2.2 Describe cell structures, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplast and vacuole

Cell structures

• Nucleus - controls the cell's behavior
• Cytoplasm - makes up most of the cell, a gelatine-like subtance
• Cell membrane - a thin wall that keeps the cell together
• Cell wall - a harder, outer wall that keeps the cell's shape and stops it from bursting when it is full of water
• Chloroplast - allows the organism to photosynthesize: to produce glucose from water and carbon dioxide
• Vacuole - Where cell sap is stored, along with other nutrients

Key

Yellowish orange = Features in both plant and animal cells

Green = Typically associated with plant cells

Pale purple = Typically associated with plant cells, but a small temporary vacuole can be found in animal cells too

Figure 1: An unnecessarily complicated comparison

2.3 Describe the functions of the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplast and vacuole

(Also covered in 2.2)

Functions:

• Nucleus - controls the cell's behavior
• Cytoplasm - makes up most of the cell, a gelatine-like subtance. This is where the organelles are found.
• Cell membrane - a thin wall that keeps the cell together
• Cell wall - a harder, outer wall that keeps the cell's shape and stops it from bursting when it is full of water
• Chloroplast - allows the organism to photosynthesize: to produce glucose from water and carbon dioxide
• Vacuole - Where cell sap is stored, along with other nutrients

Figure 1 (yes I know, same image again. Sozzles.)

2.4 Compare the structures of plant and animal cells

Part of structure          Present in plant c.         Present in animal c.
Nucleus                                   Yes                                   Yes
Cytoplasm                               Yes                                   Yes
C. membrane                          Yes                                   Yes
Vacuole                                   Yes (permanent)              Yes (but not permanent)
C. wall                                     Yes                                    No
Chloroplast(s)                          Yes                                   No

Further comparison

• In plant cells, the vacuole is large and permanent, while in animal cells, it tends to be small and is not permanent.
• Animal cells will burst if they are filled with too much water (turgid) but plant cells will not (due to the cell wall)