Plant and animal cells

Learn it by playing

Answer these questions to earn energy, then fish and explore. No account needed.

For educators: ready-to-use lesson slides, revision notes, diagrams for Plant and animal cells (KS3 Science, Biology) — use them in your lesson, or run the topic as an interactive class activity your learners play as a live game.

Lesson notes

Cell Basics

All animals and plants are made of tiny cells, the basic building blocks of life.
Cells can only be seen with a microscope.
Cells contain organelles that carry out different functions.

Organelles in Both Plant and Animal Cells

Cell membrane – controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Nucleus – controls cell activities and contains genetic material.
Cytoplasm – where chemical reactions happen.
Mitochondria – where aerobic respiration occurs, releasing energy from glucose.

Organelles Only in Plant Cells

Cell wall – covers the cell membrane and gives strength.
Vacuole – contains cell sap (a solution of sugars and salts).
Chloroplasts – where photosynthesis takes place; contain the green pigment chlorophyll.

Key Differences

Plant cells have a cell wall, vacuole, and chloroplasts; animal cells do not.
Both cell types have a cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria.
The cell wall is made of cellulose and provides structural support.

Diagram

Slides

Step through every slide for this topic — plus flashcards and revision notes — with a free account.

Practice questions

Free preview — 8 of 26 questions. Sign up to see them all.

1.Which of the following is found in both plant and animal cells?
Easy
- ACell wall
- BChloroplast
- CNucleus
- DVacuole
2.Which organelle is only found in plant cells?
Easy
- AMitochondrion
- BCell membrane
- CChloroplast
- DCytoplasm
3.Which of the following is NOT found in an animal cell?
Easy
- ACell wall
- BCell membrane
- CNucleus
- DMitochondria
4.A student observes a cell under a microscope and sees a cell wall, a large vacuole, and chloroplasts. What type of cell is it most likely to be?
Medium
- AAnimal cell
- BBacterial cell
- CPlant cell
- DFungal cell
5.What is the function of the cell membrane?
Easy
- AControls the activities of the cell
- BControls what goes in and out of the cell
- CWhere chemical reactions happen
- DWhere aerobic respiration takes place
6.What is the function of the nucleus?
Easy
- AControls the activities of the cell
- BCarries out respiration
- CStores cell sap
- DControls what enters and leaves the cell
7.Which organelle is responsible for controlling the activities of the cell?
Easy
- ACytoplasm
- BMitochondrion
- CNucleus
- DCell membrane
8.Which organelle is the site of aerobic respiration?
Easy
- ANucleus
- BChloroplast
- CMitochondrion
- DVacuole

Revision notes

## Plant and Animal Cells - All living things are made of **cells**, the basic building blocks of life. - Cells contain **organelles** that carry out specific functions. ### Common Organelles (both plant and animal cells) - **Cell membrane**: controls what enters and leaves the cell. - **Nucleus**: contains genetic material and controls cell activities (growth, reproduction). - **Cytoplasm**: site of chemical reactions. - **Mitochondria**: site of **aerobic respiration** – releases energy from glucose. ### Plant-Only Organelles - **Cell wall**: strengthens and supports the cell (outside the cell membrane). - **Vacuole**: contains cell sap (sugars and salts). - **Chloroplast**: site of **photosynthesis** – produces glucose; contains green pigment **chlorophyll**. ### Key Differences - Animal cells: no cell wall, no vacuole (or small temporary ones), no chloroplasts. - Plant cells: have cell wall, large permanent vacuole, chloroplasts (in green parts). ### Quick Check - Both have: cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria. - Only plants have: cell wall, vacuole, chloroplast. - True/False: (a) False (only plants have cell walls); (b) True; (c) False (both have nucleus); (d) True; (e) False (nucleus controls activities).

Cell: The basic building block of all living organisms.
Organelle: A structure inside a cell that carries out a specific function.
Cell membrane: Controls what goes in and out of the cell.
Nucleus: Controls the activities of the cell by housing genetic material and coordinating cell functions like growth and reproduction.
Cytoplasm: Where chemical reactions happen.
Mitochondria: Where aerobic respiration happens; releases energy from glucose.
Cell wall: Covers the cell membrane and gives strength to a plant cell.
Chloroplast: Where photosynthesis takes place; contains the green pigment chlorophyll.
Vacuole: Contains cell sap (a solution of sugars and salts).
Aerobic respiration: A chemical reaction that releases energy stored in glucose so that it can be used to fuel cell activities.
Photosynthesis: A chemical reaction that produces glucose.

Flashcards

What are the basic building blocks of life?

Cells are the basic building blocks of life.

What are organelles?

Organelles are parts of a cell that serve different purposes.

Name the four organelles that both plant and animal cells have.

Cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria.

Name the three organelles that only plant cells have.

Cell wall, vacuole, chloroplast.

What is the function of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane controls what goes in and out of the cell.

What is the function of the nucleus?

The nucleus controls the activities of the cell by housing genetic material and coordinating cell functions like growth and reproduction.

What happens in the cytoplasm?

Chemical reactions happen in the cytoplasm.

What happens in the mitochondria?

Aerobic respiration happens in the mitochondria, releasing energy stored in glucose to fuel cell activities.

What is the function of the cell wall?

The cell wall covers the cell membrane and gives strength to a plant cell.

Where does photosynthesis take place?

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast.

What does the chloroplast contain?

Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll.

What is the function of the vacuole?

The vacuole contains cell sap, a solution of sugars and salts.

True or false: Both plant and animal cells have cell walls.

False. Only plant cells have cell walls.

True or false: Both plant and animal cells have cell membranes.

True.

True or false: Only animal cells contain a nucleus.

False. Both plant and animal cells contain a nucleus.

True or false: Plant cells contain a vacuole.

True.

True or false: The mitochondria control the activities of a cell.

False. The nucleus controls the activities of the cell.

What is respiration?

Respiration is a chemical reaction that releases energy stored in glucose.

What does photosynthesis produce?

Photosynthesis produces glucose.

What is cell sap?

Cell sap is a solution of sugars and salts found in the vacuole.

Unlock all 26 questions, flashcards & more

Create a free account to see every question, the slides, flashcards and revision notes for this topic.

Past papers

Past-paper practice for this topic is coming soon.

Coming soon