TOPIC : 2.

0 CELL AS A
UNIT OF LIFE
SUB-TOPIC : 2.1
PROKARYOTIC AND
EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Learning Outcome
At the end of this topic, students will be
able to :

Describe and compare the structures of

prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

KEY-CONCEPT / TERMS
• Prokaryote,
• Prokaryotic cells,
• Eukaryote,
• Eukaryotic cells,
• Photosynthesis,
• Plant cell and
• Animal cell

PROKARYOTIC AND
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
Prokaryotic Cells
•A prokaryote is a single-celled organism
• Very small (less than 5 - 10 m
(micrometers) *1µm = 10-6m
• lacks membrane-bound organelles and
•has a single circular chromosome.
 Structure of prokaryotic cell
• Lacks nuclear
envelope

• Naked DNA: single,

circular strand of
DNA

• Nucleoid

Plasma Membrane

• Plasma membrane: made up of phospholipids

for exchange of waste product and nutrients.

Plasma
Membrane

• Cell wall: wall surrounding their plasma

membrane, made of peptidoglycan to maintain
the shape and protect the cell.

Plasma
Membrane

• Capsule: polysaccharide or protein coating

secreted outside the cell wall
 Plasma
Membrane

• Pili (singular, pilus): attach to the surface and to

exchange the genetic material (conjugation).

Plasma Membrane

• Ribosomes: tiny organelles found in large

numbers in the cytoplasm

Plasma Membrane

• Flagella (singular: flagellum): used for

movement, may or may not be present.

Eukaryotic cell
• Larger than prokaryotic cell, diameter 10-
100µm.
• Has nucleus
• Has linear strand of DNA within its nucleus
• Has many membrane-bound organelles with
large ribosomes
• Contains cytoplasm which is semifluid
matrix and other components
• Example: animal cell, plant cell
• Eukaryotic cells however are not all alike.
• Each type of cell has a few unique organelles
not found in the other.
• Plant cells for example contain chloroplast,
plastids and central vacuole which are not
found in the animal cells.
• Animal cells have centrioles

Animal cell Plant cell

Structure of animal cell

• Surrounded by plasma membrane

• The nucleus is identical to that in the plant cells

• Centrosome (a region) consists of centrioles.

• Contains organelles of various types
• No chloroplasts.
 Plant Cell

• Cell wall is composed of cellulose,

• The nucleus controls and directs the
activities of the cell

• The nucleus is surrounded by nuclear

envelope (membrane).

• The vacuole is surrounded by a specialised

membrane called tonoplast
 • Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll - site of
photosynthesis.
• Starch granules occur in chloroplast

• There are cytoplasmic connections between

cells called plasmodesmata

Differences between plant and

animal cells
Feature Plant cell Animal cell

Cell wall Present Absent

Plasmodesma Present Absent

ta
Chloroplast Present Absent

Vacuole Large, Small,

permanent temporary
Reserve food Starch Glycogen

Comparison between Prokaryotic

and Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryote
Cell structure Prokaryote
Plant Animal
Cell wall peptidoglycan cellulose absent
Plasma present present present
membrane
Nucleus absent present present
DNA circular linear linear
Nucleolus absent present present
 Eukaryote
Cell structure Prokaryote
Plant Animal
Ribosome present present present
Membrane-bound absent present present
organelles
Photosynthetic present present absent
pigment
Central vacuole absent present absent

Differences between Prokaryotes

and Eukaryote
Feature Prokaryote Eukaryote
Cell size 0.5-10 m 10-100 m
Nucleus absent present
•DNA is •DNA is linear and
circular, lies free located in nucleus
in cytoplasm
Genetic
material
•DNA is not •DNA is associates
associates with with protein to form
protein (naked) chromosomes

Feature Prokaryote Eukaryote

Organelles No membrane- Membrane-bound
bound organelles present
organelle

Cell walls Peptidoglycan Compound of cell

is main wall in
strengthening Plant cell: cellulose
compound of
cell walls

TISSUES AND ORGANS

TISSUE
A group of cells
Together carry out specific functions
Example : muscle tissue
ORGAN
A structure composed of two or more tissue
types that function together
Example : liver, kidney or skin

CELL TISSUE ORGAN

Animal Tissues

Animal tissues can be divided into four major

categories :
epithelial tissue
connective tissue
muscle tissue
nerve tissue

Epithelial Tissues

• One of the simplest tissues.

• Lining tissues : cover the surface of the body
and the organs within it.
• Also lines various spaces and tubes
• The cells are firmly attached to each other.

• Main function : protection.

• Other functions:
Absorption
Exchange materials by diffusion.
As a gland ; secrete mucus or enzyme.

8
 Simple Epithelial Tissues

• Simple squamous
• Simple cuboidal Consist of single
• Simple columnar layer of cells

Simple squamous epithelial tissues

Characteristics :
Cells are flattened.
Thin layer
Functions:
Diffusion, filtration,
secretion
Distribution:
the linings of blood and
lymph vessels, heart and
alveoli

Simple cuboidal epithelial tissues

Characteristics :
cubical in shape.
Function :
Specialised for absorption
and secretion.
Distribution :
Make up the epithelial of
kidney tubules and many
glands – thyroid and salivary
glands.

Simple columnar epithelial tissues

Characteristics:
Elongated cell
Relatively large cytoplasmic
volume.
Function:
secretion and
absorption
Distribution:
linings of small intestine.
oviduct (fallopian tube)
glands
ducts
 Stratified Squamous Epithelial

• Several layers of
squamous epithelial
cells.
• Division of lower cells
causes older one to
be pushed towards
the surface, becoming
flattened as they
move.

• Function – protection.
• Main location – skin; lining of
mouth and lining of vagina

Connective tissues

• Consist of cells, fibers

and matrix
• The major types of
connective tissues in
vertebrates are:
a) Bone
b) Cartilage
c) Blood

Bone

• Cell : osteocytes
• Matrix : calcium salt
such as calcium
phosphate
• Fibers : collagen.
• Function : movement,
support the body and
protect many of the
organs.
 Cartilage Tissue
• Cell : chondrocyte
• Matrix : chondroitin
sulphate
• Fiber : collagen
• Function : act as a
shock absorber,
cushioning bones
during movement

Blood
Cell : erythrocytes
(red blood cells),
leukocytes (white
blood cells) and cell Leukocytes

fragments called
platelets
Matrix : plasma.
The plasma consists
of water, salts and a
variety of dissolved
proteins
Fiber : none

Skeletal muscle

• Characteristic : tissue
is striated, cell are
large, long and
cylindrical with
several nuclei
• Function : voluntary
movement
• Distribution : attach to
skeletal bones

Smooth muscle.
• Characteristic : tissue is
not striated; spindle shape
cells have a single centrally
located nucleus
• Function: Responsible in
involuntary activities.
• Distribution : located in the
wall of digestive tract,
uterus, bladder and large
blood vessel.
Cardiac muscle.
• Characteristics: tissue
is striated; cells are
cylindrical and
branching with a
single centrally
located nucleus
• Function : involuntary
activities (contraction
of the heart)
• Distribution: wall of
the heart

Nerve Tissue
Neuron
• Structure : Neuron
consist of 4 major
parts; dendrites, cell
body, axon, synaptic
terminals.
• Function : to generate
electrical signals and
to conduct these
signals to other
neuron, muscle and
gland.

Plant tissues

• Plant tissues can be

divided into three
major categories :
dermal tissues
ground tissues
vascular tissues

Dermal tissues
• Outer covering of the plant body
• Epidermal tissue consist of cuticle (water proof)
except for roots.
• This dermal tissue is composed primarily of cork
cells which is thick, water proof walls and dead
at maturity
 Ground tissues
• There are three types :
-parenchyma
-collenchyma
-schlerenchyma

Parenchyma

• Structure :Large, thin

walled, and have a
large central vacoule
and least specialized
• Distribution:
-Cortex, pith, packing
tissue in xylem and
phloem

Functions :

• Forming major component of stems and roots

(Packing tissue)
• support in herbaceous plant
• intercellular air spaces, allow gaseous exchange
• Food storage
• photosynthesis
 Collenchyma
• Structures : uneven
thick wall especially at
their corners
• Functions :
-provide mechanical
support (herbaceous
plant)
• Distribution :
- below the epidermis
- outer region of cortex
and young stems

Sclerenchyma

• Structures : thick
secondary cell walls
• Functions :
mechanical support
• Distribution:
- Occur in regions of
plant that have
stopped growing in
length
- Found in stems and
leaf veins

Vascular tissues
• Consist of two complex conducting tissues:
-xylem
-phloem
 Xylem

• Structures :the main components are

- vessel elements
- tracheids
• Functions: Conduct water and minerals from
roots to shoot

Phloem

• Structures :The main

components are
-sieve tube elements
-companion cells
• Functions :
translocation of
organic compounds
from the leaves to the
other parts of the
plant.

Sieve tube elements

• Conduct the product of photosynthesis from the
place where they are manufactured (leaves) to
roots, tips, flower, fruit etc.

Companion cells
• A non-conducting nucleated cell, connected to the
sieve-tube member.
• Provide energy in the form of ATP for the transport
of sugar and amino acids by active transport