What are Cells?

Cells are what make up all living things. They are the building blocks of life. Plant and
animal are built up of cells that are stuck together.

Structure of Animal and Plant Cells

TIP It is important that you know the structure of animal and plant cells and are
able to label the different parts. It is a favourite with examiners to have diagrams of
cells requiring labelling in exams
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There are many similarities and differences between animal and plant cells.
Make sure you know these.
Similarities

Differences

1. Have a nucleus

1. Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall

2. Have a cytoplasm 2. Plant cells have a vacuole containing cell sap

3. Have a cell
membrane

3. Plant cells have chloroplast

4. Contain
mitochondria

4. Many plant cells have a box-like shape whilst animal cell

shape varies

5. Contain ribosomes 5. Plant cells have the nucleus to the side of the cell, animal cells
have a nucleus in the middle

Cell Specialisation
Now we have established the general features of both animal and plant cells we must also
remember that many cells do look different and this is because they have their own special
jobs to do. These cells display specialised features that make them suited to carry out their
specific function.

Cell Specialisation Animals

Cell Type
Red Blood Cell

Specific Function

Specialised Feature

Contain haemoglobin which

transports oxygen to other
Have biconcave shape
cells and around the body. for maximum surface area to
allow more oxygen to be
absorbed efficiently.
Biconcave shape also
allows for a flexible
framework which means cells
can squeeze through the
thinnest of capillaries.
Cells have a thin outer
membrane allowing oxygen to
diffuse through easily.
Have no nucleus so
there is more room for oxygen
to be carried in the cell and
hence around the body.

Sperm Cell
To fertilise the ovum
(female egg cell).

The tail of the sperm

cell enables it to swim to the
ovum and fertilise it.
The head is
streamlined also to aid
swimming
The head contains
genetic information and a
nucleus and has an enzyme to
help penetrate the egg cell
membrane to allow
fertilisation.
The middle section
immediately behind the head
is packed with mitochondria
to provide energy.

Nerve Cell

Transmit electrical nerve

impulses and so carry
Dendrites extend from
information from one part the cell body to make
of the body to another ie
connections with other
from receptor to an effector. neurones.
Have a long axon
(nerve fibre) to carry the
impulse to the target organ.

[Motor Nerve Cell]

End plate forms a

synapse with an effector (a
muscle or a gland).

Cell Specialisation Plants

Cell Type

Specific Function

Specialised Feature

Xylem Cell
Small tubes that
carry water from the
roots to the leaves.

Long and tube-like hollow

vessels to carry the water.
Cells have no end walls
between them so they form a
'pipeline' to carry the water.
Spirals and rings of lignin in
the cell walls strengthen them to
withstand pressure of water.

Root Hair Cell

Absorb water and
mineral ions from the
Located in the root epidermis
soil.
and in direct contact with the soil
Thin walls make up-take of
water easier.
Wall nearest the soil has a
long 'finger-like' projection with very
thin walls into the soil. This
projection increases the surface area

for more efficient uptake of water

and ions.

Leaf Palisade Cell

Carries out
photosynthesis.

Packed with chloroplasts

which contain the light absorbing
pigment chlorophyll.
Regular shaped closely
packed cells forming a continuous
layer for efficient and maximum
absorption of sunlight.