Cells and specialisation
All living things are made up of tiny, microscopic units which we call cells.
Animal cells
Animal cells are made up of many different elements:
| Structure | Function |
| Nucleus | Control centre of the cell. It contains the cell’s genetic information arranged in chromosomes. |
| Chromosomes | Threadlike structure found in the nucleus. Made of DNA which contains the genetic information of the cell. |
| Cytoplasm | Chemical reactions take place here. |
| Cell membrane | A selectively permeable boundary surrounding the cell which allows some substances to enter and leave the cell while preventing others. |
| Nuclear membrane | Surrounds nucleus. |
| Structure | Nucleus |
|---|---|
| Function | Control centre of the cell. It contains the cell’s genetic information arranged in chromosomes. |
| Structure | Chromosomes |
|---|---|
| Function | Threadlike structure found in the nucleus. Made of DNA which contains the genetic information of the cell. |
| Structure | Cytoplasm |
|---|---|
| Function | Chemical reactions take place here. |
| Structure | Cell membrane |
|---|---|
| Function | A selectively permeable boundary surrounding the cell which allows some substances to enter and leave the cell while preventing others. |
| Structure | Nuclear membrane |
|---|---|
| Function | Surrounds nucleus. |
Plant cells
Plant cells contain all of the elements which make up animal cells, but they also include:
| Structure | Function |
| Cellulose cell wall | A rigid structure outside the cell membrane that provides support. |
| Large permanent vacuole | Contains cell sap and when full pushes the cell membrane against the cell wall, providing support. |
| Chloroplasts | Contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that traps light for photosynthesis. |
| Structure | Cellulose cell wall |
|---|---|
| Function | A rigid structure outside the cell membrane that provides support. |
| Structure | Large permanent vacuole |
|---|---|
| Function | Contains cell sap and when full pushes the cell membrane against the cell wall, providing support. |
| Structure | Chloroplasts |
|---|---|
| Function | Contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that traps light for photosynthesis. |
Learn more about cell structure with Dr Alex Lathbridge.
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
Dr Alex Lathbridge breaks down the key facts about cell structure. Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
