A eukaryotic cell is bounded by a membrane, filled with cytoplasm, and packed with organelles — each a specialised "machine". Press ▶ Play to highlight each organelle and read what it does.
The nucleus stores the DNA and runs the cell. Mitochondria release energy as ATP by respiration. Ribosomes read the instructions and build proteins — on the rough ER, then packaged by the Golgi.
The thin cell membrane is selectively permeable: it lets useful substances in, keeps wastes moving out, and holds everything together. Animal cells have only this membrane on the outside.
A plant cell has everything an animal cell has, plus a rigid cell wall (cellulose, for support), chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole (keeps the cell firm/turgid). Switch the tab to compare.
In the exam: a boxy cell with a wall, green chloroplasts and a big vacuole is a plant cell. A rounded cell with just a membrane and no chloroplasts is an animal cell. Both share nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, ER and Golgi.