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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17

Eukaryotic Cells

Task
Complete the table below by placing a tick () if the feature is present or a cross () if it is
absent. You will need to have worked through Topic Builder 16 before attempting this task.
Feature

E. coli

Palisade cell

Liver cell

Plasma membrane

Topic Builders

Task and Questions

Cell wall
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Golgi body/
apparatus
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Permanent vacuole
Ring of DNA

Questions
1

Which cell type contains a cellulose cell wall?

What name is given to the outer layer of an animal cell?

What three organelles are found only in palisade cells?

List the four groups of eukaryotic cells.

Which organelle is only found in animal cells?

Taking it Further
Make more detailed notes about eukaryotic cells and any key features found in these cells.
The questions below can help you to structure and organise your notes. Use your course text
book to add further information.
What are eukaryotic cells?
List two main features of eukaryotic cells.
What similarities and differences exist between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
What type of ribosomes are found in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Do all animal cells have a nucleus?

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