Essential Knowledge 2.B.3

Eukaryotic cells maintain internal membranes that partition the cell into specialized regions.

Internal membranes facilitate cellular processes by minimizing competing interactions and by increasing surface area where reactions can occur.

Membranes and membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells localize (compartmentalize) intracellular metabolic processes and specific enzymatic reactions.

(examples to include - endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, chloroplasts, Golgi, nuclear envelope.)

Archaea and Bacteria generally lack internal membranes and organelles and have a cell wall.

Students should be able to:

LO 2.13 Explain how internal membranes and organelles contribute to cell functions.

LO 2.14 Use representations and models to describe differences in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.