IB Biology Topic A2.2.8 Differences in Eukaryotic Cell Structure Between Animals, Fungi, and Plants Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Biology Topic A2.2.8 Differences in Eukaryotic Cell Structure Between Animals, Fungi, and Plants Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Animal, Plant, and Fungal Cells Share One Blueprint but Differ in Key Structures

All three groups are built from the same basic eukaryotic cell, with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Their structural differences reflect the different roles that animals, plants, and fungi play in nature.

Cell Walls: Plants Use Cellulose, Fungi Use Chitin, Animals Have None

Plant Cells

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose.
This wall keeps the cell in shape, withstands stress, and stops it bursting when it takes in water.

Tip

The wall is rigid but still lets water, gases, and nutrients pass through freely.

Fungal Cells

Fungal cell walls are made of chitin, a strong and flexible polymer.
This lets fungi survive in many places, from decaying logs to stored food.

Common Mistake

Many students wrongly assume fungal cell walls are made of cellulose.
They are actually made of chitin, a distinction often tested in IB exams.

Animal Cells

Animal cells have no cell wall.
They rely on a flexible plasma membrane instead, which lets them take on many shapes and move.

Tip

The lack of a cell wall is why animal cells are more flexible than the rigid cells of plants and fungi.

Vacuoles: Plants Keep One Large Central Vacuole, Animals Keep Small Temporary Ones

Plant Cells

A large central vacuole, often filling up to 90% of the cell, stores water, nutrients, and waste.

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Animal, Plant, and Fungal Cells Share One Blueprint but Differ in Key Structures

All three groups are built from the same basic eukaryotic cell, with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Their structural differences reflect the different roles that animals, plants, and fungi play in nature.

Cell Walls: Plants Use Cellulose, Fungi Use Chitin, Animals Have None

Plant Cells

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose.
This wall keeps the cell in shape, withstands stress, and stops it bursting when it takes in water.

Tip

The wall is rigid but still lets water, gases, and nutrients pass through freely.

Fungal Cells

Fungal cell walls are made of chitin, a strong and flexible polymer.
This lets fungi survive in many places, from decaying logs to stored food.

Common Mistake

Many students wrongly assume fungal cell walls are made of cellulose.
They are actually made of chitin, a distinction often tested in IB exams.

Animal Cells

Animal cells have no cell wall.
They rely on a flexible plasma membrane instead, which lets them take on many shapes and move.

Tip

The lack of a cell wall is why animal cells are more flexible than the rigid cells of plants and fungi.

Vacuoles: Plants Keep One Large Central Vacuole, Animals Keep Small Temporary Ones

Plant Cells

A large central vacuole, often filling up to 90% of the cell, stores water, nutrients, and waste.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

A - Unity and Diversity9 subtopics

B - Form and Function10 subtopics

C - Interaction and Interdependence9 subtopics

D - Continuity and Change12 subtopics

IB Biology Topic A2.2.8: Differences in Eukaryotic Cell Structure Between Animals, Fungi, and Plants Notes

Animal, Plant, and Fungal Cells Share One Blueprint but Differ in Key Structures

Cell Walls: Plants Use Cellulose, Fungi Use Chitin, Animals Have None

Plant Cells

Fungal Cells

Animal Cells

Vacuoles: Plants Keep One Large Central Vacuole, Animals Keep Small Temporary Ones

Plant Cells

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Animal, Plant, and Fungal Cells Share One Blueprint but Differ in Key Structures

Cell Walls: Plants Use Cellulose, Fungi Use Chitin, Animals Have None

Plant Cells

Fungal Cells

Animal Cells

Vacuoles: Plants Keep One Large Central Vacuole, Animals Keep Small Temporary Ones

Plant Cells

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

A - Unity and Diversity9 subtopics

B - Form and Function10 subtopics

C - Interaction and Interdependence9 subtopics

D - Continuity and Change12 subtopics