Plant and animal cells contain a nucleus, cell
membrane, mitochondria and cytoplasm. Plant cells also
contain chloroplasts, a cellulose cell wall and a vacuole.
A typical plant cell
Cell wall - made of cellulose, it strengthens and
supports the cell.
Permanent vacuole - filled with cell sap, it helps
to support the cell
Cytoplasm - most chemical reactions take place
here.
Nucleus - controls what the cell does and
contains the genetic information. Has a membrane
extending from it onto which ribosomes attached
Ribosome - where protein synthesis occurs
Chloroplast - contains chlorophyll which
absorbs light energy to make glucose.
Cell membrane - controls movement into and
out of the cell
Bacterial cells
Bacteria are very small single-celled organisms.
Animal and plant cells are 10 to 100 times bigger.
Bacterial cells do not have a true nucleus,
mitochondria, chloroplasts or a vacuole.
Plants keep their DNA inside their nucleus but
bacterial cells do not have a nucleus so their
DNA floats as circular strands.
Growth
Growth can be measured as an increase in height or mass. Animals grow by increasing the number of
cells in the early part of their lives. The cells specialise or differentiate at an early stage into different
types of cell to form tissues and organs. All parts of animals grow, but growth eventually stops.
Plants grow by cell division and cell enlargement. They gain height mainly through cell enlargement.
Many plant cells retain the ability to differentiate so they can grow continually throughout their life.
Growth only happens in the roots and the shoot tips - areas called meristems.
Growth in organisms generally follows a typical S shape pattern.