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1.1: Eukaryote cells

  • Page ID
    47194
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    Plants have eukaryote cells. Compared to prokaryote cells, plant cells are larger and they have organelles. They have their DNA contained in a nucleus and photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts. Like plant cells, animal cells are also eukaryote cells. Unlike animal cells, plant cells have a cell wall. The cell wall is made of cellulose but may be thickened and strengthened in some cells.

    Features of a typical plant cell
    Figure 1.1. Features of a typical plant cell. (LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz. Public Domain)

    A eukaryotic plant cell differs considerably from a prokaryotic cell of a bacteria or archaea. These are much simpler and smaller. Their DNA is found in a single chromosome and is not bound by a membrane. Similarly photosynthetic cyanobacteria do not have chloroplasts but rather photosynthesis occurs within the general cavity of the cell.

    A diagram of a prokaryotic cell
    Figure 1.2. A diagram of a prokaryotic cell. It lacks organelles and is much smaller and simpler. (LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz. Public Domain).

    This page titled 1.1: Eukaryote cells is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sean Bellairs (Charles Darwin University) .

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