Ultrastructure of cells 1.2

Eukaryote cells are larger than prokaryote cells and they have a more compartmentalised structure since endosymbiosis led to the creation of organelles. There are two basic types to  draw, eukaryote and prokaryote cells. In this topic it's important to be able to recognise organelles in cells and to suggest cell functions depending upon cell structure.

Key concepts

Learn and test your biological vocabulary for 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells using these flash cards.

Essentials

These slides summarise the essential understanding and skills in this topic. 
They contain short explanations in text and images - good revision for all students.

Read the slides and look up any words or details you find difficult to understand.

Stretch for 7

These slides cover difficult parts of this topic - important if you are aiming for a high grade.
If grade 5 is your target, then save time, move on, study this information later, once you have revised the other topics.

Summary

Summary list for topic 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells

  • Know and be able to draw the simple structure of Prokaryote cells
  • Know and draw the compartmentalised structure of Eukaryotic cells.
  • Understand that the resolving power of electron microscopes is between 10µm and 1nm
    whereas light microscopes resolve details between 1mm and 1µm.

Skills and applications

  • Ability to identify organelles from microscope images of cells.
  • Ability to explain how the composition of organelles will be different in cells with different functions,
    (e.g. goblet cells which make mucus and palisade mesophyll cells which do photosynthesis).
  • Explain how the structure of prokaryotes allows them to divide by binary fission. 

Mindmaps

This diagram summaries the main sections of topic 1.2 Cell ultrastructure.
Test if you can draw your own list or concept map from memory.

Exam style questions

Video tutorials

How to draw a eukaryote animal cell diagram quickly in an exam.

How to draw a eukaryote animal cell in an exam. From David Faure on Vimeo.

How to identify organelles in electron microscope images and to explain how the structures relate to the cell's function.

Interpreting electron microscope images from David Faure on Vimeo.

This video help students to identify organelles and to make the link between cell structure and function.

Extra exam question on the structure of plant cells - -   click the + symbol to open it -- >

Draw a labelled diagram showing the structure of a plant cell as it would be seen in an electron micrograph of a leaf. (4)





 

Click the "+" to reveal a model answer

Extra exam question about prokaryote cell structure -  click the + symbol to open it -- >

Here is an example of a poor drawing of a prokaryotic cell.

This is what the teacher said about this diagram:

  • The label lines are inaccurate.
  • The flagellum is not in proportion to the cell.
  • The nucleoid is incorrectly drawn.
  • Cell wall and "cell membrane" are unclear.
  • Missing/not labelled - plasmid, plasma membrane (not cell membrane), 70s ribosomes.
  • Examiner hint - use clear solid lines and try to show size and shape in proportion.

Draw a better labelled diagram showing the correct structure of a prokaryote cell as it might be seen in an electron microscope image. (4)

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Click the "+" to reveal a model answer

Test yourself

Multiple choice questions

This self marking multiple choice quiz contains questions covering the topic.


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Drag and drop activities

Test your ability to construct biological explanations using the drag and drop questions below.

Test your construction of biological knowledge using the drag and drop questions below.

Contrasting Eukaryote and Prokaryote cell structure.

Drag and drop the correct term into the gap to outline the differences between the cell structure of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.

1

 

plasmids 80s animal are always may nucleus 70s single multicellular mitochondria cell membrane chloroplasts naked protein membrane

Prokaryotic cells have a DNA whereas eukaryotic cells have chromosomes consisting of DNA and in a true membrane bound .

Prokaryotes are always celled whereas eukaryotes be .

Both eukaryotic cells and prokaryotes have ribosomes, but they are in prokaryotes and (larger) in eukaryotes.

Only eukaryotic cells have bound organelles such as and, in plant cells, .

Prokaryotes have cell walls; eukaryotic cells do not have a cell wall.

Explanation/Examiner hint. Contrast means to give the differences, using direct comparison.


Extra drag and drop explanation on prokaryote and eukaryote nuclear material click the '+' symbol

Test your construction of biological explanations using the drag and drop questions below.

Contrasting the hereditary material of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.

Drag and drop the correct term into the gap to outline the differences between the nuclear material of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes.

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nucleoid plasmids proteins chromosomes DNA linear circular membrane bound

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have as their hereditary material.

Prokaryotic cells have a whereas eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus.

Prokaryotic cells have DNA, eukaryotic cells have DNA.

Prokaryotic cells have naked DNA: eukaryotic cells have DNA associated with , forming .

Prokaryotic cells may contain , but eukaryotic cells do not.

Explanation/Examiner hint. Use direct comparisons in two phrases in single sentences with appropriate conjunctions or punctuation inbetween the phrases (such as; , : but, and, whereas).

You could respond in a table to a question of this type.


Just for fun

Try this matching flashcards game.
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