Cells are the basic unit of life. Cells are classified as prokaryotes or

eukaryotes

Cells

Prokaryote Eukaryote

Oldest cells – probably the first life on earth Very simple cells composed of 2 main parts

◦ Cell Membrane – the outer boundary of the cell◦ Cytoplasm – jelly-like interior of the cell

The name prokaryote comes from the Greek pros meaning “before” and karyon meaning “nut”, referring to the nucleus

Most prokaryotes are single celled organisms

Example: bacteria

More advanced cells Found in plants and animals Eukaryotic cells are composed of 4 main

parts: ◦ Cell Membrane – the outer boundary of the cell◦ Cytoplasm – jelly-like interior of the cell◦ Nucleus – the control center of the cell which

contains the cell’s genetic material (DNA)◦ Organelles – structures that carry out cell

functions Organisms can be single-celled or

multicellular

Plant cell

Examples:Single Celled – algaeMulticellular - onion

Animal cell

Examples:Single Celled: Amoeba, ProtozoanMulticellular: Human