A cheek cell is a typical animal cell. With a light microscope you can clearly see the cell surface membrane, nucleus and the cytoplasm. You would probably struggle to identify the mitochondria.
The cell membrane…
- forms a thin covering to the cell
- controls what enters and leaves the cell
- allows oxygen and dissolved food substances to enter the cell
- allows waste substances to escape
The cytoplasm…
- makes up most of the inside of the cell
- is where many of the important reactions take place
- contains dissolved food molecules and other chemicals the cell needs to stay alive
The nucleus…
- is the dark blob inside every cell
- is the control centre of the cell, regulating everything that goes on within the cell
- contains the cell’s genes, which are codes to make specific proteins
The mitochondria…
- are tiny organelles
- convert glucose into useable energy
- are the sites of respiration
Questions…
- Why are there more mitochondria in a muscle cell than in a nerve cell?
- Name a ‘dissolved food molecule‘ that you might find in the cytoplasm.
- The cell membrane is made from two layers or lipids. Which food group includes lipids?
- Name a ‘waste substance’ that would need to leave a cell.
- From what group of molecules are proteins built?
- A cell membrane is semi-permeable. What does this mean?
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