Organelle Structures
- Cells can be divided into two broad types; eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
- Eukaryotic cells have a more complex ultrastructure than prokaryotic cells
- The term ultrastructure refers to the internal structure of cells
- Eukaryotic cells are larger than prokaryotic cells
- Eukaryotic cells range in diameter from around 10-100 μm
- Prokaryotic cells range in diameter from around 0.1-5 μm
- The cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells is divided up into membrane-bound compartments called organelles
- Animal and plant cells are both types of eukaryotic cells that share key structures such as
- Membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus
- Larger ribosomes known as 80S ribosomes
- Key differences between animal and plant cells include
- Animal cells contain centrioles and some have microvilli while plant cells do not
- Microvilli are folded regions of the cell surface membrane that increase cell surface area for absorption, e.g. in the small intestine
- Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall, large permanent vacuoles, and chloroplasts while animal cells do not
- Animal cells contain centrioles and some have microvilli while plant cells do not
Animal cells are a type of eukaryotic cell
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that have a cellulose cell wall, permanent vacuole, and chroroplasts