Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells
You can identify common structures of animal cells and describe how some specialised cells in animals are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells
You can identify common structures of animal cells and describe how some specialised cells in animals are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The animal cell model describes the common structures of animal cells.
- These structures include the cytoplasm, cell membrane, nucleus and mitochondria. Each structure has a specific function.
- Specialised cells in animals have shapes, sizes and structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
- Examples of specialised animal cells include blood cells and nerve cells.
Keywords
Cytoplasm - A jelly-like substance containing dissolved nutrients and salts where many chemical reactions happen.
Cell membrane - A partially permeable structure that surrounds the cell; it controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
Nucleus - A sub-cellular structure that contains genetic material, which controls cellular activities.
DNA - A molecule found in the nucleus of cells and contains the genetic code for making proteins.
Mitochondria - Sub-cellular structures that contain the enzymes for respiration, and is where most energy is released in respiration.
Common misconception
All animal cells are the same as the model animal cell. Energy is created during respiration.
The model animal cell simplifies the complex structure of animal cells. There are specialised animal cells that have different shapes and sub-cellular structures to help them carry out a specific function. Energy is transferred through respiration.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
jelly-like liquid where many chemical reactions take place
where protein synthesis takes place
where aerobic respiration takes place to release energy
semi-permeable; controls what enters and exits the cell
controls cell activities; contains DNA
cytoplasm contains nutrients, half the amount of DNA
tail to help it swim, half the amount of DNA, acrosome in head
biconcave shape, no nucleus
filaments of protein, lots of mitochondria