# 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.

> AQA A-Level Biology (7402) — 3.2.1 Cell Structure · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. A prokaryotic cell has no nucleus / the genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus
2. Bacterial cells are smaller / prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells
3. Bacterial cells have no chloroplasts (whereas plant cells do)
4. Bacterial cells have no vacuole / no permanent vacuole (whereas plant cells have a permanent vacuole)
5. 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

- [prokaryotic cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/prokaryotic-cell)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Biology (7402)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-bacterial-cell-is-cd617855) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.