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Cells consist of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane, which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. | Cells consist of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane, which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. | ||
A prokaryotic cell has three architectural regions: | A prokaryotic cell has three architectural regions: <br> | ||
1) Enclosing the cell is the cell envelope | 1) Enclosing the cell is the cell envelope <br> | ||
2) Inside the cell is the cytoplasmic region that contains the genome (DNA), ribosomes and various sorts of inclusions. | 2) Inside the cell is the cytoplasmic region that contains the genome (DNA), ribosomes and various sorts of inclusions.<br> | ||
3) On the outside, flagella and pili project from the cell's surface. These are structures (not present in all prokaryotes) made of proteins that facilitate movement and communication between cells. | 3) On the outside, flagella and pili project from the cell's surface. These are structures (not present in all prokaryotes) made of proteins that facilitate movement and communication between cells.<br> | ||
Eukariotic cell | Eukariotic cell | ||
The main distinguishing feature of eukaryotes as compared to prokaryotes is compartmentalization: the presence of membrane-bound organelles (compartments) in which specific activities take place. Most important among these is a cell nucleus | The main distinguishing feature of eukaryotes as compared to prokaryotes is compartmentalization: the presence of membrane-bound organelles (compartments) in which specific activities take place. | ||
Most important among these is a cell nucleus - an organelle that houses the cell's DNA. This nucleus gives the eukaryote its name, which means "true kernel (nucleus)". | |||
==Suggested resources regarding the proposed projects/topics== | ==Suggested resources regarding the proposed projects/topics== | ||