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UNIT 4: CELL RESEARCHProkaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells

Fantastic Voyage Initial Research

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PROKARYOTIC CELLS

A Prokaryotic cell is simpler in design and smaller compared to a Eukaryote cell, andunlike the eukaryotes, they lack a nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells typically exist in bacteria and archaea. They both have a similar

structure.

They usually exist in single celled organisms.

The structure is made up of a gelatinous capsule surrounding a cell membrane and

cell wall.

Flagella (long thread-like organelles which help the cell to travel) and pili (thin filaments

which help bacteria to attach to specific receptors of human cell) are present in most

prokaryotic cells, on the outside of the cells surface.

The cell wall contains Peptidoglycan, which prevents the cell from expanding and

bursting from osmotic pressure.

Most of the nuclear DNA material in a prokaryotic cell is made up of a single

chromosome called a nucleoid. It is an irregular shaped area in the cell. This is

surrounded by a nuclear membrane.

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EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Eukaryotic gets its name from the existence of a nucleus inside the cell. (True Nucleus)

Eukaryotic cells exist within all complex organisms such as plants, animals and fungi,

and also in unicellular organisms such as slime moulds, protozoa and algae.

The cells contain complex structures inside a membrane - including a nucleus, which

carries genetic material.

Much larger than Prokaryotic cells; approximately 15 times wider and 1000 times greater

in volume.

Flagella helps the cell to move. The Flagella is more complex than in a prokaryotic cell.

The cells contain a cytoskeleton made up of microtubules, microfilaments and

intermediate filaments. This is part of what makes up the cells organization and shape.

The cells can exist either as a single celled organism or in multicellular organisms or

colonies.

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EUKARYOTIC CELLSAnimal Cell

Type of Eukaryotic cell which makes up

tissue in animals.

They do not have cell walls or

chloroplasts. Lack of cell wall causes the

cell to take on different shapes.

They have smaller vacuoles than plant

cells. (a vacuole is a membrane boundorganelle existing in all plant and fungal

cells.) Plant Cell

Plant Cells are another type of Eukaryotic cell.

They have cell walls unlike animal cells.

They have a large vacuole in the centre

surrounded by a membrane, which controls

the movement of molecules between the

cytosol and sap (fluids found in cells).

Plastids including chloroplasts contain

chlorophyll which gives plants a green colour

and enables photosynthesis to occur.

Fungal Cell

Fungal cells have more in common with animal

cells than plant cells.

They have a cell wall, of which chitin, a

derivative of glucose, is the main component.