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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.