Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Part 2: Eukaryotic Cell Structures
Cytoplasm Location / Structure: The region of a cell between the cell membrane and the nucleus; made of a jelly-like watery fluid called the cytosol Function: “cushions” the organelles
Cell Membrane Location / Structure: Also called the plasma membrane A barrier that surrounds the cytoplasm Separates the inside of cells from the outside environment Function: Regulates passage of materials into and out of the cell
Nucleus Location / Structure: Found at the center of the cell Contains DNA Surrounded by a double- membrane with holes (aka pores) to allow passage of materials (not DNA) into and out of the nucleus Function: Controls the activities of the cell
Nucleolus Location / Structure: A spherical structure found at the center of the nucleus Function: Creates (synthesizes) ribosomes… see next slide for a description of ribosomes
Ribosomes Location / Structure: Found floating in the cytoplasm and attached to the rough ER Very small Made of RNA and protein Function: Make proteins
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Location / Structure: Tubes and sacs made of membrane Has ribosomes on its surface Function: Make proteins (due to ribosomes) Transport materials (like proteins) around the cell… it is the highway of the cell!
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Location / Structure: Tubes and sacs made of membrane Does not have ribosomes on its surface Attached to the Rough ER, farther out from the nucleus Function: Makes lipids Breaks down toxins
Golgi Apparatus Location / Structure: Another system of tubes and sacs made of membrane close to the cell membrane Function: Vesicles (spheres of membrane) carry materials (ex: proteins from the Rough ER) to the Golgi and from the Golgi to release materials at the membrane Called the “post office” because it repackages materials and sends them out of the cell
Lysosomes Location /Structure: small, spherical organelles that contain enzymes float in the cytoplasm Function: enzymes can digest carbs, lipids, DNA, RNA, old organelles, viruses, bacteria Only found in animal cells
Mitochondria Location / Structure: Has a double membrane, inner membrane is folded Function: powerhouse of the cell; produces energy! Question: In what types of cells would mitochondria be the most numerous?
Chloroplasts Location / Structure: only found in plant cells double membrane stacks of “disks” inside inner membrane green due to pigment “chlorophyll” Function: Sunlight energy is captured by chlorophyll and converted to energy stored in sugars like glucose during photosynthesis
Vacuole Location / Structure Floating in the cytoplasm, sphere of membrane surrounding fluid Found in plants and animals, but large and in the middle of the cell in plants Function: Stores waste, water, food, etc.
Cell Wall Location / Structure: Outer barrier on plant cells Made of cellulose, a tough polysaccharide Function: supports and protects the cell
Cytoskeleton Location / Structure: a “mesh” of three types of long protein strands located in the cytoplasm Function: a structure to maintain the shape and size of cells (like our skeletons!)
Cilia / Flagella Location / Structure: hair-like organelles that extend from the surface of the cell cilia are shorter and more numerous flagella are longer and less numerous Function: Movement
Centrioles Location / Structure: Made of the same types of proteins found in the cytoskeleton arranged in cylinders (look like “churros”) Found only in animal cells Function: Assist with cell division