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21 Jan 2026

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2 pages

N5 Biology: Comprehensive Cell Structure Notes

Emily Turpie

@emilyturpie_tvox

Every living thing is made up of cells, and understanding... Show more

Cell Structure & Function

Nucleus
- Controls cell activity
- Passes unformation from cell to cell
- found in animal, plant and fungal cells

Core Cell Structures

Your cell membrane acts like a bouncer at a club - it decides what gets in and what stays out of every single cell. This selective barrier is found in animal, plant, and fungal cells, making it one of the most universal cellular structures.

The nucleus is essentially the cell's control centre, much like the brain in your body. It stores all the genetic information and controls what the cell does throughout its life. You'll find this command centre in animal, plant, and fungal cells.

Inside the cell, the cytoplasm provides the perfect environment for chemical reactions to occur. Think of it as the cell's workshop where most of the important cellular processes happen. The mitochondrion is where aerobic respiration takes place - this is how cells release energy from glucose to power themselves.

Quick Tip: Remember that mitochondria are often called "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce the energy (ATP) that cells need to function!

Specialised Cellular Components

Plant cells have some unique features that animal cells don't possess. The cell wall made of cellulose provides structural support, whilst chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis - the process that converts sunlight into food. The large vacuole stores cell sap and helps maintain the plant's shape through osmosis.

Bacterial cells are quite different from plant and animal cells. Instead of a nucleus, they have chromosomes and plasmids that control cell activity and transfer genetic information. These structures float freely in the cytoplasm rather than being enclosed in a membrane.

Ribosomes are the protein-making factories found in all cell types - animal, plant, bacterial, and fungal. They're responsible for protein synthesis, which is essential for cell growth and repair.

Remember: Cell walls aren't just for plants! Bacteria and fungi have them too, but they're made from different materials - sugars and proteins rather than cellulose.

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21 Jan 2026

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2 pages

N5 Biology: Comprehensive Cell Structure Notes

Emily Turpie

@emilyturpie_tvox

Every living thing is made up of cells, and understanding what's inside them is crucial for your biology studies. These cellular components work together like a perfectly organised team to keep life running smoothly.

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Core Cell Structures

Quick Tip: Remember that mitochondria are often called "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce the energy (ATP) that cells need to function!

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Specialised Cellular Components

Remember: Cell walls aren't just for plants! Bacteria and fungi have them too, but they're made from different materials - sugars and proteins rather than cellulose.