Classifying organisms as eukaryotic or prokaryotic
I can describe the common features of the cells of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
Classifying organisms as eukaryotic or prokaryotic
I can describe the common features of the cells of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The common features of animal and plant cells.
- Animals, plants, fungi and protists are made up of cells with a nucleus in which their genome is stored.
- Organisms made of cells with a nucleus are classified as eukaryotic organisms.
- Common features of bacteria cells, including cell membrane, cell wall, plasmids and storing the genome in the cytoplasm.
- Organisms made of cells without a nucleus are classified as prokaryotic organisms.
Keywords
Nucleus - A sub-cellular structure that contains chromosomes made of DNA molecules.
Genome - The entire genetic material of an organism.
Eukaryote - A cell or organism which has a cell membrane, cytoplasm and genetic material enclosed in a nucleus.
Plasmid - A small ring of DNA found in a bacterial cell.
Prokaryote - An organism whose cell has cytoplasm and a cell membrane surrounded by a cell wall. The genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus.
Common misconception
Pupils might think that all eukaryotic cells have the same cell components.
Draw pupils' attention to the differences between the different types of eukaryotic cells. Focus on the presence of a nucleus, mitochondria, and, in plant cells, chloroplasts, as identifying characteristics of eukaryotic cells.
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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