Cell Organelles Unit 4
What is an organelle? Remember, organelles are like “little organs” that help a cell work.
Here are the important organelles…
Nucleus FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The nucleus is where DNA is located in Eukaryotic cells WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The nucleus is in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have a nucleus. ANALOGY: The nucleus is like the principal’s office because that’s where all the important school information is located.
Mitochondria FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The mitochondria converts chemical energy stored in food into smaller chemicals that are easier for the cell to use WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The mitochondria is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have mitochondrion. ANALOGY: The mitochondria is like the power in a school because it gives energy to keep things going
Chloroplast FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The chloroplast captures energy from the sunlight and converts (changes) it into chemical energy through photosynthesis WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The chloroplast is only found in plant cells. ANALOGY: The chloroplast is like the solar panels on a school that absorb sunlight and turn it into energy.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum and Ribosomes FUNCTION: The endoplasmic reticulum is the site of protein synthesis (where proteins are made) WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The ER is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have ER. ANALOGY: The endoplasmic reticulum is like the copy room in a school where the copiers are putting papers together for the students.
Golgi Apparatus FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The golgi apparatus modifies (changes), sorts, and packages proteins for storage or secretion WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The golgi apparatus is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have a golgi apparatus. ANALOGY: The golgi apparatus is like the teacher in a school that sorts and passes out the papers.
Cell Wall FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The cell wall provides extra support and protection for plant cells. WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The cell wall is only located in plant cells. ANALOGY: The cell wall is like the fence around the school.
Cell Membrane FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The cell membrane protects and supports the cell and regulates what enters and leaves WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The cell membrane is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane. ANALOGY: The cell membrane is like the walls and doors in a school. They let things in and out depending on size.
Vacuole FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The vacuole stores water and nutrients for the cell WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The vacuole is located in most eukaryotic cells. Plant cells have a HUGE vacuole while animal cells have small vacuoles. ANALOGY: The vacuole is like the stockroom in a school where supplies are stored for projects
Ribosome FUNCTION: WHERE IS IT LOCATED? ANALOGY: The ribosome synthesizes (makes) the protein WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The ribosome is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have a ribosome. ANALOGY: The ribosome is like the copier in the school who puts the papers together for the students.
Cytoplasm FUNCTION: The cytoplasm is the portion of the cell outside of the nucleus WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The cytoplam is located in all eukaryotic cells, so both plant and animal cells have a cytoplasm. ANALOGY: The cytoplasm is like all the hallways in a school where there is empty space.