Parts of a Cell

Organelles Just like humans and other living things have organs, cells have organelles.

Plant vs. Animal Plant cells and animal cells are not the same. Many of the same organelles. Some are unique to plants or animals.

Cell Wall Supports and protects plant cells.

Cell Membrane Protects the cell from the outside world. Found in plant and animal cells.

Cytoplasm Holds the other organelles in place inside the cell membrane. Found in plant and animal cells.

Nucleus Brain of the cell. Holds all of the genetic material. Found in plant and animal cells.

Mitochondria Produce energy for the cell to use. Found in plant and animal cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Mazelike transport system of the cell. Carrying proteins from one part of the cell to another. Found in plant and animal cells.

Ribosomes Produce proteins in the cell. Located on the endoplasmic reticulum. Found in plant and animal cells.

Golgi Bodies Packages and distributes materials around the cell. Found in both plant and animal cells.

Chloroplasts Turns sunlight into energy in plant cells. Gives plants their green color.

Vacuoles Water filled stack. The storage area for a cell. Very large in plant cells. Small in animal cells.

Lysosomes Breaks down waste in an animal cell.