Topic Builders

16

Prokaryotic Cells
GCSE

A-level

You should know that cells are the

building blocks for all organisms, and
therefore make up all living things.
Simple organisms, such as amoebas,
are made up of one single cell, whereas
complex multicellular organisms, such
as humans, are made up of billions
of cells.

You will need to familiarise yourself with the

different types of cells. You should be able to state
the similarities and differences between bacterial,
plant and animal cells.
You should also remember an example of each
cell type.
A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus.

What do I need to know about prokaryotic cells?

Prokaryotic cells are bacterial cells. They do not have a nucleus; instead they have naked DNA
in the cytoplasm, which is not membrane bound.

Key features of a prokaryotic cell (for example the bacterium E. coli)

Small cells approximately 5m.

Many have a slime layer/capsule that provides protection.

Cell wall is made of murein.

Contains plasma membrane.

No nucleus.

Has loop of DNA and tiny circles of DNA called plasmids.

No membrane-bound organelles (that is, no chloroplast, mitochondria, endoplasmic

reticulum (ER) or Golgi body).

Small ribosome is present free in the cytoplasm.

Some have a flagellum (plural: flagella) a tail-like structure that allows the bacterial cell
to move.
capsule (slime)
cell wall
plasma membrane
nucleoid
DNA
plasmid

+m

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agellum
You will need to be able to compare
the features found in prokaryotic cells
with those found in eukaryotic cells.
Eukaryotic cells are discussed in detail
in Topic Builder 17.

Badger Learning

11/04/2012 14:26

16

Prokaryotic Cells

What is the function of the flagella?

Name the organelle present in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.

Which feature provides protection for bacterial cells?

What are the tiny circles of DNA found in E. coli?

Do bacterial cells contain chromosomes?

Topic Builders

Questions

Taking it Further
Make more detailed notes about prokaryotic cells.
The questions below can help you to structure and organise your notes. Use your course text
book to add further information.
What are prokaryotic cells?
What is the cell wall of a bacterial cell made up of?
Explain the function of the slime layer.
What are the pieces of DNA that give bacteria protection against antibiotics called?
What is the approximate size of a bacterial cell?
What type of ribosomes are found in prokaryotic cells?
Give an example of a prokaryote.

Badger Learning

04_Topic Builders Ch1535.indd 49

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Topic Builders

17

Eukaryotic Cells
GCSE

A-level

You should know that cells are the

building blocks for all organisms,
and therefore make up all living
things. Simple organisms, such as
amoebas, are made up of one single
cell, whereas complex multicellular
organisms, such as humans, are
made up of billions of cells.

You will need to familiarise yourself with the

different types of cells. You should be able to state
the similarities and differences between bacterial,
plant and animal cells.
You should also remember an example of each cell
type.
A eukaryotic cell has a nucleus.

What do I need to know about eukaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells include protoctista (algae, amoebas), fungi, plant and animal cells. These are
more complex cells than prokaryotic cells (see Topic Builder 16) and contain more organelles.
Eukaryotic cells have a large nucleus that contains the DNA inside a membrane.
Plant and animal cells are examples of eukaryotic cells.

The similarities and differences between plant and animal cells

cell wall

cytoplasm

cell
membrane

amyloplast

cell membrane
cytoplasm
lysosome

rough ER

vacuole

smooth ER

nucleus

rough ER

nucleolus

nucleus
nucleolus

smooth ER

nuclear
membrane

nuclear
membrane

ribosomes

vacuole

chloroplast

Golgi body

mitochondria

Golgi
body
ribosomes

mitochondria

Plant cell

Animal cell

Key features of eukaryotic cells

Approximately 50m in size (range 10100m).

Plasma membrane surrounds the cell content.

Contain chromosomes/DNA inside the nucleus.

Contain a nucleolus a dark region inside the nucleus.

Have a large number of membrane-bound organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum

(ER), mitochondria, Golgi body/apparatus and lysosomes.

Plant and animal cells contain large ribosomes. These are free in the cytoplasm or
attached to ER.

Plant cells also have chloroplasts, a permanent central vacuole and a cellulose cell wall.

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Badger Learning

10/04/2012 11:06