Cells, tissues and organs

In order of increasing complexity, multicellular organisms consist of:

organelles cells tissues organs organ systems

Structur
e

Description

Cell structure that is specialised to carry out a particular

Organelle function or job
Cell

Basic structural and functional unit of a living organism

Tissue

Group of cells with similar structures, working together

to perform a shared function

Organ

Structure made up of a group of tissues, working

together to perform specific functions

Organ
system

Group of organs with related functions, working together

to perform body functions

Cell structure
Animal cells and plant cells have certain structures in common.
Structure

Function

Cytoplasm

Where most of the chemical reactions happen

Nucleus

Contains genetic material which controls the cells activities

Cell membrane

Controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell

Mitochondria

Where most energy is released in respiration

Ribosomes

Where protein synthesis happens

Plant cells have additional structures.

Structure

Function

Chloroplasts

Absorb light energy for photosynthesis

Cell wall

Strengthens the cell and supports the plant

Permanent vacuole

Filled with cell sap to help keep the cell turgid

Animal cells may also have vacuoles, but these are small and temporary.

Specialised cells
Many cells are specialised. They have structures that are adapted for their function. For
example, muscle cells bring parts of the body closer together. They contain protein fibres that
can contract when energy is available, making the cells shorter.
These tables show examples of some specialised animal and plant cells, with their functions and
adaptations.
Animal cells

Plant cells

Under the microscope

A modern light microscope

Microscopes are used to study cells. Modern light microscopes can magnify images about 1500
times, while electron microscopes can magnify images about two million times.
Calculating magnification
The magnification of a biological specimen is calculated using this equation:

QQuestion
A plant cell in a photograph measures 15 mm across. If the actual size of the cell is 0.015 mm,
what is the magnification in the photograph?
AHide answer

Plant cells seen through a microscope

Calculating actual size
The actual size of a biological specimen is calculated using this equation:

QQuestion
The nucleus in a photograph of a cell measures 3 mm across. If the magnification in the
photograph is 500, what is the actual size of the nucleus?
AHide answer

Levels of organisation
1 Which is the correct order of levels of organisation in organisms, from least complex to most
complex?
Cells tissues organelles

Cells tissues organs

tissues
2 What is a tissue?
A system made from similar organs

A group of cells with similar structures working together

A group of organelles with similar structures working together

3 In plants, what are shoots and roots examples of?

Organs

Organ systems

4 In plants, what are leaves examples of?

Tissues

Organ systems organs

Organs

Organ systems

Tissues

5 Which part of a cell contains the genetic material?

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Cell membrane

6 Which part of a cell controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell?
Nucleus

Cell membrane

Cell wall

7 What is a function of the vacuole in a plant cell?

To store chlorophyll for photosynthesis

It is where most of the chemical reactions in the cell happen

To keep the cell turgid

8 Which organelle absorbs light energy for photosynthesis?

Chloroplast

Ribosome

Mitochondrion

9 A cheek cell is 0.05 mm across. It is 25 mm across in a photograph taken through a microscope.

What magnification was used?
50

500

5000

10 What structure does a plant cell have but an animal cell does not have?
A circular chromosome

A permanent vacuole

A cell membrane