Comparing cell types by their organelles
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Flip to reveal answersWhich four structures are found in EVERY cell?
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Question
Which four structures are found in EVERY cell?
Answer
**DNA, cytoplasm, a plasma membrane and ribosomes** — present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Question
What is an organelle?
Answer
A **structure inside a cell** that carries out a particular job (e.g. nucleus, mitochondrion, chloroplast).
Question
Define a prokaryotic cell.
Answer
A cell with **no nucleus and no membrane-bound organelles**; its DNA is free in the cytoplasm (e.g. a bacterium).
Question
Define a eukaryotic cell.
Answer
A cell that keeps its DNA inside a **nucleus** and contains **membrane-bound organelles** (e.g. animal, plant, fungal cells).
Question
What single structure separates prokaryotes from eukaryotes?
Answer
The **nucleus** — prokaryotes have none (DNA free in the cytoplasm); eukaryotes enclose their DNA in a nucleus.
Question
Name an organelle found in plant cells but not animal cells.
Answer
A **chloroplast** (also acceptable: large central vacuole, or cellulose cell wall).
Question
Name a structure common to prokaryotic AND eukaryotic cells.
Answer
**Ribosomes** (also: plasma membrane, DNA, cytoplasm).
Question
Which three structures do plant cells have that animal cells lack?
Answer
A **cellulose cell wall**, **chloroplasts** and a **large central vacuole**.
Question
Do both plant and animal cells have mitochondria?
Answer
**Yes** — both are eukaryotic, so both have a nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes and a plasma membrane.
Question
Why is 'has a cell wall' a weak answer for identifying a plant cell?
Answer
Because plants (cellulose), fungi (chitin) and most bacteria (peptidoglycan) all have cell walls — the material differs.
Question
A cell has a nucleus and a cell wall but no chloroplast. What is it likely to be?
Answer
A **fungal cell** — eukaryotic with a wall, but no chloroplast (so not a plant).
Question
In a tick table, how do you read off the cell type quickly?
Answer
No nucleus → **prokaryote**; nucleus + chloroplast → **plant**; nucleus, no chloroplast → **animal**.
Question
Are prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells generally larger?
Answer
**Eukaryotic** cells are larger (about 10–100 µm); prokaryotes are smaller (about 1–5 µm).
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Topic 2.4 hub
Organelles and compartmentalization
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