Explain why a bacterial cell is described as a prokaryotic cell, and describe two ways in which the structure of a bacterial cell differs from the structure of a plant cell.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Model answer (5 marks)
A bacterial cell is prokaryotic because its DNA is not enclosed in a membrane‑bound nucleus – the genetic material is free in the cytoplasm.
Two structural differences from a plant cell are:
1. Bacterial cells are much smaller (≈1–2 µm) than plant cells (≈10–100 µm).
2. Bacterial cells lack membrane‑bound organelles such as chloroplasts and a permanent central vacuole, and their cell wall is made of peptidoglycan rather than cellulose.
Two structural differences from a plant cell are:
1. Bacterial cells are much smaller (≈1–2 µm) than plant cells (≈10–100 µm).
2. Bacterial cells lack membrane‑bound organelles such as chloroplasts and a permanent central vacuole, and their cell wall is made of peptidoglycan rather than cellulose.
Examiner tips
- State the key feature of prokaryotes first (no nucleus).
- Give two contrasting structural points, using the exact terms from the mark scheme.
Mark scheme (5 marks)
- A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus / the genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus
- Bacterial cells are smaller / prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells
- Bacterial cells have no chloroplasts (whereas plant cells do)
- Bacterial cells have no vacuole / no permanent vacuole (whereas plant cells have a permanent vacuole)
- Bacterial cells have a cell wall made of a different material (not cellulose) / plant cell wall is made of cellulose but bacterial cell wall is not
Key terms in this question
Related
- All AQA A-Level Biology (7402) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
More Cell Structure questions
- Explain why the nucleus is described as the 'control centre' of a eukaryotic cel…
- Explain why a cell with a large number of mitochondria is likely to be very acti…
- A student looks at a plant cell and an animal cell under a microscope. The stude…
- Explain why a student examining a cell under a light microscope might conclude t…
- Explain why a eukaryotic cell is able to carry out more complex functions than a…
- Explain why a cell membrane is found in both plant cells and bacterial cells, an…