Cell Structure Notes # 2

Organelles: tiny structures inside cells that perform all of the cell functions

organelles 1. Cell membrane: a thin, flexible outer covering of a cell. It controls what enters and leaves a cell 2. Cytoplasm: gel-like fluid inside a cell; mostly water, other organelles are embedded in the cytoplasm. Many cell reactions happen in the cytoplasm. 3. Nucleus: contains the DNA, a cells genetic material; the control center of the cell 4. Vacuole: storage center, holds water/waste/food *plant cells usually have one or more large vacuoles that help provide support and water for the plant *animal cells have small vacuoles and some cells don’t have any

More organelles 5. Chloroplasts: large, green structures that contain chlorophyll; where plants make food through photosynthesis. 6. Mitochondria: energy producing sites in the cell where cellular respiration takes place. *called the “powerhouse” of the cell *cells that need large amounts of energy, like muscle cells, will have more mitochondria 7. Cell wall: a rigid layer of cellulose that surrounds plant cells to give extra support and shape to plants 8. Lysosomes: “digest” material within the cell *contain enzymes that break down food, worn out organelles and cell waste not needed for metabolism

Comparing plant and animal cells Organelle name Cell membrane Present in Plant cell YES Present in animal cell cytoplasm nucleus vacuole One or two, Large Small, may not have any chloroplast NO mitochondria Cell wall lysosome Rarely

Plant Cell