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High school biology
Basic cell structures review
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cell | Basic unit of living things |
| Organelle | Specialized cell structure that performs a specific function |
Common cell organelles
| Organelle | Function | Found in all cells? |
|---|---|---|
| Cell membrane | Supports/protects cell; controls movement of substances into/out of cell; separates cell from its environment | Yes |
| Cell wall | Stiff, rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane to support/protect the cell | No |
| Cytoplasm | Clear, thick, jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane that contains the other organelles | Yes |
| Ribosome | Small bodies floating in cytoplasm (or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum) that make proteins | Yes |
Cell movement structures
| Organelle | Function |
|---|---|
| Flagella | Whip/tail-like structure that helps propel the cell forward |
| Cilia | Short, hair-like structure that surround the cell and help it move |
| Pseudopodia | Extension of cytoplasm into the cell membrane that allows the cell to “crawl” |
What else should I know about basic cell structures?
- All cells contain genetic information. All living things must have genetic information that provides instructions for cellular activities. Some cells keep this genetic information in a nucleus, while others store it differently.
- The cell wall and cell membrane are not the same thing. All cells have a cell membrane, but not all cells have a cell wall. Cell walls are very rigid, which makes the cell harder to move. They can be made up of a variety of substances, so cell walls in plant cells are different than those found in bacterial cells.
Want to join the conversation?
is a Flagella found in both prokaryotic and Eukaryota cell and same goes for cillia(19 votes)
Yes, Flagella is found in both prokaryotic cells and Eukaryota cell. For example- Bacteria have flagella:Prokaryotic cells
Euglena have flagella: Eukaryota cells
Only Eukaryota cells have cilia, not Prokaryotic cells(24 votes)
what are the difference between plants and animal cells(6 votes)
plant cells tend to have all the features of an animal cell: mitochondria, nucleus, cytoplasm, ribosomes and cell membrane. But plants also have a vacuole, a cell wall, and chloroplasts.
Furthermore, they can grow in different ways. Plant cells (more specifically stem cells) are usually pluripotent stem cells, meaning they can differentiate into any cell. This is why they never cease to grow and can regenerate. Animals only have pluripotent stem cells when they are embryos or early fetuses. But once they are adults, they will mainly have multipotent stem cells which are for repair mainly.
But plant cells do have an extra feature: they can elongate! This allows them to be very big.(8 votes)
Which cells have cell walls?(5 votes)
Plant cells, algae, fungi and in all of the prokaryotes with the exception of the mollicute bacteria. Hope this helps!(5 votes)
- Are the structures within cells made of even smaller cell-like components or of atomic structures, ie. carbon atoms, etc ?(5 votes)
At the biological level, all organisms we now find can be classified as carbon-based, that is, our basic building blocks are made up of carbon-14 and other compounds.(1 vote)
- are cells and atoms the same size or cells are smaller or bigger then them?(2 votes)
Cells are much larger than atoms. Atoms are the basic building block of all matter; cells are the basic unit of life.(7 votes)
Why are atoms non-living things?(3 votes)
An atom is not a living thing because it does not share the seven characteristics of living things which are: order, sensitivity or response to the environment, reproduction, growth and development, regulation, homeostasis, and energy processing; In fact, it does not possess any of the characteristics.(5 votes)
How do ribosomes make proteins?(4 votes)- There are a few pages and videos on this process here on Khan Academy, it is called translation.
Start here, then see the other things in that playlist for even more info if you want
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/gene-expression-central-dogma/translation-polypeptides/v/translation-mrna-to-protein(2 votes)
- what does the cell wall help for?(2 votes)
It helps with providing a rigid and stiff structure to support and protect cells. Isn't apparent in all cells.(6 votes)
Are cells bigger than atoms?
Are there atoms on cells?(0 votes)
Yes and yes!! Atoms are smaller than cells and they make up cells.(9 votes)
- are cells and atoms the same?(2 votes)
Atoms are just materials which combined makes molecules , they are mostly non - living but cells are living beings(2 votes)