Cells and Transport
Every living thing is built from cells - think of them as biological building blocks with specific parts doing different jobs. Animal cells have a nucleus (containing genetic material), cytoplasm (full of enzymes), cell membrane (controlling what enters and exits), and mitochondria (powering the cell through respiration).
Plant cells have all these parts plus some extras: a cell wall for support, a vacuole filled with cell sap, and chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Some cells, like stem cells found in bone marrow, haven't specialised yet and can become any type of cell - that's why they're so useful in medicine.
Substances move around cells through different processes. Diffusion happens when particles spread from areas of high concentration to low concentration naturally. Osmosis is similar but specifically for water moving across membranes. Active transport is different - it moves molecules against the concentration gradient, which requires energy from the cell.
Quick Tip: Remember that plant cells have everything animal cells have, PLUS extra structures - never the other way around!
