Living Environment

Mrs. Giacomin

Cell Structures and Functions

Cell Membrane• Outer membrane of a cell• Controls the transport of

materials into and out of the cell

• Double layered structure made of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins

• Semi-permeable (can select what molecules go in or out of a cell)

Nucleus• Controls all cell activities

• Called the “brain” of the cell

• Where chromosomes are located (DNA)

Nuclear MembraneOuter layer of the nucleus

Controls what passes into or out of the nucleus

NucleolusFound inside the nucleus

Where ribosomes are made

CytoplasmGel between the nucleus

and the cell membrane

Where cell organelles are located

Where most chemical reactions take place

Looks like Jell-O

MitochondriaInvolved in cellular

respiration

Where energy is released for the cell

Endoplasmic ReticulumSystem of channels or

canals that transport materials throughout the cell

Chemical reactions take place on the surface

Can have rough or smooth surface - rough surface is due to ribosomes

Golgi ApparatusA stack of membrane-

bounded channels and vacuoles

They synthesize (make), package and secrete cell products

RibosomesMake proteins from amino

acids

May be attached to the endoplasmic reticulum or may be in the cytoplasm

ChloroplastsInvolved in the

manufacture of food (photosynthesis)

Found only in plant cells

LysosomesMembrane-bounded sacs

Contain digestive enzymes

Involved in food digestion in one-celled animals

Destroy damaged or old cell parts in multi-cellular animals

VacuolesSac-like structures used

by the cell to store food, water and wastes

CentriolesFound in animal cells

Involved in cell division

Cell WallOuter layer of a plant cell

Supports and protects plant cells

Made up of cellulose (carbohydrate)