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22 Dec 2025

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A-Level Biology: Comprehensive Cell Structure Revision Guide

I

Isabella King

@isabellaking_oexf

Understanding cell structure is fundamental to biology, and it's actually... Show more

Cell Structure:

Cell surface mevorne: mainly mad made of lipids + proteins - regulates the movement of Substances in/out of the cell, it al

Cell Structure and Organelles

Every cell is like a bustling city with different districts serving unique purposes. The cell surface membrane acts as the city walls, made of lipids and proteins that control what enters and exits whilst containing receptor molecules that respond to chemical signals like hormones.

The nucleus is the control centre, surrounded by a nuclear envelope with pores that allow communication with the cytoplasm. Inside, you'll find chromatin (made from DNA) and the nucleolus, which makes ribosomes. Think of it as city hall where all the important decisions happen.

Ribosomes are the protein factories - tiny structures that either float freely in the cytoplasm or attach to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The rough ER processes these proteins, while the smooth ER focuses on making lipids. The Golgi apparatus then packages and modifies everything like a postal sorting office.

For energy production, mitochondria are absolutely crucial. These bean-shaped organelles have folded inner membranes called cristae where aerobic respiration produces ATP. In plant cells, chloroplasts handle photosynthesis with their stacked thylakoid membranes called grana.

Key Point: Cells with high energy demands (like muscle cells) contain loads more mitochondria than less active cells.

Cell Structure:

Cell surface mevorne: mainly mad made of lipids + proteins - regulates the movement of Substances in/out of the cell, it al

Prokaryotes vs Microscopy

Prokaryotic cells are completely different from the complex cells we just discussed. These extremely small organisms (like E. coli bacteria) keep things simple - their circular DNA floats freely without a nucleus, and they have very few organelles with no membrane-bound structures.

Their cell walls are made of polysaccharides (not cellulose), and when they do have flagella, these are arranged in a helical protein structure. It's a much more basic setup, but it works brilliantly for these organisms.

Light microscopes let you observe whole cells and tissues by shining light through thin specimens. They offer about 0.2 μm resolution with x1500 magnification - perfect for getting started with cell observation.

Electron microscopes take things to the next level using electron beams instead of light. Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) fire electrons through specimens, with denser parts absorbing more electrons and appearing darker. This gives incredibly detailed images of organelles, though you can only use very thin specimens.

Study Tip: Remember that electron microscopes give much better resolution than light microscopes, but you can't observe living cells with them due to the preparation process required.



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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Biology

92

22 Dec 2025

2 pages

A-Level Biology: Comprehensive Cell Structure Revision Guide

I

Isabella King

@isabellaking_oexf

Understanding cell structure is fundamental to biology, and it's actually quite fascinating how these tiny units of life are organised. From the protective cell membrane to the powerhouse mitochondria, each part has a specific job that keeps cells functioning properly.

Cell Structure:

Cell surface mevorne: mainly mad made of lipids + proteins - regulates the movement of Substances in/out of the cell, it al

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Cell Structure and Organelles

Every cell is like a bustling city with different districts serving unique purposes. The cell surface membrane acts as the city walls, made of lipids and proteins that control what enters and exits whilst containing receptor molecules that respond to chemical signals like hormones.

The nucleus is the control centre, surrounded by a nuclear envelope with pores that allow communication with the cytoplasm. Inside, you'll find chromatin (made from DNA) and the nucleolus, which makes ribosomes. Think of it as city hall where all the important decisions happen.

Ribosomes are the protein factories - tiny structures that either float freely in the cytoplasm or attach to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The rough ER processes these proteins, while the smooth ER focuses on making lipids. The Golgi apparatus then packages and modifies everything like a postal sorting office.

For energy production, mitochondria are absolutely crucial. These bean-shaped organelles have folded inner membranes called cristae where aerobic respiration produces ATP. In plant cells, chloroplasts handle photosynthesis with their stacked thylakoid membranes called grana.

Key Point: Cells with high energy demands (like muscle cells) contain loads more mitochondria than less active cells.

Cell Structure:

Cell surface mevorne: mainly mad made of lipids + proteins - regulates the movement of Substances in/out of the cell, it al

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Prokaryotes vs Microscopy

Prokaryotic cells are completely different from the complex cells we just discussed. These extremely small organisms (like E. coli bacteria) keep things simple - their circular DNA floats freely without a nucleus, and they have very few organelles with no membrane-bound structures.

Their cell walls are made of polysaccharides (not cellulose), and when they do have flagella, these are arranged in a helical protein structure. It's a much more basic setup, but it works brilliantly for these organisms.

Light microscopes let you observe whole cells and tissues by shining light through thin specimens. They offer about 0.2 μm resolution with x1500 magnification - perfect for getting started with cell observation.

Electron microscopes take things to the next level using electron beams instead of light. Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) fire electrons through specimens, with denser parts absorbing more electrons and appearing darker. This gives incredibly detailed images of organelles, though you can only use very thin specimens.

Study Tip: Remember that electron microscopes give much better resolution than light microscopes, but you can't observe living cells with them due to the preparation process required.

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user