Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 1BI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Explain how the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic…
Full specification wording
Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology: 1.1 Explain how the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are related to their functions, including: a animal cells – nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes b plant cells – nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole and ribosomes c bacteria – chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA, cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella
Every structure you name must be linked to a job, not just listed.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1BI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 17
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Every structure you name must be linked to a job, not just listed. In animal cells the nucleus holds DNA and controls activities; the cell membrane controls what enters and leaves; mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy; ribosomes are where proteins are made. Plant cells add a cellulose cell wall for support and shape, chloroplasts containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis, and a permanent vacuole filled with cell sap that keeps the cell turgid. Bacteria are prokaryotic: they have chromosomal DNA (a single loop, not enclosed in a nucleus), small rings of plasmid DNA, a cell membrane, ribosomes, and flagella that rotate to move the cell. A strong answer pairs each structure with its function and, where asked, contrasts prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisation.
What earns the marks
- Nucleus: contains DNA and controls the cell's activities; present in animal and plant cells but absent in bacteria.
- Cell membrane: controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell; found in animal, plant and bacterial cells.
- Mitochondria: site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell; present in animal and plant cells.
- Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis; present in animal, plant and bacterial cells.
- Plant-only structures: cellulose cell wall for support and shape, chloroplasts containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis, and a permanent vacuole of cell sap maintaining turgidity.
- Bacteria: chromosomal DNA as a single loop not enclosed in a nucleus, plasmid DNA as small extra rings, cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella for movement.
- Prokaryotic versus eukaryotic: bacteria lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, whereas animal and plant cells have them.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing structures without linking each to its function.
Put it right: State the job of every structure named.
Saying bacteria have a nucleus because they contain DNA.
Put it right: Bacterial DNA is a chromosomal loop not enclosed in a nucleus, plus plasmid DNA.
Claiming the cell wall controls what enters the cell.
Put it right: The cell membrane controls entry and exit, while the plant cell wall gives support and shape.
Describing mitochondria as making energy from nothing.
Put it right: Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, which releases energy.
Exam tips
- Read the question stem to see whether it asks for structure, function or both, and answer both parts.
- Use precise terms such as 'site of aerobic respiration' and 'controls movement of substances', not vague words like 'helps'.
- When comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, name at least one structure present in one type and absent in the other.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology: 1.1 Explain how the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are related to their functions, including: a animal cells – nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes b plant cells – nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole and ribosomes c bacteria – chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA, cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which structure in a bacterial cell carries the main, large loop of genetic material?
Listen
Every structure you name must be linked to a job, not just listed. In animal cells the nucleus holds DNA and controls activities; the cell membrane controls what enters and leaves; mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy; ribosomes are where proteins are made. Plant cells add a cellulose cell wall for support and shape, chloroplasts containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis, and a permanent vacuole filled with cell sap that keeps the cell turgid. Bacteria are prokaryotic: they have chromosomal DNA (a single loop, not enclosed in a nucleus), small rings of plasmid DNA, a cell membrane, ribosomes, and flagella that rotate to move the cell. A strong answer pairs each structure with its function and, where asked, contrasts prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Nucleus: contains DNA and controls the cell's activities; present in animal and plant cells but absent in bacteria. Cell membrane: controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell; found in animal, plant and bacterial cells. Mitochondria: site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell; present in animal and plant cells. Ribosomes: site of protein synthesis; present in animal, plant and bacterial cells. A common slip: Listing structures without linking each to its function. Instead, state the job of every structure named. Exam tip: Read the question stem to see whether it asks for structure, function or both, and answer both parts.
See it
Watch it explained
What is the one idea the video explains? Say it in a sentence.
Read the described scene instead
This lesson links cell structures to their jobs. You will compare animal, plant and bacterial cells, and see why the structure–function relationship matters. In animal cells, the nucleus contains DNA and controls the cell's activities. The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves. Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy. Ribosomes are where proteins are made. Plant cells have the same nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes, and they add three structures. A cellulose cell wall gives support and shape. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis. A permanent vacuole is filled with cell sap and keeps the cell turgid. Bacteria are prokaryotic. Their chromosomal DNA is a single loop, not enclosed in a nucleus. They also have small rings of plasmid DNA, a cell membrane, and ribosomes. Flagella rotate to move the cell. Four common mistakes are worth correcting. First, do not list structures without linking each to its function. Second, bacteria contain DNA but do not have a nucleus; their DNA is a chromosomal loop plus plasmid DNA. Third, the plant cell wall gives support and shape, while the cell membrane controls what enters and leaves. Fourth, mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration; they do not make energy from nothing. A strong answer pairs each structure with its function. Animal and plant cells are eukaryotic and have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria; plant cells also have a wall, chloroplasts and a vacuole. Bacteria are prokaryotic: they lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, but have chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA, a cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Nucleus
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Mitochondria
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Ribosomes
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Flagella
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See every definition
- Nucleus
- Contains DNA and controls the cell's activities; present in animal and plant cells but absent in bacteria.
- Mitochondria
- Site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell; present in animal and plant cells.
- Ribosomes
- Site of protein synthesis; present in animal, plant and bacterial cells.
- Flagella
- Structures of bacteria that rotate to move the cell.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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Test your understanding of Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology: 1.1 Explain how the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are related to their functions, including: a animal cells – nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes b plant cells – nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole and ribosomes c bacteria – chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA, cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella
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