Click any card to reveal its definition. Cards close automatically after 8 seconds. You may open them as many times as you need.
Click a term on the left, then click its matching definition on the right.
Read the passage carefully, then complete the activities that follow.
All living things — from the smallest bacteria to the largest trees — are made of cells. The cell theory, developed in the 1800s by scientists including Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow, states three key principles: all living things are made of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells. This theory remains one of the foundations of modern biology.
Every cell is surrounded by a cell membrane, a thin, flexible barrier that controls what enters and exits the cell. Some cells — particularly plant cells — also have a cell wall, a rigid outer layer that provides additional support and structure. Inside the cell are many specialized structures called organelles, each performing a specific function to keep the cell alive.
There are two major categories of cells. Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, are simple cells without a membrane-bound nucleus. Their genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic cells, found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists, are more complex and contain a true nucleus surrounded by a membrane. The nucleus acts as the control center of the cell, storing the cell's DNA and directing its activities.
Plant and animal cells share many organelles, such as the mitochondria (which produce energy through cellular respiration) and ribosomes (which build proteins). However, plant cells have unique structures, including chloroplasts for photosynthesis and a large central vacuole for water storage. Understanding the differences between plant and animal cells helps us understand how different types of organisms survive and function.
Cell states that all living things are made of cells. Every cell is surrounded by a cell that controls what enters and exits. Inside cells are specialized structures called that perform specific functions. The is the control center and stores the cell's DNA. Cells without a nucleus are called , while cells with a true nucleus are called . In plant cells, occurs inside chloroplasts. All cells carry out cellular to produce energy. Ribosomes are responsible for building the cell needs.
Click words from the bank to build the correct sentence. Click a placed word to return it to the bank.
Read each simple sentence. Use the prompts to write a more detailed, expanded sentence in your own words.
Click each organelle on the diagram to learn its name, function, and whether it is found in plant cells, animal cells, or both.
Click on any labeled structure to explore it!
Use your exploration of the diagram to complete the table below.
| Organelle | Function | Found In |
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Click each organelle to explore. Pay close attention to which organelles are unique to plant cells.
Click on any labeled structure to explore it!
| Organelle | Function | Found In |
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Jeopardy-style challenge — pick a category and point value, then answer the clue!
5 questions will be selected from the question bank. You need at least 3 correct (60%) to pass. If you don't pass, a new set of questions will be generated.
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