The typical animal cell viewed using the light microscope which has a magnification limit of about x200. Only the largest features of the cell are visible . The cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm which contains the nucleus.

In this view of the cell using an electron microscope there are more details visible. The cell membrane invaginates to form the endoplasmic reticulum, which permeates the whole of the cytoplasm, forming the nuclear membrane and the golgi apparatus. The mitochondria are visible as double membraned structures. The ribosomes, lysosomes, centrioles and vesicles (small vacuoles) are all clearly visible.