GEN BIO CELL TYPES
All living things are made from one or more
cells. A cell is the simplest unit of life and
they are responsible for keeping an
organism alive and functioning.
Every cell is different but there are basic
structures that are common to all cells.
1) An outer boundary called the cell
membrane or plasma membrane that
regulates the passage of materials into and
out of the cell;
2) A gel-like substance making up cell’s
internal environment called cytoplasm; and
3) The genetic material in the form of DNA that
provides instructions to make proteins,
regulates activities, and enables cells to
reproduce.
Biologists recognize two main classifications
of cells: simple prokaryotes and the more
complex eukaryotes
Prokaryotic cells were here first and for
billions of years were the only form of life on
Earth. All prokaryotic organisms are
unicellular.
 Pro meaning “before”
 Karyon meaning “nucleus”
 The single-celled organisms of the domains
Bacteria and Archaea
Eukaryotic cells appeared on earth long
after prokaryotic cells but they are much
more advanced. Eukaryotic organisms
unlike prokaryotic can be unicellular or
multicellular.
 Eu meaning “true”
 Karyon meaning “nucleus”
 Animal cells, plant cells, fungi, and protists
are eukaryotes
PROKARYOTES
 Most ancient
 Smaller in size
 With simple internal structures
 Enclosed by a plasma membrane encased
within a rigid cell wall.
This small size and simple structure allow these
organisms to reproduce very fast.
 Plasma membrane - a semipermeable
membrane responsible for the
prokaryote to allow waste products to
pass through while preventing the
diffusion of essential products to the
external environment.
 Cell wall - responsible for maintaining its
shape, especially when cells are
exposed to high water influx.
Some prokaryotic cells have a capsule that
acts as a protective layer made up of
polysaccharides lying outside the cell wall.
Lacks a distinct nucleus but possesses an
irregular-shaped region called nucleoid
region.
 Nucleoid region- where it stores its
genetic material in the form of DNA.
Its cytoplasm is not organized into distinct
interior compartments.
Scattered throughout the cytoplasm are
small structures called ribosomes where
proteins are made.
Some bacteria also possess a plasmid.
 Plasmid - an independent circular  
DNA structure
Some prokaryotes also possess
appendages like flagellum, fimbriae, and
conjugation pili.
 Flagellum - a tail like appendage
which allow locomotion.
 Fimbriae - an additional smaller and
bristle-like fiber that grow over the
prokaryotic cell’s surface.
o They help bacteria to attach
themselves to surfaces.
Conjugation pili - tubular structures present
in the cell surface that function for cell-to-cell
communication, as well as to pass DNA
from one bacterium to the next.
EUKARYOTES
 Larger in size
 More complex structural components
 All higher forms of organisms such as
fungi, plants, and protists.
 Eukaryotic cells have their genetic
material (DNA) encased within a distinct
nucleus.
 DNA form is linear.
 These cells have many membrane-
bound interior compartments and their
organelles are neatly arranged.
The difference between the structure of
prokaryotes and eukaryotes is so great that
it is considered to be the most important
distinction among groups of organisms.
SIMILARITIES
Both types of cells have cell membranes or
plasma membranes (outer covering of the
cell).
Both types of cells have ribosomes.
Both types of cells have DNA.
Both types of cells have a gel-like substance
making up the cell’s internal environment
known as the cytoplasm.

PLANT CELLS
Plant cell, the basic unit of all plants. Plant
cells, like animal cells, are eukaryotic, meaning
they have a membrane-bound nucleus and
organelles. Plant cells have a distinct set of
features and characteristics. They are different
to the cells of organisms from other kingdoms of
life.
The cells of plants are eukaryotic. A eukaryotic
cell is any cell with a ‘true’ nucleus and
organelles. This immediately separates plant
cells from the cells of bacteria and archaea.
Plant cells are similar to animal cells in that they
are both eukaryotic cells and have similar
organelles. However, there are a number of
differences between plant and animal cells.
CELL WALL
Unlike animal cells, plant cells have a cell
wall surrounding the cell membrane. The
cell wall provides strength and support to
the plant.
LARGE CENTRAL VACUOLE
A plant cell contains a large, singular
vacuole that is used for storage and
maintaining the shape of the cell. In
contrast, animal cells have many, smaller
vacuoles.
Most adult plant cells have one large
vacuole that takes up more than 30% of the
cell's volume. At certain times and
conditions, the vacuole takes up as much as
80% of the cell’s volume!
CHLOROPLAST
Unlike animal cells, plant cells can harness
the energy of the Sun, store it in the
chemical bonds of sugar and later use this
energy. The organelle which is responsible
for this is the chloroplast. Chloroplasts
contain chlorophyll; the green pigment that
gives leaves their color and absorbs light
energy.
PLASMODESMATA
These pores or channels are found between
plant cell walls and allow molecules and
communication signals to pass between
individual plant cells.
SIZE & SHAPE
Plant cells similar in shape with most cells
being rectangular or cube-shaped.
ANIMAL CELLS
All animal cells are multicellular. They are
eukaryotic cells. Animal cells are surrounded by
a plasma membrane and it contains the nucleus
and organelles that are membrane-bound.
Unlike the eukaryotic cells of plants and fungi,
animal cells do not have a cell wall. This feature
was lost in the distant past by the single-celled
organisms that gave rise to the kingdom
Animalia.
Animal cells are of various sizes and have
irregular shapes. Most of the cells size range
between 1 and 100 micrometers and are visible
only with the microscope. Trillions of cells are
found in the human body. There are many
different types of cells, approximately 210
distinct cell types in the adult human body.

CENTRIOLES

Animal cells have centrioles.

This is distinctly found in the animal cell,
which has the ability to replicate or make
copies by itself. It is made up of 9
microtubule bundles and their primary
function is to assist in organizing the cell
division process.

LYSOSOMES

Lysosomes are round-shaped, membrane-

bound structures containing chemicals that can
break down materials in the cell.

CILIA OR FLAGELLA

These are locomotive projections found on

the surface of the cell. They allow the cell to
move like an oar or a whip.

Cilia look like little hairs with much shorter

length.

Flagella, on the other hand, look like a whip

or tail.

SIZE & SHAPE

Animal cells shape and sizes vary greatly

from irregular shapes to round shapes

Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic cells,

so they have several features in common, such
as the presence of a cell membrane,
cytoplasm, DNA and cell organelles, like the
nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi
apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum.