Biology SL
Biology SL
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Chapters
553
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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 SL
Biology SL

Theme A - Unity & Diversity

Explore Eukaryotic Cell Structures!

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

Table of content

Alright, fellow science enthusiasts, let's dive into the world of cells - the tiny building blocks of life! To make this voyage more interesting, let's think of cells as bustling little cities with different districts dedicated to different jobs.

Cell structure differences - animals, fungi, & plants

  • Plastids: Picture these as power plants and storage facilities in the cell. Animal cells? They're like cities without these facilities, so no plastids for them. Fungi? Same story. But plants? They're like eco-friendly cities boasting multiple types of plastids like chloroplasts, which are like solar power plants (they're responsible for photosynthesis), and amyloplasts, which are like granaries storing starch.

  • Cell Wall: Think of the cell wall as the city wall, protecting and strengthening it. Animal cells like living on the edge, so they don't have one. But fungi and plant cells? They like security, so they have walls made up of chitin and cellulose, respectively.

  • Vacuoles: These are like water tanks or storage units. Animal cells have small, temporary ones to get rid of extra water or digest food, kinda like recycling centers. In contrast, fungi and plant cells have one big, permanent vacuole, used for storage and to maintain pressure in the cell, like a big dam or warehouse.

  • Centrioles: These are the architects and construction workers of the cell, organizing the building of microtubule structures. Animal cells use them for essential tasks like moving chromosomes during mitosis (cell division). Fungi and plants, except those with swimming male gametes (like those swimmers in the Olympics but on a cellular level), don't usually have them.

  • Undulipodia (Cilia and Flagella): These are like the transportation systems of the cell, allowing movement. Lots of animal cells have them, including the tails of male gametes, think of them as cars or buses. In fungi and plants, only the ones with flagella-tailed male gametes have them.

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IB Resources
Theme A - Unity & Diversity
Biology SL
Biology SL

Theme A - Unity & Diversity

Explore Eukaryotic Cell Structures!

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

Table of content

Alright, fellow science enthusiasts, let's dive into the world of cells - the tiny building blocks of life! To make this voyage more interesting, let's think of cells as bustling little cities with different districts dedicated to different jobs.

Cell structure differences - animals, fungi, & plants

  • Plastids: Picture these as power plants and storage facilities in the cell. Animal cells? They're like cities without these facilities, so no plastids for them. Fungi? Same story. But plants? They're like eco-friendly cities boasting multiple types of plastids like chloroplasts, which are like solar power plants (they're responsible for photosynthesis), and amyloplasts, which are like granaries storing starch.

  • Cell Wall: Think of the cell wall as the city wall, protecting and strengthening it. Animal cells like living on the edge, so they don't have one. But fungi and plant cells? They like security, so they have walls made up of chitin and cellulose, respectively.

  • Vacuoles: These are like water tanks or storage units. Animal cells have small, temporary ones to get rid of extra water or digest food, kinda like recycling centers. In contrast, fungi and plant cells have one big, permanent vacuole, used for storage and to maintain pressure in the cell, like a big dam or warehouse.

  • Centrioles: These are the architects and construction workers of the cell, organizing the building of microtubule structures. Animal cells use them for essential tasks like moving chromosomes during mitosis (cell division). Fungi and plants, except those with swimming male gametes (like those swimmers in the Olympics but on a cellular level), don't usually have them.

  • Undulipodia (Cilia and Flagella): These are like the transportation systems of the cell, allowing movement. Lots of animal cells have them, including the tails of male gametes, think of them as cars or buses. In fungi and plants, only the ones with flagella-tailed male gametes have them.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

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