Shadowing Practice: Structure and Function of a Prokaryotic Cell (Bacteria) - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Today we are going to take a closer look at the structure and function of a prokaryotic cell.
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Prokaryotic cells are the simplest and smallest living organisms.
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They are estimated to have been on earth for 3 .5 billion years.
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Prokaryotes can be divided into bacteria and archaea.
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Prokaryotes are found in many different environments, including soil, water and the human body.
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The structure of a typical prokaryotic cell consists of several components.
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Firstly, many bacteria have an outermost layer of carbohydrates that is called the capsule.
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The capsule is sticky and helps the cell attach to surfaces in its environment.
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Also, prokaryotes possess a cell wall surrounding the cell.
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The cell wall provides structural support and protection for the cell.
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The composition of the cell wall can vary between different types of prokaryotic cells, but it is typically made up of peptidoglycan,
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a complex polymer of sugars and amino acids.
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Next, the inner of the cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane
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that acts as a barrier between the inside of the cell and the external environment.
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The plasma membrane is made up of lipids and proteins and is selectively permeable, meaning that only certain molecules can pass through it.
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Inside the cell there is a region called the cytoplasm.
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The cytoplasm is a gel -like substance that contains all of the cell's components and is site of many cellular processes.
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Not all, but many prokaryotes possess flagella.
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A flagellum is a long whip -like structure that allows the cell to move through liquid environments.
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Again, not all, but some prokaryotic cells have appendages such as pili.
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Pili, also known as fimbriae, are short hair -like structures that help the cell attach to surfaces or other cells.
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This attachment is important for several bacterial processes, including colonization, biofilm formation and infection.
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Prokaryotic cells have a circular piece of DNA called the nucleoid.
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The nucleoid contains all the genetic information of the cell and is not surrounded by a nuclear membrane like in eukaryotic cells.
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In addition to the nucleoid, prokaryotic cells may also contain plasmids, small circular pieces of DNA that can be transferred between cells.
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One of the most important organelles in the cytoplasm of a prokaryotic cell is the ribosome.
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Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins which are the building blocks of life.
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Despite their simplicity, prokaryotic cells are capable of carrying out all of the necessary functions of life,
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from growth and reproduction to responding to environmental stimuli.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Structure and Function of a Prokaryotic Cell”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: cell, prokaryotic, prokaryotes, structure, environment. This video has 32 sentences and 453 words to shadow. The speech runs for 3:12. The speaker talks at a steady 142 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 74% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| membrane noun | /ˈmɛm.bɹeɪn/ | A mechanical, thin, flat flexible part that can deform or vibrate when excited by an external force. |
| surround verb | /səˈɹaʊnd/ | To encircle something or simultaneously extend in all directions. |
| component noun | /kəmˈpoʊ.nənt/ | A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device. |
| possess verb | /pəˈzɛs/ | To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own. |
| circular adjective | /ˈsɜɹ.kjə.ləɹ/ | Of or relating to a circle. |
| plasma noun | /ˈplæzmə/ | A state of matter consisting of partially ionized gas and electrons. |
| attach verb | /əˈtæt͡ʃ/ | To fasten, to join to (literally and figuratively). |
| capsule noun | /ˈkæps(ə)l/ | A membranous envelope. |
| acid noun | /ˈæsɪd/ | A sour substance. |
| helpful adjective | /ˈhɛlp.fl̩/ | Furnishing help; giving aid; useful. |
| soil noun | /sɔɪl/ | A mixture of mineral particles and organic material, used to support plant growth. |
| layer noun | /ˈleɪ̯ɚ/ | A single thickness of some material covering a surface. |
| liquid noun | /ˈlɪk.wɪd/ | A substance that is flowing, and keeping no shape, such as water; a substance of which the molecules, while not tending to separate from one another like those… |
| genetic adjective | /d͡ʒəˈnɛt.ɪk/ | Relating to genetics or genes. |
| composition noun | /ˌkɑm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ | The act of putting together; assembly. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| carry out verb | /ˈkæ.ɹi aʊt/ | To hold while moving it out. |
| check out verb | To record the departure or withdrawal of someone or something (such as guests, employees, books, etc.). | |
| pass through verb | To go through, to travel through, to transit or lie across a place or from one place to another. |
Pronunciation to watch
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: composition /ˌkɑm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/, infection /ɪnˈfɛkʃən/, structural /ˈstɹʌk(t͡)ʃəɹəl/, reproduction /ˌɹiːpɹəˈdʌkʃən/, colonization /kɔlənɪˈzɛjʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: composition /ˌkɑm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/, reproduction /ˌɹiːpɹəˈdʌkʃən/, simplicity /sɪmˈplɪsɪti/, organism /ˈɔɹ.ɡəˌnɪz.əm/, prokaryote /pɹoʊˈkæɹi.oʊt/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like membrane, surround, component.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.