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) 2.Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Parallel flattened cavities lined with thin membranes 4nm thick. Attached to the membrane are ribosomes. Used for protein transport
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Tubes rather than flattened stacks Synthesis and transport of lipids and steroids
Golgi Apparatus Stack of flattened cisternae Formed by fusion of vesicles from the RER Vesicles pinch off the trans face and move to the cell membrane.
Mitochondria Diameter 1.0 μm, length 2,5 μm Surrounded by 2 membranes Inner membrane folded to form cristae Matrix fluid inside Used for producing ATP in aerobic respiration
Contains circular DNA Contains ribosomes (70S)
Ribosomes They are used for protein synthesis
There are two types of ribosomes: The smaller ones (70S) are found in mitochondria and chloroplasts. The larger ones (80S) are found in the cytoplasm and attached to the RER
Lysosomes Contain digestive enzymes. Destroys bacteria Destroys old organelles Can destroy whole cell
Chloroplasts
Double membrane Inside is the stroma Thylakoids are membranes stacked on top of each other to form a grana. The membranes contain chlorophyll pigments Contains 70S ribosomes and small circular DNA 5 – 10 μm in length
Centrioles A barrel shaped organelle found only in animal cells Used in cell division. It is a pin-wheel formation of 9 groups of 3 microtubules.
Microvilli Minute projections of the cell wall Increases surface area 1 μm long and 0.8 μm wide
Cell wall Made of cellulose Gives plant cells shape. Can be lignified to make it even stronger.
Permanent Vacuole and Tonoplast The tonoplast is a semi-permeable membrane surrounding the vacuole. The vacuole stores food, water, and wastes. It gives support to soft structures, such as leaves.
Plasmodesmata Only found in plant cells microscopic channels which traverse the cell walls of plant cells enable transport and communication between them.
Cell Membrane
a semi-permeable membrane
Prokaryotic Cells Unicellular 1 – 5 μm diameter Lack membrane-bound organelles Naked, circular DNA 70S ribosomes Peptidoglycan cell walls