Cells and Their Parts

Cells and Organelles  Cells -- are the basic unit of structure and provide the function for all living things.  Cells are like factories; many people and machines do different jobs. Cells have different parts and each part has a specific role or job.  Organelles -- Means tiny little organs, these are the structures that make up the inside of the cell and do the different jobs.

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

The Organelles of the Cell

Nucleus  The nucleus is the control center of the cell. It contains the chromosomes.  The nucleus controls all of the activities of the cell, including what molecules to build.

Chromosomes  Chromosomes are found in the nucleus.  Chromosomes direct the production of proteins in the cell.  Chromosomes are responsible for cell growth and reproduction.

Cell Membrane  The job of the cell membrane is to regulate what comes in to and out of the cell.  The cell membrane is semipermeable; some things can enter and some can’t.

Cell Membrane  Materials enter and leave the cell in 3 ways. 1.Diffusion -- molecules move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. 2.Osmosis -- is the diffusion of water in to and out of the cell. 3.Active Transport -- process of picking up a substance and carrying it in to or out of the cell.

Cytoplasm  The inside of a cell is filled with a gel- like substance that organelles float in.  The cytoplasm holds all of the organelles and the nucleus in place.

Mitochondria  Is known as the powerhouse of the cell.  It is responsible for providing energy that the cell needs in order to function.

Vacuoles  Vacuoles are the storage tanks of the cell.  They store food, water and wastes for the cell.  Vacuoles are much larger in plant cells than in animal cells.

Lysosome  Lysosomes are the recyclers of the cell.  They contain enzymes which break down dead and aging cell parts and waste.  They also digest toxins, invading organisms, and big food particles.

Endoplasmic Reticulum  Is the site of the manufacture and transport of proteins.  The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a folded structure that holds the ribosomes.  Ribosomes build proteins and the ER helps transport them.

Golgi Apparatus  The Golgi apparatus is like a mail room; its function is to receive, sort, package, and then deliver proteins.  These proteins are used within the cell or are sent out of the cell.  They look like a stack of deflated balloons.

Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells

Cell Wall  Cell walls are ONLY found in PLANT cells.  Cell walls are responsible for support and protection of plant cells.  The cell wall surrounds the cell membrane in plant cells.

Very Large Vacuoles  Vacuoles store water, nutrients, and wastes in plant cells.  In plant cells, they can take up to 90 % of the space inside of a cell.  They keep plant cells from bursting.

Chloroplasts  Chloroplasts are found in Plants, Bacteria and Protists.  Photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts; this is how plants make food.  Chloroplasts are green because they contain chlorophyll.