Cambridge (CIE) O Level Your notes
Biology
1.1 Cell Structure & Function
Contents
Animal & Plant Cells
Animal & Plant Cells Under the Microscope
Bacterial Cells
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, Animal & Plant Cells
Your notes
Animal & Plant Cells
Animals
The main features of animals:
They are multicellular
Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
Their cells do not have cellulose cell walls
Their cells do not contain chloroplasts (so they are unable to carry out
photosynthesis)
They feed on organic substances made by other living things
They often store carbohydrates as glycogen
They usually have nervous coordination
They are able to move from place to place
A typical animal cell
Plants
The main features of plants:
They are multicellular
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, Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
Their cells have cell walls made out of cellulose Your notes
Their cells contain chloroplasts (so they can carry out photosynthesis)
They feed by photosynthesis
They store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose
They do not have nervous coordination
A typical plant cell
Cell Structures Found in Both Animal and Plant Cells Table
Structure Function
Nucleus Contains genetic material (DNA) which controls the activities of the cell
Cytoplasm A gel like substance composed of water and cell solutes. It supports the
internal cell structures and is the site for many chemical reactions
Cell Holds the cell together, separating the inside of the cell from the outside.
membrane Controls which substances leave and enter the cell
Ribosomes Found in the cytoplasms, these are the site of protein synthesis
Mitochondria The site of aerobic respiration where energy is released to the cell. Large
numbers of mitochondria are found in cells that are very metabolically
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Biology
1.1 Cell Structure & Function
Contents
Animal & Plant Cells
Animal & Plant Cells Under the Microscope
Bacterial Cells
© 2026 Save My Exams, Ltd. Get more and ace your exams at savemyexams.com 1
, Animal & Plant Cells
Your notes
Animal & Plant Cells
Animals
The main features of animals:
They are multicellular
Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
Their cells do not have cellulose cell walls
Their cells do not contain chloroplasts (so they are unable to carry out
photosynthesis)
They feed on organic substances made by other living things
They often store carbohydrates as glycogen
They usually have nervous coordination
They are able to move from place to place
A typical animal cell
Plants
The main features of plants:
They are multicellular
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, Their cells contain a nucleus with a distinct membrane
Their cells have cell walls made out of cellulose Your notes
Their cells contain chloroplasts (so they can carry out photosynthesis)
They feed by photosynthesis
They store carbohydrates as starch or sucrose
They do not have nervous coordination
A typical plant cell
Cell Structures Found in Both Animal and Plant Cells Table
Structure Function
Nucleus Contains genetic material (DNA) which controls the activities of the cell
Cytoplasm A gel like substance composed of water and cell solutes. It supports the
internal cell structures and is the site for many chemical reactions
Cell Holds the cell together, separating the inside of the cell from the outside.
membrane Controls which substances leave and enter the cell
Ribosomes Found in the cytoplasms, these are the site of protein synthesis
Mitochondria The site of aerobic respiration where energy is released to the cell. Large
numbers of mitochondria are found in cells that are very metabolically
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