Eukaryotic Cells

Cellular Composition

• Every living thing is composed of cells, which are the smallest unit of life and can only be seen with a microscope.

Cell Classification

• Cells are divided into two categories: prokaryotic cells (single-cell organisms) and eukaryotic cells (based on genetic material placement).

Eukaryotic Cells

• There are two types of eukaryotic cells: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

Organelles in a Cell

• The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing DNA, which holds instructions for making proteins and other molecules.
• The nucleus directs all cell activities, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
• Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, producing energy by converting glucose and oxygen into ATP.
• The Golgi apparatus processes and packages proteins and lipids, and is involved in their transport within the cell and to the cell membrane.
• Chloroplasts (found only in plant cells) are responsible for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy stored in glucose.
• The cell membrane controls what enters and exits the cell, maintaining the internal environment by allowing nutrients in and waste products out.
• Lysosomes contain enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris, and are the cell's recycling center.
• Vacuoles are storage bubbles found in cells, storing nutrients, waste products, and other substances.
• The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that fills the cell, providing a medium for chemical reactions to occur and helping maintain the cell's shape.
• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis, with two types: Rough ER (with ribosomes) and Smooth ER.
• The cell wall (found only in plant cells) provides structure and support to the cell, offering protection and giving the cell its shape.

Learn about the two types of eukaryotic cells, their characteristics, and functions. This quiz covers the basics of eukaryotic cells, a fundamental topic in biology.