Cell Explorer
Zoom inside the cell: eukaryotic vs prokaryotic, every organelle and its job, and how cells specialise for a purpose.
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Cell Explorer 🔬
Every living thing is built from **cells**. Zoom in and you find tiny structures — each with a job — packed inside. This mission: tell the two cell *types* apart, name every structure and what it does, and see how cells become **specialised**. Suit up.
Two types of cell 🦠
All cells fall into two types: • **Eukaryotic** cells have a **nucleus** holding their genetic material. Animal and plant cells are eukaryotic. • **Prokaryotic** cells (**bacteria**) are much **smaller** and have **no nucleus** — their DNA is a single loop floating free in the cytoplasm, sometimes with extra small rings called **plasmids**.
Spot the difference
What is the key difference between a **prokaryotic** and a **eukaryotic** cell?
- A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus
- A prokaryotic cell has no DNA at all
- A prokaryotic cell is much bigger
- Only prokaryotic cells can be plant cells
Structures in every cell 🧫
Animal (and plant) cells share these sub-cellular structures: • **Nucleus** — controls the cell and holds the genetic material (DNA). • **Cytoplasm** — jelly where most chemical reactions happen. • **Cell membrane** — controls what enters and leaves the cell. • **Mitochondria** — site of **aerobic respiration**, releasing energy. • **Ribosomes** — site of **protein synthesis**.
Find the control centre
An interactive activity.
Match the job
- Nucleus
- Cell membrane
- Mitochondria
- Ribosomes
- Cytoplasm
- Controls the cell; holds the DNA
- Controls what enters and leaves
- Site of aerobic respiration
- Site of protein synthesis
- Where most chemical reactions happen
Plant cells have extras 🌿
A plant cell has **everything an animal cell has, plus three more**: • **Cell wall** — made of **cellulose**; strengthens and supports the cell. • **Chloroplasts** — contain **chlorophyll**; the site of **photosynthesis**. • **Permanent vacuole** — filled with **cell sap**; keeps the cell firm (turgid).
Find the food factory
An interactive activity.
Plant-only structures
Pick the THREE structures found in plant cells but NOT in animal cells.
- Cell wall
- Chloroplasts
- Permanent vacuole
- Nucleus
- Mitochondria
Cells with a speciality 🧬
Cells aren't all the same. Through **differentiation**, a cell becomes **specialised** — gaining the sub-cellular structures suited to a particular job. In animals, most differentiation happens **early** in development; in plants, many cells keep the ability to differentiate throughout life.
Built for the job
- Sperm cell
- Nerve cell
- Root hair cell
- Xylem cell
- Phloem cell
- A tail to swim to the egg
- Long, to carry electrical impulses
- A large surface area to absorb water
- Hollow tubes that carry water up the plant
- Tubes that transport dissolved sugars
Name the process
What is **differentiation**?
- The process by which a cell becomes specialised for its job
- A cell splitting into two identical cells
- A cell breaking down and dying
- A cell simply getting bigger
Why that shape?
A root hair cell has a long, thin projection sticking out into the soil. How does that help it?
- It gives a large surface area to absorb more water and mineral ions
- It catches more sunlight for photosynthesis
- It lets the cell swim through the soil
- It carries electrical impulses
In the exam 🎓
Mission complete. Grade-9 habits for cell structure: • **Eukaryotic** = has a nucleus (plant/animal); **prokaryotic** (bacteria) = no nucleus, DNA in a loop. • Know every structure's **function** — and that plant cells add a **cell wall, chloroplasts and a permanent vacuole**. • **Differentiation** makes cells **specialised**; link each specialised cell to how its shape fits its job.