IGCSE Biology / Life processes

Animal and plant cells under the microscope revision notes

Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1), chapter 1: Life processes, specification point 2.2, 2.3, 2.4. Free lesson.

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Animal and plant cells share five structures, while plant cells have three additional structures. Knowing each structure’s function, and the difference between the cell wall and cell membrane, helps you label cells accurately.

The five structures in animal and plant cells

Start with an animal cell. Its five structures are also found in plant cells. Learn a function for each one, because a label alone may not earn the full mark. Nucleus: contains genetic material and controls the activities of the cell. Cytoplasm: a jelly-like substance where most chemical reactions happen. It contains enzymes that control these reactions. Cell membrane: controls what enters and leaves the cell. Mitochondria: the site of aerobic respiration, which releases most of the energy the cell needs. Ribosomes: the site where proteins are made.

The three structures added in plant cells

A plant cell has the same five structures, plus a cell wall, chloroplasts and a permanent vacuole. Each has a different role in supporting the plant or making food. The cell wall is made of cellulose. It supports the cell and helps it keep its shape. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light. Photosynthesis happens inside chloroplasts. The permanent vacuole is filled with cell sap. When it is full, it pushes outwards on the cell wall, helping keep the plant firm and upright. Plant cells also have a cell membrane just inside the wall. Their nucleus,…

How animal and plant cells differ

The main differences come from the wall, chloroplasts and vacuole. These structures affect the cell’s shape and how it stores carbohydrate. Animal cells have no cell wall. Plant cells have a cellulose wall outside the membrane. Animal cells have no chloroplasts. Plant cells have chloroplasts in cells that get light. Root cells get no light, so they have no chloroplasts. Animal cells may have small, temporary vacuoles. Plant cells have one large, permanent vacuole filled with cell sap. Animal cells have no fixed shape. A plant cell’s wall gives it a fixed, often boxy shape. Animals store…

Do not confuse the wall with the membrane

These structures sit next to each other but have different jobs. The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves. The cellulose cell wall is fully permeable, so it cannot select what passes through. The wall supports the cell and helps stop it bursting when water enters. The membrane is just inside the wall and controls what gets in and out.

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