🔬 Microscope Lab

Explore cells and microorganisms — click a specimen, hover organelles, adjust magnification.

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MAGNIFICATION
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🔍 Cell Comparison

🐾 Animal Cell

  • ✓ Cell membrane
  • ✓ Nucleus
  • ✓ Mitochondria
  • ✓ Ribosomes
  • ✓ Centrioles
  • ✓ Lysosomes
  • ✗ Cell wall
  • ✗ Chloroplasts
  • ✗ Large vacuole

🌿 Plant Cell

  • ✓ Cell membrane
  • ✓ Nucleus
  • ✓ Mitochondria
  • ✓ Ribosomes
  • ✗ Centrioles
  • ✗ Lysosomes
  • ✓ Cell wall
  • ✓ Chloroplasts
  • ✓ Large vacuole

🐾 Animal Cell

Animal cells are eukaryotic — they have a membrane-bound nucleus and specialised organelles. Unlike plant cells, they lack a rigid cell wall, allowing them to take many shapes.

📌 Organelles

Hover or click to highlight

What is a cell?

The cell is the basic unit of life. Every living thing is made of cells — from bacteria (one cell) to humans (37 trillion cells). Cells carry out all the processes needed for life: energy production, protein synthesis, waste removal, and reproduction.

Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes (bacteria, archaea) have no nucleus — their DNA floats freely. Eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi) have a membrane-bound nucleus and complex organelles. All multicellular life is eukaryotic.

Key organelles
  • Nucleus — control centre; contains DNA
  • Mitochondria — powerhouse; produces ATP via respiration
  • Ribosome — protein factory; translates mRNA
  • Chloroplast — captures sunlight for photosynthesis (plants only)
  • Vacuole — storage; large in plant cells for water pressure
  • Cell membrane — selective barrier controlling what enters/exits
  • Cell wall — rigid outer layer (plants, bacteria) for structural support
🎯 Try this challenge

Look at the plant cell and animal cell side by side. List 3 structures they share and 2 that are unique to each. Why do plant cells have a rigid cell wall but animal cells don't?

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Human Body