Teacher: Mr.

Vincent

The key features of

cells and their functions
Cambridge IGCSE® Biology

All living organisms are made of cells.

Some contain only one cell.

Others are multicellular and contain many cells.

Video References Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/eukaryotes-and-prokaryotes/

Animal cells
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/animal-cells/

Plant cells
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/plant-cells/

Sizes of Cells
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/sizes-of-cells/
Order of Magnitude
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/order-of-magnitude/

Animal Cell Specialisation

https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/animal-cell-specialisation/

Plant Cell Specialisation

https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/plant-cell-specialisation-2/

Required Practical Microscopes & Light Microscope & Electron Microscope

https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/required-practical-1-microscopes/
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/microscopy/
Why cells?
Teacher: Mr. Vincent

A cell can be thought of as a bag in which the chemistry of life is allowed to occur,
partially separated from the environment outside the cell. The thin membrane which
surrounds all cells is essential in controlling exchange between the cell and its
environment. It is a very effective barrier, but also allows a controlled traffic of
materials across it in both directions. The membrane is therefore described as partially
permeable. If it were freely permeable, life could not exist, because the chemicals
of the cell would simply mix with the surrounding chemicals by diffusion.
Cell structure and Organisation

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

All living things are made of cells.

All typical cells have:

o Cell membrane: differentially or partially permeable to allow certain substances to enter and leave the cell.

o Cytoplasm: where chemical reactions take place

o Nucleus: contains DNA and controls the cell

o Mitochondria: organelle where aerobic respiration happens

o Ribosome: makes protein and can be found floating within the cytoplasm

A typical animal cell (e.g. the liver cell) has all above

Only plant cells have:

o Vacuole: stores food & water & helps to maintain shape of cell

o Cell wall: rigid to keep shape of cell

o Chloroplasts: contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis

 Teacher: Mr. Vincent

A typical plant cell (e.g. the palisade cell) has all the above things
Eukaryotes and prokaryotes

https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/eukaryotes-and-prokaryotes/

Bacteria are amongst the simplest of organisms - they are made of single cells.

Their cell structure is simpler than the cells of animals, plants and fungi.

Cells of animals, plants and fungi are called eukaryotic cells.

Cells of bacteria are called prokaryotic cells.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

The two types of cell compared and a group of organisms called Archaea are also prokaryotic.

Feature Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic cell

Size Most are 5 μm - 100 μm. Most are 0.2 μm - 2.0 μm.

Cell membrane, surrounded by cell wall in

Outer layers of cell plants and fungi. Cell membrane, surrounded by cell wall.

Cytoplasm, cell organelles include

Cytoplasm, ribosomes present; there are
Cell contents mitochondria, ribosomes and chloroplasts
no mitochondria or chloroplasts.
in plants.

DNA is a single molecule, found free in

DNA in a nucleus, plasmids are found in a
Genetic material the cytoplasm; additional DNA is found
few simple eukaryotic organisms.
on one or more rings called plasmids.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Animal cells
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/animal-cells/

Animals depend upon plants as an energy source. Chemicals in food are broken down in
respiration to create energy stores that can be used by the cell.

Animal cells have a basic structure. Below the basic structure is shown in the same animal cell,
on the left viewed with the light microscope, and on the right with the transmission electron
microscope.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Cells

Animals and plants are multicellular organisms – they consist of many cells that work together.

Animal cell structure

The main parts of an animal cell are the nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm and mitochondria.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Mitochondria sometimes are visible with the light microscope but can't be seen in detail.

Ribosomes are only visible with the electron microscope.

Most cells are specialised and are adapted for their function. Animals and plants therefore consist of many different
types of cell working together.

Cell structures and their functions Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Cell structure Function

Where enzymes and other proteins are made. Location of reactions in

Cytoplasm anaerobic respiration.

Contains DNA which carries the genetic code for making enzymes and other
Nucleus proteins used in chemical reactions such as photosynthesis and respiration.

Allows gases and water to diffuse freely into and out of the cell. Controls the
Cell membrane transport of other molecules.

Mitochondrion Contains enzymes for the reactions in aerobic respiration (in animals, plants
(plural is mitochondria) and yeast).

Ribosome Where amino acids are joined together to make a protein.

Plant cells
https://www.freesciencelessons.co.uk/gcse-biology-paper-1/cell-biology/plant-cells/

Most life on Earth depends upon plants for energy. Plants capture light from the sun and use it to build up
chemical stores of energy. This is called photosynthesis.

The basic structure of a plant cell is shown below. Photosynthesis relies on many structures in the cell all
working together, each playing its role.

The diagram below shows the same plant cell, as viewed with the light microscope, and with the
transmission electron microscope.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Plant cell structure

Plant cells contain the same features as animal cells. They also have some additional ones:

• chloroplasts

• cell wall made of cellulose

• large central vacuole

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

 Animal and plant cells have certain structures in common. Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Cell structure Function

Cytoplasm Where enzymes and other proteins are made. Location of reactions in anaerobic respiration.

Contains DNA which carries the genetic code for making enzymes and other proteins used in chemical
Nucleus reactions such as photosynthesis and respiration.

Allows gases and water to diffuse freely into and out of the cell. Controls the transport of other
Cell membrane molecules.

Mitochondrion
(plural is Contains enzymes for the reactions in aerobic respiration (in animals, plants and yeast).
mitochondria)

Ribosome Where amino acids are joined together to make a protein.

Structure functions common to animal cells:

Structure Function

Cell wall Made from cellulose fibres. Strengthens the cell and supports the plant.
Plant cells also have additional structures:

Structure Function

Contains the green pigment, chlorophyll, which absorbs light for photosynthesis, and the
Chloroplast enzymes needed for photosynthesis.

Cell wall Made from cellulose fibres. Strengthens the cell and supports the plant.

Vacuole Filled with cell sap to help support the cell.

Animal cells may also have vacuoles, but these are small and temporary.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

In animals, they are commonly used to store or transport substances.
Yeast cells (an example of a fungus)

Yeast are single-celled fungi. Like plants, they have a cell wall. However, unlike plants, they are unable to make their
own food. Like animals, they take in chemicals from their environment. These chemicals are respired to provide energy.

Hu mans have u se d yea st fo r many

thousands of years for brewing and baking.
Brewing uses anaerobic respiration. Baking
uses aerobic respiration.

Teacher: Mr. Vincent

 Teacher: Mr. Vincent

Glossary
Cambridge IGCSE® Biology
Archaea

A type of single-celled microorganisms. They are similar to bacteria, and are usually found in extreme conditions such as
hot springs.


calibrate

To set an instrument or scale against a standard.
 Teacher: Mr. Vincent

compound microscope

A microscope in which the lens is close to the sample being magnified.


eukaryotic

Description of a cell which has a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells also have other structures in the cytoplasm which have
membranes around them.


eyepiece 

The eyepiece, or ocular, is the lens at the top of a compound microscope. It has a longer focal length than the
objective lens and magnifies the image produced by the objective. 


graticule

A glass or plastic disc fitted into the eyepiece of a microscope. The graticule has a scale ruled on it and is used to
estimate the size of a specimen when viewed with a microscope.


magnification

The amount that an image of something is scaled up when viewed through a microscope.


mitochondria

Structures in the cytoplasm of all cells where aerobic respiration takes place (singular is mitochondrion).
mounted needle

A needle mounted in a wooden or metal handle for use in microscope work or dissection.


objective lens 

In a compound microscope, the lens closest to the specimen has a very short focal length and produces a
greatly magnified image of the specimen. 


order of magnitude

A number, to the base ten, often used to make comparisons. For each order of magnitude, a number is ten times
the previous one.


prokaryotic

Description of a cell which does not have a nucleus - the DNA is free in the cytoplasm.


respire

To engage in respiration, the energy-producing process inside living cells.
 Teacher: Mr. Vincent

ribosome

The site of protein synthesis.


significant figure

Giving a number to a specified number of significant figures is a method of rounding. For example, in the number
7483, the most significant, or important, figure is 7, as its value is 7000. To give 7483 correct to one significant
figure (1 sf), would be 7000. To 2 sf, it would be 7500.


stage micrometer

A glass slide with a scale etched on it. It is used to calibrate the eyepiece graticule of a microscope.