Key points:

● All cells have a cell membrane that separates the inside and
the outside of the cell, and controls what goes in and comes
out. The cell membrane surrounds a cell’s cytoplasm, which
is a jelly-like substance containing the cell’s parts.
● Cells contain parts called organelles. Each organelle carries
out a specific function in the cell. A cell’s organelles work
alone and together to keep the whole cell functioning.
● Mitochondria are organelles that break down sugars. This
process releases energy that the cell can use.
● The nucleus is an organelle that contains a cell’s genes.
● Chloroplasts are organelles that carry out photosynthesis,
which makes the food plant cells need to live. This food is in
the form of sugars.
● Plant cells have chloroplasts and a cell wall, but animal cells
do not. The plant cell wall is outside the cell membrane, and
it provides structure for the cell.
On the left is a circle representing an animal cell. The cell
contains many cell parts with different shapes. A small
bean-shaped cell part is labeled mitochondrion. A medium-sized
circular cell part that has squiggly lines inside is labeled nucleus.
The outermost part of the cell, which is shown as an outline of
the cell, is labeled cell membrane. On the right is a four-sided
figure with rounded corners that represents a plant cell. The cell
contains many cell parts with different shapes. A small green
oval with stacks of darker green ovals inside is labeled
chloroplast. A medium-sized circle that has squiggly lines inside
is labeled nucleus. The outermost part of the cell, which is shown
as a thick outline of the figure, is labeled cell wall. A thinner layer
just inside the cell wall is labeled cell membrane. A small
bean-shaped cell part is labeled mitochondrion.

Cell diagrams showing a typical animal cell and plant cell. Image created with Biorender.com.