New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Common structures of prokaryotic cells

I can identify common structures of prokaryotic cells and explain their features.

New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Common structures of prokaryotic cells

I can identify common structures of prokaryotic cells and explain their features.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms.
  2. Common features of prokaryotic cells include the cell membrane, cytoplasm and cell wall.
  3. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; they store their genetic material in the cell cytoplasm.
  4. The genetic material is stored in one looped chromosome.
  5. Extra genetic material can be stored in small loops called plasmids.

Keywords

  • Prokaryotic - A type of cell with no membrane bound nucleus; DNA is free floating in the cytoplasm.

  • Plasmid - Small ring of DNA found in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.

  • Binary fission - The form of cell division that bacteria use to replicate.

  • Eukaryotic - A type of cell that contains a membrane bound nucleus; the DNA is usually found inside.

Common misconception

All bacterial cells looks like the bacterial cell model.

Bacteria can come in different shapes and sizes, this will be outlined within the slide deck.

Emphasise that bacteria are unicellular, each individual rod shape is one organism.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name of the substance that carries the genetic information in cells?
ATP
Correct answer: DNA
glucose
oxygen
Q2.
Which sub-cellular structure is not present in this bacterial cell?
An image in a quiz
ribosomes
cell membrane
Correct answer: nucleus
cytoplasm
Q3.
What is a unicellular organism?
An organism made up of many cells.
A cell with only one function.
Correct answer: An organism made up of only one cell.
An organism with only one nucleus.
Q4.
What is the correct symbol for micrometres?
mm
m
nm
Correct answer: µm
Q5.
What is the function of the cell wall in many cells?
The cell wall allows substances to enter and exit the cell.
The cell wall is where many chemical reactions take place.
Correct answer: The cell wall provides structure and gives the cell its shape.
The cell wall controls the activities of the cell.
Q6.
Which cell is not eukaryotic?
plant cell
animal cell
yeast cell
Correct answer: bacterial cell

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following would you usually find in a prokaryotic cell?
chloroplasts
mitochondria
Correct answer: ribosomes
nucleus
Q2.
Where is the DNA found in prokaryotic cells?
nucleus
cell wall
Correct answer: cytoplasm
flagellum
Q3.
Bacterial cell walls are usually made up of which substance?
cellulose
Correct answer: peptidoglycan
amylase
glycogen
Q4.
What is the process by which bacterial cells divide?
mitosis
meiosis
Correct answer: binary fission
photosynthesis
Q5.
Match the term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:plasmid,Short ring of DNA that can cause variation when transferred.

Short ring of DNA that can cause variation when transferred.

Correct Answer:prokaryotic,A type of cell with no nucleus, usually between 1-5 µm in length.

A type of cell with no nucleus, usually between 1-5 µm in length.

Correct Answer:eukaryotic,A type of cell with a nucleus, usually between 5-100 µm in length.

A type of cell with a nucleus, usually between 5-100 µm in length.

Correct Answer:nucleus,A membrane bound sub-cellular structure that usually contains DNA.

A membrane bound sub-cellular structure that usually contains DNA.

Q6.
Which statements below are true?
During binary fission, the DNA splits in half.
Correct answer: Two genetically identical cells are produced during binary fission.
Prokaryotic cells are usually more complex than eukaryotic cells.
Correct answer: Prokaryotic cells usually contain a cell wall, cytoplasm and a cell membrane.