Interactive Resources for Schools
This topic takes on average 55 minutes to read.
There are a number of interactive features in this resource:
Biology
Chemistry
Cells are building blocks, and there are different parts in different types of cells. Each of these parts, or organellesorganelles
A distinct part of the cell, such as the nucleus, ribosome or mitochondrion, which has structure and function.
, has a particular function within the cell, just as each type of cell has a particular function in the body.
| Organelle | Present in animal cells? | Present in plant cells? | Function |
| Cell membranemembrane A thin, flexible sheet-like structure that acts as a lining or a boundary in an organism. |
Yes | Yes | The barrier of the cell, regulates what can get in and out of the cell. |
| Cell wall | No | Yes | Gives the cell support and protection. |
| Cytoplasm | Yes | Yes | The inside of the cell, where most cellular reactions occur. |
| Mitochondriamitochondria Organelle(s) within cells that produce ATP, used as a store of chemical energy. Often called the cell's powerhouse |
Yes | Yes | The ‘powerhouse of the cell’, where energy for the cell is generated. |
| Nucleus | Yes | Yes | Contains the cell’s genetic blueprint (its DNA). |
| Chloroplast | No | Yes | The location of photosynthesis. |
| Vacuole | No | Yes | Keeps the cell rigid. |
Both animal and plant cells rely on the ability to let certain molecules enter the leave the cell, such as oxygen. They do this through certain processes, such as diffusiondiffusion
The spreading out of the particles of a gas or any substance in solution down a concentration gradient.
. The animation below explains diffusion, osmosisosmosis
The movement of water through a partially permeable membrane down a concentration gradient from a dilute solution (where there is a high concentration of water) to a concentrated solution (where there is a relatively low concentration of water).
and active transportactive transport
The process which uses energy to move substances against a concentration gradient or across a partially permeable membrane using a special transport protein.
, which are fundamental to a cell’s survival.