GCSE Biology revision

Animal and plant cells

Cell structure

AQA 4.1.1.1

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AQA student objectives

Learning pathway

ALL 🎯

Identify the main sub-cellular structures of animal and plant cells and state their functions.

MOST 🎯🎯

Compare animal and plant cells and explain how their sub-cellular structures are related to their functions.

SOME 🎯🎯🎯

Apply knowledge of sub-cellular structures to interpret unfamiliar cell diagrams and justify estimations of their relative size or area.

Revision summary

Read on screen, then print for Cornell-style active revision.

Animals are eukaryotes, meaning their genetic material (DNA) is enclosed within a nucleus.
The nucleus controls the cell's activities by containing the genetic material needed for cell function.
Under a light microscope, nuclei are often stained to make them visible, though they are not naturally coloured.

The cytoplasm is a watery solution that fills the cell and is the site of many chemical reactions, including the first stage of respiration.
The cell membrane surrounds the entire cell and controls which molecules can enter and leave, maintaining the cell's internal environment.

Mitochondria are small structures found inside the cell that cannot be seen under a standard light microscope without special staining.
Mitochondria are the sites where aerobic respiration takes place, releasing energy for the cell to use.

Ribosomes are extremely small structures that cannot be seen using a light microscope; an electron microscope is required to view them.
Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, where proteins such as enzymes are made for use throughout the cell.

The five key structures to identify in an animal cell diagram are: the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, and ribosomes.
Being able to correctly label and describe the function of each part is an essential skill for GCSE Biology exams.

The nucleus contains genetic material and is present in both plant and animal cells, confirming that plants are eukaryotes.
The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance found in both cell types where many chemical reactions take place.
The cell membrane controls which molecules enter and leave the cell in both plant and animal cells.
Mitochondria carry out aerobic respiration and are found in both plant and animal cells.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis and are present in both plant and animal cells.

6. Shared Structures: Plant & Animal CellsAQA

The nucleus contains genetic material and is present in both plant and animal cells, confirming that plants are eukaryotes.
The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance found in both cell types where many chemical reactions take place.
The cell membrane controls which molecules enter and leave the cell in both plant and animal cells.
Mitochondria carry out aerobic respiration and are found in both plant and animal cells.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis and are present in both plant and animal cells.

Chloroplasts are green structures found packed inside plant cells but absent in animal cells.
Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

7. Chloroplasts: The Photosynthesis PowerhouseAQA

Chloroplasts are green structures found packed inside plant cells but absent in animal cells.
Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall, which is an additional layer not found in animal cells.
The cell wall is made from a carbohydrate called cellulose, which strengthens and supports the cell.
Simple plant-like organisms such as algae also possess a cellulose cell wall, showing how widespread this structure is.

8. The Cell Wall: Strength & SupportAQA

Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall, which is an additional layer not found in animal cells.
The cell wall is made from a carbohydrate called cellulose, which strengthens and supports the cell.
Simple plant-like organisms such as algae also possess a cellulose cell wall, showing how widespread this structure is.

Plant cells contain a large, permanent vacuole, which is absent in animal cells.
The vacuole is filled with a fluid called cell sap.
Because it is packed with fluid, the vacuole helps to maintain the shape of the plant cell.

Unlike animal cells, plant cells have a regular, fixed shape due to the presence of the cell wall.
Plant cells appear green under a microscope because they are densely packed with chloroplasts containing chlorophyll.