For IGCSE O-Level Biology students Chapter 2

1. The building blocks of life

2. Animal and plant cells
Animal cell Plant cell
Cell
membrane
nucleus
cytoplasm
Cell wall
cytoplasm
Sap
vacuole
chloroplast
Nucleus
Cell
membrane

3. Cell structures
Animal cell Plant cell Comment
Cell
membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Cell wall
Chloroplast
Sap Vacuole
present
present
present
present
present
present
present
present
absent
A membrane that holds the cell
contents together, can control
what goes in and out of the cell
absent
Jelly-like substance where all
chemical reactions take place
Controls the cell activities,
contains the DNA
A rigid substance made of cellulose
that keeps the cell’s shape fixed
Contains chlorophyll,
can carryout photosynthesis
A place where the cell may store
food or wastes
absent
present

4. Pictures of different cells:

6. Name of cell Red blood cells
Cell’s function To transport oxygen from lungs to all body
cells
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
1. Contain haemoglobin : that carries
oxygen
2. Have no nucleus : to make more space
for haemoglobin
3. Have biconcave shape : to increase
surface area for absorption of oxygen
Drawing
Side view Top view

7. Name of cell Muscle cells
Cell’s function To move part of the body
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
Have contractile fibers that can shorten to
produce movement
Drawing

8. Name of cell Ciliated cells
Cell’s function To sweep away dust and bacteria in air
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
1. Have short hairs (cilia) that move to
sweep mucus out of the respiratory tract
Drawing

9. Name of cell Palisade cells
Cell’s function To change light energy to chemical energy
(food)
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
1. Have chloroplasts containing green
chlorophyll that can carry out
photosynthesis
Drawing

10. Name of cell Xylem cells
Cell’s function Transport water and minerals up the plant
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
1. Have no cell contents
2. Have no end walls to create long hollow
tubes
3. Walls are lined with a tough substance
called lignin
Drawing

11. Name of cell Root hair cells
Cell’s function Absorb water and minerals from the soil
Features present in cell
that help it to carry out
its function
1. Has a long protrusion to increase the
surface area of absorption.
Drawing