Cell Organelles

Cell Membrane Found: Bacteria (B), Plants (P), Animal Cells (A) Structure: Made of fat and protein molecules Constantly moving and fluid-like because it’s made of liquid fats Function: Acts as a filter and passageway for things moving in and out of the cell. Goal: keep the bad stuff out, let the good stuff in

Cytoplasm Found: B, P, A cells Structure: Jellylike fluid that is mainly made of water Function: Suspends and supports the cell’s organelles. Place where many of the cell’s most important chemical activities occur.

Nucleus Found: P, A cells Structure: Round and surrounded by a membrane that protects DNA and lets messages go in and out of the nucleus Function: Manages cell functions; the DNA inside the nucleus is the instruction manual for the cell’s activities Without the nucleus the cell will be unable to create new cells and will eventually die.

Ribosomes Found: B, P, A cells Structure: Consists of RNA and proteins The smallest organelles Function: DNA (instructions) → RNA (messenger) → amino acids (building blocks) → proteins These proteins are used in your cells’ membranes for building muscles, creating blood cells, enzymes, etc.

Chromatin Found: B, P, A cells Structure: Consists of DNA bound to proteins When cell is ready to divide, chromatin condenses into chromosomes Function: Contains genetic information that it passes from one generation to the next

Endoplasmic Reticulum Found: P, A cells Structure: A series of interconnecting tubes around the nucleus Rough ER (RER) has ribosomes Smooth ER (SER) has no ribosomes Function: RER - helps the ribosomes finish making the proteins SER - makes molecules of fat (lipid) to be used in the cell’s membranes and throughout the body.

Golgi Apparatus Found: P, A cells Structure: A series of flattened membranes with vesicles extending from all sides usually near cell membrane Function: Takes proteins and fats made by SER and RER and stores packages and sends them whenever needed. The cell’s own UPS service

Lysosome Found: P, A cells Structure: Contains several different enzymes similar to enzymes in digestive systems. Function: Breaks down material from damaged organelles, some food molecules and any toxic substance in the cell.

Mitochondria Found: P, A cells Structure: Has a highly folded inner membrane that surrounds a fluid called the matrix Function: The place where the energy stored in glucose (sugar) molecules is finally released so it can be used to power all the cell’s functions.

Cytoskeleton Found: B, P, A cells Structure: Comes in 3 different shapes and is made of protein Function: Like a freeway system used to relay messages throughout the cell Gives support to the cell and its organelles and assists in cell division.

Vacuoles Found: P, A cells Structure: Contains water, food, waste, and/or pigments. Function: A storage bin for the cell. It stores water and/or pigments Animal Cell Plant Cell

Chloroplasts Found: P cells ONLY Structure: Has internal membrane structure that looks like stacks of pancakes Function: Place where photosynthesis occurs Energy from the sun is used to make glucose (sugar) here

Cell Wall Found: P cells Structure: Made of carbohydrates Has large holes throughout its surface Function: Provide structure, shape and stability for the plant (it’s like a skeletal system for the plant) Because of the holes in its surface it lets most things pass through it, even things harmful to the cell.