What are the parts of animal and plant cells, and how are cells organised into tissues and organs?
Animal and plant cell structure and the function of each part, the differences between plant and animal cells, and how cells are organised into tissues, organs and organ systems.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 1 topic on cells, covering the parts of animal and plant cells and what each does, the differences between plant and animal cells, and how cells build tissues, organs and organ systems.
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What this dot point is asking
WJEC Double Award Unit 1 wants you to name the parts of animal and plant cells and state what each does, give the differences between plant and animal cells, and describe how cells are organised into tissues, organs and organ systems.
The parts of an animal cell
- Nucleus: controls the activities of the cell and contains the genetic material (DNA) in chromosomes.
- Cytoplasm: a jelly-like substance where most chemical reactions happen.
- Cell membrane: controls what substances move into and out of the cell.
- Mitochondria: where aerobic respiration takes place, releasing energy for the cell.
The extra parts of a plant cell
A plant cell has everything an animal cell has, plus three extra structures:
- Cell wall: made of cellulose, it surrounds the membrane and gives the cell support and a fixed shape.
- Chloroplasts: contain the green pigment chlorophyll and are where photosynthesis happens.
- Permanent vacuole: a large space filled with cell sap that helps keep the cell firm (turgid).
Comparing plant and animal cells
| Structure | Animal cell | Plant cell |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus | Yes | Yes |
| Cytoplasm | Yes | Yes |
| Cell membrane | Yes | Yes |
| Mitochondria | Yes | Yes |
| Cell wall | No | Yes (cellulose) |
| Chloroplasts | No | Yes |
| Permanent vacuole | No | Yes (large) |
Not every plant cell has chloroplasts: root cells do not, because they are underground and receive no light, so they cannot photosynthesise.
Levels of organisation
In a multicellular organism, cells are organised into larger and larger structures:
- Cell: the basic unit, often specialised for one job.
- Tissue: a group of similar cells working together, such as muscle tissue.
- Organ: several different tissues working together to do a job, such as the stomach.
- Organ system: several organs working together, such as the digestive system.
- Organism: all the organ systems working together make the whole living thing.
Why a cell needs each part
It helps to think about what would happen if a part were missing. Without a nucleus, the cell could not control its reactions or make new proteins. Without a membrane, useful substances could not be kept in and waste could not be controlled. Without mitochondria, the cell could not release enough energy to stay alive. In a plant, without chloroplasts the cell could not make its own food, without a cell wall it would lose its shape and could burst, and without a vacuole it would lose support and wilt. Linking each structure to what it does, and to what would go wrong without it, is exactly what mark schemes reward.
Multicellular versus single cells
Large organisms like humans and plants are multicellular: they are built from many specialised cells working together, which is why they need levels of organisation. Some organisms, such as bacteria and amoeba, are unicellular (a single cell) and carry out every life process within that one cell. Being multicellular allows organisms to grow larger and to have cells that are highly adapted for one job, but it means substances must be transported between cells, which is why larger organisms need transport systems.
Try this
Q1. Name the part of a cell that controls what enters and leaves it. [1 mark]
- Cue. The cell membrane.
Q2. Explain why a muscle cell contains many mitochondria. [2 marks]
- Cue. Muscle cells need a lot of energy to contract, and mitochondria release energy by aerobic respiration, so many mitochondria supply enough energy.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC style4 marksGive two structures found in a plant cell but not in an animal cell, and state the function of each.Show worked answer →
A Unit 1 structured question worth 4 marks (1 for each structure named, 1 for each function). Reward: the cell wall, made of cellulose, which supports and gives the cell shape; the chloroplast, which contains chlorophyll and is the site of photosynthesis; or the permanent vacuole, which holds cell sap and keeps the cell turgid. Markers credit any two correct structures with their functions. A common slip is to name the membrane or cytoplasm, which are in animal cells too.
WJEC style3 marksPut these in order of size, smallest first, and explain your answer: organ, cell, tissue.Show worked answer →
A Unit 1 organisation question. The order smallest to largest is cell, tissue, organ (1 mark). A cell is the basic unit of life; a tissue is a group of similar cells working together (1 mark); an organ is several tissues working together to do a job (1 mark). Markers reward the correct order and the idea that each level is built from the one below. A common error is to place tissue before cell.
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