Topic Five (1.5): REACH - Prokaryotic cells

Reach topics introduce you to concepts that are studied at IGCSE. These topics are more challenging and relate to the questions at the end of the assignments.

Topics Icon.png Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • compare animal and plant cells with prokaryotic cells

Revision Tasks Icon.png Retrieval starter question 

  • Which cell structures are found in both animal cells and plant cells?

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you will learn the difference between prokaryotic cells, animal cells and plant cells. Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound structures such as mitochondria: an example is bacteria. Eukaryotic cells include animal cells and plant cells - they do have a nucleus and membrane-bound structures.

Interact Icon.png Working through your course book

Reactivate activity - optional

Before applying your knowledge to new concepts in this topic, you can check your understanding of previous concepts. If you want to check your understanding and reactivate your knowledge, please complete the reactivate activity:

  • Read page 20 in your Activate 3 coursebook and answer the Reactivate your knowledge questions at the top of page 30.

Apply your knowledge

You are now ready to apply your knowledge of cells to explore prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Watch the Fuse School video below and think about what differences you can see between the two types of cell:

You are now ready to apply your knowledge of cells to explore prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Watch the Fuse School video below and think about what differences you can see between the two types of cell:

  • Draw a diagram of a bacterial cell using page 31 of your Activate 3 coursebook. Compare the bacterial cell to the animal cells and plant cells that you studied in Topic One. What similarities and differences can you see?
  • Read pages 30-31 in your Activate 3 coursebook.
  • Complete Summary questions 1-3.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activities for this topic

Cells are very small. We need a microscope to view cells and cell structures. To extend your knowledge of cells, watch the videos below about magnification and measuring the size of a cell.

You can then complete the Maths skills activity.

COMPLETE – B3 1.6 Maths skill interactive, Prokaryotic cells: converting between units (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

Download Icon.png Check your answers

CHECK - Topic question answers - Module One (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]

CHECK - Student Book Answers – B3 Chapter 1 (Kerboodle) [Not available on sample course]