Animal, Plant, and Bacterial Cells
This page provides an overview of the structures and functions of animal, plant, and bacterial cells, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Highlight: The main difference between eukaryotic animalandplant and prokaryotic bacterial cells is their complexity and the presence of membrane-bound organelles.
Animal Cell Structure:
Animal cells contain various organelles, including a nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and ribosomes. These components work together to maintain cellular functions.
Plant Cell Structure:
Plant cells share many similarities with animal cells but also have unique features such as a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole.
Vocabulary: Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis.
Bacterial Cell Structure:
Bacterial cells are simpler than eukaryotic cells, lacking membrane-bound organelles. They have a cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and a nucleoid region containing DNA.
Example: Bacterial cells may have additional structures like flagella for movement or a capsule for protection.
Key Functions of Cell Components:
- Nucleus: Controls cell activities and stores DNA
- Ribosomes: Produce proteins
- Cell membrane: Controls what enters and exits the cell
- Cell wall: Protects the cell inplantsandbacteria
- Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance where reactions take place
- Mitochondria: Releases energy for respiration
- Chloroplasts: Site of photosynthesis inplants
- Vacuole: Stores sap and energy inplants
Definition: Prokaryotic cells are simpler, single-celled organisms like bacteria, while eukaryotic cells are more complex and include animal and plant cells.
