Cell Biology: Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

Vocabulary flashcards defining the structures, functions, and sizes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Eukaryotes

Cells that contain a nucleus, including both animal and plant cells.

Prokaryotes

Bacterial cells that have no nucleus and no mitochondria; an electron microscope is needed to see them.

Nucleus

A sub-cellular structure that controls cell activities and contains DNA.

Cytoplasm

The part of the cell where chemical reactions take place.

Cell membrane

The structure that controls what goes into and out of the cell.

Ribosomes

Sub-cellular structures that make proteins from amino acids and are too small to see with a light microscope.

Mitochondria

Sub-cellular structures that release energy by respiration.

Cell wall

A structure that provides strength and support; in plant cells, it is made of cellulose.

Sap vacuole

A structure in plant cells that contains cell sap.

Chloroplast

A plant cell structure that contains chlorophyll to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.

Circular DNA

The structure in bacterial cells that controls the cell activities.

Plasmid

A small ring of DNA found in prokaryotic (bacterial) cells.

Animal cell size

Approximately $10\,\text{micrometres}$.

Plant cell size

Approximately $50\,\text{micrometres}$.

Bacterial cell size

Approximately $5\,\text{micrometres}$.