Cell Types
- Cells are structural and functional units
- Small cells: bigger surface area per volume → allows exchange of more nutrients/waste
- Large cells: smaller surface area per volume → problems to transport waste out of cell
- More nutrients → more waste
Table 1-10-1: Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Feature | Prokaryotic (bacteria) | Eukaryotic (plant/animal/fungi) |
Size | Small cells - 5µm | Large cells - 50µm |
Capsule (protection) | Present | Absent |
Cell wall | Present (peptidoglycan) | In fungi (chitin) |
Plasma membrane | Present | Present |
Cytoplasm |
|
|
Nucleus | Absent | Present |
Centriole (for mitosis) | Absent | Only in animal cells |

