Cell Structure and Function

Essential Question: How can cell structure enable a cell to carry out basic life functions?

Nucleus

Controls most cell processes

and is where the DNA is located.

Chloroplast

Captures energy from the sun and

converts it into food.

Cytoplasm

The liquid part of the cell in which other

organelles float.

Ribosome

Free floating in the cytoplasm and are

responsible for protein synthesis.

Mitochondrion

Converts chemical energy stored in the

food we eat into ATP energy.

Cell wall

Found only in plants, the cell wall

provides much of the strength plants

need to stand against the forces of

gravity.

Cell Membrane

Serves as a barrier and protects the

cell. It is made of a double layered

sheet called a lipid bilayer.

Passive Transport

The movement of materials across the cell

membrane without using energy.

Diffusion

The driving force behind the movement

of many substances across the cell

membrane.

Facilitated Diffusion

Proteins in the lipid bilayer act as

channels for large molecules to pass

through the cell membrane.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a

semipermeable membrane from

an area of high concentration to

an area of low concentration.

Active Transport

The movement of materials across the

cell membrane against a concentration

gradient and requires energy.

How Osmosis Works

A - Isotonic Solution

B - Hypotonic Solution

C- Hypertonic Solution