Cell Structure Basics
You'll encounter animal cells everywhere in your body, from your skin to your muscles. These cells have five key components that work together like a perfectly organised team. The nucleus acts as the control centre, containing all the genetic material that tells the cell what to do.
The cytoplasm is where the magic happens - it's a jelly-like substance packed with enzymes that control most chemical reactions. Think of ribosomes as tiny protein factories, constantly building the proteins your body needs. Mitochondria are the powerhouses, carrying out aerobic respiration to release energy for everything the cell does.
Finally, the cell membrane works like a selective bouncer at a club, holding the cell together whilst carefully controlling what substances can enter or leave. This selective barrier is crucial for keeping the cell healthy and functional.
Quick Tip: Remember "MiRiCyCyMe" - Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Cytoplasm, Cell membrane, and Nucleus are found in all animal cells!
Plant cells share all the same components as animal cells but have three extra features that make them special. The cell wall, made of tough cellulose, provides extra support and strength - like giving the cell a protective suit of armour.
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and absorb light to make sugar through photosynthesis - essentially turning sunlight into food. The permanent vacuole stores cell sap (a weak solution of sugar and salts) and helps maintain the plant's structure by keeping cells firm and upright.
Bacterial cells are completely different beasts altogether. They're prokaryotic cells, meaning they have no nucleus - instead, their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm as a single circular strand. They also lack chloroplasts and mitochondria, making them much simpler than animal and plant cells.
What makes bacteria unique is their plasmids - small rings of DNA that can transfer genetic material between cells. Bacterial cells reproduce through binary fission rather than mitosis, and they're significantly smaller than both animal and plant cells.
Remember: Eukaryotic cells (animals and plants) have DNA in a nucleus, whilst prokaryotic cells (bacteria) have free-floating DNA.
Understanding magnification is crucial when studying cells since most are invisible to the naked eye. The formula is simple: magnification = image size ÷ real size. You'll need to know the prefixes: centi (1/100), milli (1/1000), micro (1/1,000,000), and nano (1/1,000,000,000).