Classifying organisms as eukaryotic or prokaryotic
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the common features of the cells of eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
Key learning points
- The common features of animal and plant cells.
- Animals, plants, fungi and protists are made up of cells with a nucleus in which their genome is stored.
- Organisms made of cells with a nucleus are classified as eukaryotic organisms.
- Common features of bacteria cells, including cell membrane, cell wall, plasmids and storing the genome in the cytoplasm.
- Organisms made of cells without a nucleus are classified as prokaryotic organisms.
Keywords
Nucleus - A sub-cellular structure that contains chromosomes made of DNA molecules.
Genome - The entire genetic material of an organism.
Eukaryote - A cell or organism which has a cell membrane, cytoplasm and genetic material enclosed in a nucleus.
Plasmid - A small ring of DNA found in a bacterial cell.
Prokaryote - An organism whose cell has cytoplasm and a cell membrane surrounded by a cell wall. The genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus.
Common misconception
Pupils might think that all eukaryotic cells have the same cell components.
Draw pupils' attention to the differences between the different types of eukaryotic cells. Focus on the presence of a nucleus, mitochondria, and, in plant cells, chloroplasts, as identifying characteristics of eukaryotic cells.
Teacher tip
Ensure that pupils are familiar with the concept of unicellular and multicellular organisms at the beginning of the lesson so that they can recognise that some eukaryotes are unicellular and some are multicellular.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The genetic material of a cell is composed of a chemical called ...
Q2.Which sub-cellular structure contains DNA?
Q3.What is a unicellular organism?
Q4.Which of the following organisms are multicellular?
Q5.Which sub-cellular structure is the site of respiration?
Q6.Which of the following is part of a plant cell but not part of an animal cell?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are eukaryotes?
Q2.Which of the following are membrane bound sub-cellular structures?
Q3.Which of the following are features of eukaryotic cells but not prokaryotic cells?
Q4.Is a cell with a diameter of 0.2 μm prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Q5.What is the name given to the small rings of DNA that are sometimes found in prokaryotic bacterial cells?
Q6.Which type of organism has cells that have DNA enclosed in a nucleus but no cell wall?
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Classifying organisms as eukaryotic or prokaryotic, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 combined science lesson on: Classifying organisms as eukaryotic or prokaryotic, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Classification in modern biology unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.