Cell types

The Mackay SchoolFifth Grade 2014

CELL TYPES

Animal and plants have different types of cells. But, they have similar cellular organization.

What are some differences in organelles you find in the pictures?

Which picture represents an animal cell and which one represents a plant cell?

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The Mackay SchoolFifth Grade 2014

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Complete the following Venn diagram to compare both animal and plant cells.

Animal cells Plant cells

FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANELLES OF CELLS

The organelles in a cell perform specific functions. Some of the main ones are described in the table.

Did you know?The microscope’s ability to magnify

A microscope allows you to see cells one thousand times bigger than their original size. In some cases, you can see the natural colours of the cells. To study the interior of a cell, you need an electron microscope. An electron microscope allows you to see the internal parts of a cell magnified 1,000,000 times. The images are in black and white. Sometimes people colour the original images.The invention of the microscope is generally attributed to Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1632 - 1723). However, this is not certain.

Why is the invention of the microscope so important in today’s society?

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Source: Science Learning for life (2012) Ediciones SM

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The Mackay SchoolFifth Grade 2014

Common organelles Organelles exclusive to plant cells

Mitochondria: These produce the energy for the cellular respiration. The vital functions of the cell depend on respiration.

Lysosomes: Organelles responsible for transforming substances to the interior of the cell.

Ribosomes: These structures help to form proteins.

Endoplasmic reticulum: This synthetizes and stores proteins and lipids. It also carries them inside and outside the cell.

Golgi apparatus: This organelle directs the movement of proteins and lipids outside the cell.

Large vacuole: It is larger than the other structures. It stores substances and maintains the shape of the cell.

Chloroplasts: They contain chlorophyll. Photosynthesis occurs in them.

Cell wall: It is a rigid skin. It is on the outside of the wall. It serves as protection and support.

THE VITAL FUNCTIONS OF CELLS

Nutrition Interaction ReproductionCells take the nutrients they need from their environment. For example: the cells in the human body take their nutrients from the blood.

Cells receive information from their environment and interact with it. For example: cells from muscle tissue. These cells interact with signals from the nervous system.

Cells from identical cells. They split and create two new cells. After a time, these cells split and form two others. The cells continue to split and multiply.

THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF CELLSWhen we look at cells through a microscope we notice that they have different shapes.

Muscle cells are long and thin. Red blood cells look like discs.

Nerve cells have a star shape.

The surface cells of the skin are flat.

Male reproductive cells, sperm cells, have a tail. They use that tail to swim.

Plant cells usually form polygons. The cell walls are rigid. This helps them to fit together like bricks in a wall.

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