Comparative Cell Structure in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Comparative Cell Structure in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Eukaryote Vs Prokaryote

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify the organelles found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and describe their functions. At the end of the lesson you will understand the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.

What do you already know about cell structures?

Overview of Cell Types

• Eukaryotic cells: cells with a nucleus and organelles enclosed within membranes.
• Prokaryotic cells: simpler cells without a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Organelles and Functions

• Nucleus: houses the cell's DNA and controls its activities.
• Mitochondria: produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
• Golgi apparatus: modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.

Unique Features of Plant and Animal Cells

• Plant cells have chloroplasts, a cell wall, and large central vacuoles.
• Animal cells have lysosomes and centrioles.

Similarities and Differences

• Both cell types share common structures such as ribosomes, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm.
• Plant and animal cells share organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes.

Summary

• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles, found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and have a simpler structure, found in bacteria and archaea.

Definition List

• Eukaryotic cells: Cells with a nucleus and organelles enclosed within membranes.
• Prokaryotic cells: Simpler cells without a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• Organelle: A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.
• Nucleus: The organelle that houses the cell's DNA and controls its activities.
• Mitochondria: Organelles that produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
• Golgi apparatus: An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.
• Lysosomes: Organelles containing enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris.
• Chloroplasts: Organelles found in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis.
• Cell wall: A rigid layer that provides support and protection to plant cells.
• Central vacuole: A large vacuole in plant cells that stores water and maintains turgor pressure.
• Centrioles: Structures in animal cells that play a role in cell division.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.