1. The Mackay School
Fifth Grade 2014
1
CELL TYPES
Animal and plants have different types of cells. But, they have similar cellular
organization.
What are some differences in organelles you find in the pictures?

2. The Mackay School
Fifth Grade 2014
2
Which picture represents an animal cell and which one represents a plant
cell?
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Complete the following Venn diagram to compare both animal and plant
cells.
Animal cells Plant cells
Did you know?
The microscope’s ability to magnify
A microscope allows you to see cells one thousand times bigger than their original
size. In some cases, you can see the natural colours of the cells. To study the
interior of a cell, you need an electron microscope. An electron microscope allows
you to see the internal parts of a cell magnified 1,000,000 times. The images are
in black and white. Sometimes people colour the original images.
The invention of the microscope is generally attributed to Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
(1632 - 1723). However, this is not certain.
Why is the invention of the microscope so important in today’s society?
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Source: Science Learning for life (2012) Ediciones SM

3. The Mackay School
Fifth Grade 2014
3
FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANELLES OF CELLS
The organelles in a cell perform specific functions. Some of the main ones are
described in the table.
Common organelles Organelles exclusive to
plant cells
Mitochondria: These
produce the energy for
the cellular respiration.
The vital functions of the
cell depend on
respiration.
Lysosomes: Organelles
responsible for
transforming substances
to the interior of the cell.
Ribosomes: These
structures help to form
proteins.
Endoplasmicreticulum:
This synthetizes and
stores proteins and lipids.
It also carries them inside
and outside the cell.
Golgi apparatus: This
organelle directs the
movement of proteins and
lipids outside the cell.
Large vacuole: It is
larger than the other
structures. It stores
substances and maintains
the shape of the cell.
Chloroplasts: They
contain chlorophyll.
Photosynthesis occurs in
them.
Cell wall: It is a rigid
skin. It is on the outside
of the wall. It serves as
protection and support.
THE VITAL FUNCTIONS OF CELLS
Nutrition Interaction Reproduction
Cells take the nutrients
they need from their
environment. For
example: the cells in the
human body take their
nutrients from the blood.
Cells receive information
from their environment
and interact with it. For
example: cells from
muscle tissue. These cells
interact with signals from
the nervous system.
Cells from identical cells.
They split and create two
new cells. After a time,
these cells split and form
two others. The cells
continue to split and
multiply.
THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF CELLS
When we look at cells through a microscope we notice that they have different
shapes.
Muscle cells are long and thin. Red blood cells look like
discs.
Nerve cells have a star
shape.
The surface cells of the skin
are flat.
Male reproductive cells,
sperm cells, have a tail.
They use that tail to
swim.
Plant cells usually form
polygons. The cell walls
are rigid. This helps
them to fit together like
bricks in a wall.