Eukaryotic Cells

Contain a true nucleus i.e. The DNA is

contained in a double nuclear membrane
They have numerous cell organelles made
from membranes
Found only in Plant cells
Cellulose cell wall- provides cell wit its
characteristic shape. Strong and elastic.
Cells are held together by the sticky middle
lamella.
Large molecules enter the cell trough
plasmodesmata- cytosol filled channels.
Plant cells contain large vacuoles
surrounded by the tonoplast membrane.
Chloroplasts are surrounded by a double
membrane containing grana membrane
bound structures enclosing a fluid filled
cavity. This is where chlorophyll is
contained and the light stage of
photosynthesis takes place. The lamellae
spread the grana out for maximum light
absorption. The Calvin cycle takes place in
the surrounding stroma.
Found only in Animal cells
A pair of centrioles can be found close to
the nucleus in the centre of the MTOC
(microtubule organising centre), they control
the spindle.
The MTOC also control the cytoskeleton- a
framework of protein fibres that control a
cells shape and movement.
Microvilli are supported by the cytoskeleton
and greatly increase the surface area of the
cell.

Have an extracellular matrix surrounding the plasma

membrane.
DNA is surrounded by a nuclear envelope, the outer layer of
which is part of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Nuclear envelope is punctured with small pores that allow
the transport of mRNA. At each pore the outer and inner
membranes are fused together and the pore is encircled with
transport proteins.
DNA is associated with 8 histone proteins, which combine to
make nucleosomes.
Nucleolus is the area of the nucleus that stains more darkly.
It is made up of 5 chromosomes that always associate
together and are in control of ribosomal RNA synthesis.
A polysome is the name given to many ribosomes attached
onto an mRNA molecule.
Enzymes embedded in the rough endoplasmic reticulum
modify the protein by adding short sugar chains- creating
glyco proteins
Sometimes tips of the ER are budded off, and become
transport vesicles which migrate and merge wit the plasma
membrane or organelles to Some vesicles containing
glycoproeins
merge with the flattened sacs of the golgi body.
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum has a different role
within the cell. Lipids such as fatty acids, phospholipids and
steroids are synthesized here.
Lysosomes separate enzymes from the cytoplasm by a
membrane envelope, creating optimum conditions. They
often merge with vacuoles containing obsolete organelles or
microorganisms and digest them
The micro body is also a membrane envelope surrounding
a number of enzymes, which oxidise fatty acids and toxic
substances.
All the membrane bound structures are part of the
endomembrane system.
The mitochondrion is the site of aerobic respiration. It is
surrounded by a double membrane, enclosing the matrix- the
site of the Krebs cycle and the cristae- where ATP is
synthesised by the cytochrome system.

Prokaryotic Cells
DNA not enclosed within a nuclear envelope.
Most of the DNA is contained within a single circular molecule known as a nucleoid.
Often there are small rings of DNA known as plasmids, which allow genetic information to be
passed between cells.
It has a cytosol- a cytoplasm with no organelles.
Ribosomes are still present, smaller than in eukaryotes.
Movement is achieved using a flagellum , in an anti clockwise rotation. Cells can reach up to 50
X their own length per second
Many have pilli to stick to surfaces, sometimes to swap plasmids.
The plasma membrane is t only membrane structure found in prokaryotes.
Bacteria cells have a cell wall made from peptidoglycan, providing a strong and rigid coating.
Many have a capsule, a slimy layer of mucus type substance, which helps bacteria to stick, and
helps to protect against enzyme and phagocyte attack.
Most bacteria cells are approximately the same size as mitochondrion in eukaryotes 0.5 3 um.