Name:
Date:
Cell Stations
Station 1
The nucleus is pointed out in both cell diagrams. The nucleus is an organelle in cells that is
referred to as the control center of the cell. This is because it contains all of the cell’s DNA and
coded instructions for making protein and other important molecules. Prokaryotic cells have
DNA that is not contained in a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells have DNA within a nucleus.
1. Which image is a prokaryotic cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
2. Draw the image of the prokaryotic cell here:
Station 2
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are different in the way the inside of the cell is organized.
Eukaryotic cells contain several different organelles, each with their own membrane, to keep its
contents separate from the rest of the cell. Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound
organelles. Image 1 is a eukaryotic cell and image 2 is a prokaryotic cell.
3. Fill in the Venn diagram to compare and contrast the types of organelles found in
prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, and both.
Organelles found in eukaryotic cells
Both
Organelles found in prokaryotic cells
4. Which cell is more organized and complex, eukaryotic or prokaryotic?
5. Which cell is simple compared to the other, eukaryotic or prokaryotic?
Station 3
Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic, meaning that they have a nucleus with a membrane,
but the two cells also have their own differences. Both plant cells and animal cells have cell
membranes, but plant cells have an additional organelle surrounding the cell membrane that
animals do not have.
6. What is the name of this structure that surrounds the cell membrane in plant cells
only?
7. What biomolecule makes up this organelle, giving the cell structure and support?
(Hint: This biomolecule is also a source of energy).
Station 4
Plant and animals cells have different methods of obtaining energy. Plants use energy from the
sun and convert it to energy they can use in photosynthesis, which occurs in the organelle
called the chloroplast. Animals break down sugars to release energy stored in bonds in a
process called cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondrion. Since plants and animals
have different methods of obtaining energy, they have different organelles that specialize in
their method of getting energy.
8. Which image is a plant cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
9. Which image is an animal cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
Station 5
In addition to the differences from Station 3 & 4, plant and animal cells also differ in that plant
cells have a large central vacuole, while an animal cell has a few smaller ones.
10. Which image shows the diagram of a plant cell, Image 1 or Image 2?
11. Draw the diagram of the plant cell with the central vacuole to illustrate how large it
is. Label all organelles you draw in your picture.