Basic Cell Types
Cells are extremely small, but have complex structures and functions. Cells can be divided into two categories: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. These different types of cells make up all living organisms, but differ in many ways. Their distinction is based on internal complexity, structure and components.
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Prokaryotic Cells
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Prokaryotic cells make up the smallest single-celled organisms such as bacteria. They do have cell membranes that keeps their shapes; however, they have no recognizable organelles. These cells are not as complex as other cells, although they do carry out the process of life.
Eukaryotic Cells
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Eukaryotic cells are present in all living things except bacteria and are highly structured. These cells tend to be larger than the cells of bacteria and have developed specialized packaging and transport mechanisms that may be necessary to support their larger size. In addition, a eukaryotic cell contains a nucleus that is absent from a prokaryotic cell.
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Organelles
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Organelles are the components of the cell that perform essential functions for cell survival. Some examples of organelles are the nucleus, ribosome, cell membrane or cell wall, and cytoplasm. The nucleus is the brain of the cell that controls the cell's functions. Ribosomes aid in DNA replication within a cell. The cell membrane or cell wall is the outside barrier that protects the cell. The cytoplasm is a semi-fluid substance (think gelatin) found inside the cell that protects the organelles. These are just a few of the many necessary elements within a cell.
Plant versus Animal Cells
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Animal cells differ from plant cells in terms of structure and types of organelles. Animal cells contain cell membranes. As a city perimeter, the cell membrane surrounds the cell and has the ability to regulate entrance and exit of substances, thereby maintaining internal balance. The membrane also protects the inner cell from outside forces. Plant cells, however, contain cell walls that are much stronger than membranes and protect the plant cells from rupturing. Another difference is the presence of chloroplasts in plant cells. This organelle is necessary for photosynthesis to take place. Photosynthesis is a process in which the plant uses carbon dioxide, water and sunlight to create energy in the form of glucose for the plant cell. Animal cells do not go through the process of photosynthesis; therefore, they do not need chloroplasts.
Cell Survival
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The more advanced a cell is, the more difficult of a time it has surviving on its own. For example, if a brain cell and an amoeba were placed in a Petri dish, the amoeba would outlive the brain cell. Because the brain cell has more complex elements than the amoeba, it needs more to survive. However, because the amoeba does not have complex structures, it cannot perform the same functions as the brain cell.
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