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Biology SL

SLHL

Chapter 5: Cell Structure

Build cell biology from origin-of-life evidence through prokaryotic and eukaryotic organization, endosymbiosis, microscopy, viruses and rapid viral evolution.

Estimated chapter time: 290 minutes

IB syllabus: A2.1 · A2.2 · A2.3 · SL and HL

Chapter Topics

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  1. 1How to Read This Cell Structure Chapter
    1. 1.1Three Questions Organize the Chapter
    2. 1.2Diagrams Are Models, Not Portraits
    3. 1.3Move Across Scales Without Skipping Causes
  2. 2Unicellular and Multicellular Organization
    1. 2.1One Cell Must Coordinate Every Life Function
    2. 2.2Differentiation Creates Division of Labour
  3. 3Prokaryotic Cell Structure
    1. 3.1A Small Cell Is Highly Organized
    2. 3.2The Cell Envelope Controls and Protects
    3. 3.3Cytoskeleton and Binary Fission
  4. 4Eukaryotic Compartments and Cell Types
    1. 4.1The Nucleus Organizes Genetic Information
    2. 4.2The Endomembrane System Routes Proteins and Lipids
    3. 4.3Energy Organelles and the Cytoskeleton
  5. 5Atypical Cells and Endosymbiosis
    1. 5.1Atypical Organization Serves Specialized Function
  6. 6Microscopy, Magnification and Resolution
    1. 6.1Magnification and Resolution Answer Different Questions
    2. 6.2Electron Beams Reveal Ultrastructure
    3. 6.3Images Require Geometric Interpretation
  7. 7Chapter Synthesis: Boundary, Compartment and Evidence
    1. 7.1Boundaries Make Biological Individuals Possible
    2. 7.2Structure–Function Inference Has Limits
    3. 7.3Historical Explanations Use Converging Tests

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