Cells and

Organelles

Cell Theory

1. All living things are made up of one or

more cells

2. The cell is the simplest unit that can carry

out all life processes

3. All cells come from pre-existing cells

Organelles

Organelle: a cell structure that performs a

specific function for the cell

Animal Cellnuclear

membrane

nucleus

nuclear pore

nucleolus

endoplasmic

reticulum

(rough)

Golgi

apparatus

vesicle

cell membrane

mitochondria

cytoskeleton

vacuole

ribosome

cytoplasm

centrioles

Plant Cell

Cellular

membrane

Mitochondria

Cytoskeleton

Vacuole

Ribosome

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

Endoplasmic

reticulum

Golgi

apparatus

Vesicle

Chloroplast

Cell wall

Cell Membrane

Structure

Semi-permeable bilayer surrounding the

cell.

Function

Controls the entry

and exit of materials

between the cell

and the extracellular

environment.

Cell Wall

Struture

Rigid, porous structure composed of

cellulose

Function

Provides support and

protection

Found in plant cells but not in animal cells

Chloroplast

Structure

Double-membrane, oval-shaped, green

Function

Carries out the process of photosynthesis

(converting sunlight energy into glucose)

Found in plant cells but not in animal cells

Cytoplasm

Structure

Jelly-like material that fills the cell and

contains the organelles

Function

Allows movements

of materials throughout

the cell

Site of many chemical

reactions

Cytoskeleton

Structure

Composed of microfilaments and tubules

Function

Provides a structural framework for the cell

Can act as “tracks” for organelles

Endoplasmic ReticulumStructure

Membrane bound network of tubes

Can be smooth (no ribosomes) or rough (ribosomes)

Function

Connected to the

nuclear membrane

Transports materials

throughout the cell

Golgi Body

Structure

Membrane bound sacs, found in stacks

Function

Collect and package materials from the cell

for secretion (transport out of cell)

Mitochondrion (mitochondria)

Structure

Small, double-membraned, oval structures

Function

Site of cellular respiration (conversion of

glucose and oxygen to carbon dioxide,

water, and energy)

Nuclear MembraneStructure

Very thin, semi-permeable bilayer surrounding the

nucleus

Function

Separates and protects

the contents of the

nucleus and controls the

entry and exit of materials

Nuclear Pore

Structure

Small channels in the

membrane of the nucleus

Function

Allows the passage of

materials (e.g. ribosomes)

into and out of the

nucleus

Nucleolus

Structure

Non-membrane bound

region in

the nucleus

Dense area composed

of protein and

nucleic acids

Function

Site of ribosome

production

Nucleus

Structure

Large membranebound sphere in the cell

Connected to endoplasmic reticulum

Function

Contains genetic information in the form of chromatin (DNA)

Controls the cell’s activities

Ribosome

Structure

Small complex machinery usually represented by

small spheres. Composed of RNA and protein.

Function

Can be found free floating in the cytoplasm or

bound to the endoplasmic reticulum

Aids in protein production

Vacuole

Structure

Membrane bound sacs

Much larger in plant cells

Function

Storage of water, food,

wastes, and other materials

Helps maintain

turgor pressure

in plant cells

Vesicle

Structure

Small membrane

bound sacs

Function

Can be used to

transport materials

into and out of

the cell

E.g. Fuse with

lysosomes used for digestion