Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme A - Unity & diversity

Explore Cell Structures & Types in Micrographs!

Word Count Emoji
560 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Prokaryotic cells

Imagine prokaryotic cells like the tiny bacteria you see under a microscope in biology class! 🦠

  • Single Cells: Often found alone or arranged in chains.
  • Size: Smaller than 5µm (like a fraction of a dust particle).
  • Shape: Rod-shaped (bacilli), round (cocci), or helical (spirilli) like twisted pasta.
  • Wall: They've got a tough exterior – a cell wall.
  • Nucleoid: No nucleus, just a lighter area in the cytoplasm.
  • Organelles: Super simple inside – no membrane-bound organelles or big vacuoles.
  • Real-world example: E. coli in your gut helping you digest food.

Plant cells 🌿

Plant cells are like the bricks that build plants, from roses to giant redwoods!

  • Multicellular: Usually working in a team, except for gametes and zygotes.
  • Size: More than 5µm, like a tiny leaf you can't see.
  • Shape: Regular with flat sides. The junctions between cells make them look like a neat patchwork quilt!
  • Wall: Also a tough cell wall here!
  • Nucleus: Usually present, but sometimes playing hide and seek.
  • Plastids: They've got chloroplasts for photosynthesis and amyloplasts for starch storage – think of a food factory!
  • Vacuoles: Often one big vacuole – like a large storage room.

Animal cells 🐾

Imagine animal cells like the building blocks of your pet dog or even you!

  • Multicellular: Always working together except for gametes, zygotes, and blood cells.
  • Size: Again, more than 5µm.
  • Shape: Usually rounded, and the junctions are often like secret handshakes between cells.
  • Wall: No cell wall – they're the cool rebels.
  • Nucleus: Present, but sometimes shy and hiding.
  • Organelles: Lots of other organelles but no chloroplasts or large vacuoles.

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IB Resources
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme A - Unity & diversity

Explore Cell Structures & Types in Micrographs!

Word Count Emoji
560 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Prokaryotic cells

Imagine prokaryotic cells like the tiny bacteria you see under a microscope in biology class! 🦠

  • Single Cells: Often found alone or arranged in chains.
  • Size: Smaller than 5µm (like a fraction of a dust particle).
  • Shape: Rod-shaped (bacilli), round (cocci), or helical (spirilli) like twisted pasta.
  • Wall: They've got a tough exterior – a cell wall.
  • Nucleoid: No nucleus, just a lighter area in the cytoplasm.
  • Organelles: Super simple inside – no membrane-bound organelles or big vacuoles.
  • Real-world example: E. coli in your gut helping you digest food.

Plant cells 🌿

Plant cells are like the bricks that build plants, from roses to giant redwoods!

  • Multicellular: Usually working in a team, except for gametes and zygotes.
  • Size: More than 5µm, like a tiny leaf you can't see.
  • Shape: Regular with flat sides. The junctions between cells make them look like a neat patchwork quilt!
  • Wall: Also a tough cell wall here!
  • Nucleus: Usually present, but sometimes playing hide and seek.
  • Plastids: They've got chloroplasts for photosynthesis and amyloplasts for starch storage – think of a food factory!
  • Vacuoles: Often one big vacuole – like a large storage room.

Animal cells 🐾

Imagine animal cells like the building blocks of your pet dog or even you!

  • Multicellular: Always working together except for gametes, zygotes, and blood cells.
  • Size: Again, more than 5µm.
  • Shape: Usually rounded, and the junctions are often like secret handshakes between cells.
  • Wall: No cell wall – they're the cool rebels.
  • Nucleus: Present, but sometimes shy and hiding.
  • Organelles: Lots of other organelles but no chloroplasts or large vacuoles.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟