Looking Inside Cells Section 1-3

The cell wall protects and supports the plant cell.

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell.

The nucleus is the cell’s control center The nucleus is the cell’s control center. It directs all of the cell’s activities. Three parts: Nuclear membrane Nucleolus Chromatin (DNA)

The cytoplasm is the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus The cytoplasm is the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus. It is a clear, thick, gel-like fluid.

Mitochondria produce most of the energy needed by a cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum Endoplasmic reticulum is a maze of passageways that carry proteins and other materials from one part of the cell to another. Ribosomes produce proteins in the cell. Endoplasmic reticulum Ribosome

The Golgi bodies receive proteins and other newly formed materials from the endoplasmic reticulum, package them, and distribute them to other parts of the cell.

Chloroplasts capture energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell. They are only found in autotrophic organisms. Chloroplasts

Vacuoles store food, water, waste products and other materials needed by the cell. Plant cells have large vacuoles.

Lysosomes release chemicals that break down large food particles into smaller ones.

Bacterial cells do not have a nucleus.

Cells in multicellular organisms are often quite different from one another. Specialized cells are found only in multicellular organisms.