In conclusion, flagella are few and long in relation to cell size; cilia are numerous and short. The flagella and cilia are used for motility and cilia also move substances along the surface of the cells. On the other hand, the cell walls of most algae and some fungi consist of cellulose. The main material of fungal call walls is chitin. Animal cells are surrounded by a glococalyx; this makes the cell stronger and provides a means of attachment to other cells. In addition, the eukaryotic plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer containing proteins.
Eukaryotic plasma membranes contain carbohydrates attached to the proteins and sterols. Thus, eukaryotic cells can move materials across the plasma membrane by the passive processes used by prokaryotes, in addition to active transport and endocytoses.
Reference:
1. Costerton, J. W. (2001). “The bacterial glycocalyx in nature and disease. ” Annual Review of Microbiology. A thorough discussion of the functions of the glycocalyx. 2. Ferris, F. G. and Beveridge, T. J. (2005). “Functions of bacterial cell surface structure.
” BioScience. Includes ultrastructures and functions of the cell wall, capsules, and flagella. 3. Henrichsen, J. (2003). “Twitching motility. ” Annual Review of Microbiology. Describes a newly observed locomotion that is not related to flagella. 4. Thomas, l. (2004). The Lives of a Cell: Notes of Biology Watcher. New York: Viking Press. Thoughtful and entertaining essays by a physician and researcher, including essays on evolution of eukaryotic cells and importance of microbes.